"A Sabbatical with Tea & Cranberry Bread".....

Hello Everyone, Sorry to have been gone for ever so long!...I have been working, working & working getting pillow orders out & just this morning sent off the last one!.....OMGoodness?.....Didn't quite plan on being so busy till now??......but very thankful for the business & wow!...what lovely clients I have had this year!

So now, this afternoon, I am not quite sure what to do?....The house is decorated, very pretty I must say!.....cards have been sent & my yearly "Cookie Party" was held a week ago to rave reviews!.....There is wrapping to do & a bit of baking as well, but this afternoon marks the beginning of my "sabbatical"...I could say "vacation from work", but "sabbatical" sounds so much more interesting!....
After a cup of tea & a slice of cranberry bread,..... I will get my fancy papers & ribbon out & begin creating the loveliest of packages.....but for this moment, I am relishing in the idea that my deadlines have been met.... & the holidays now have my permission to unfold slowly......

Off to to the kitchen for that tea & cranberry bread!.....& have included the recipe for you too!....It is incredibly good!!!...It is more of a "cake" than a bread & one that once tried you will make for ever & ever!.....Please let me know how you love it!

Thank you for stopping by to chat!......

Love, Heidi XO
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"Heidi's Cranberry Bread"

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

1t. vanilla

1t. lemon juice

2 eggs (well beaten)

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4 cups flour

1t. baking powder

1t. baking soda

2 cups buttermilk

2 cups frozen cranberries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

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Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Makes 2 loaves.

Bake for 60-70 minutes, approximately.

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In a large bowl or mixer, Cream together the sugar & butter....mix well. Add eggs. Add both vanilla & lemon juice; mix well. Sift together flour, baking powder & baking soda. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, along with the buttermilk. Beat well. Add cranberries & walnuts.

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Grease two loaf pans. I prefer the long French-style ones. Split the dough between the pans. Sprinkle generously with granulated sugar & bake. When loaves are done baking, remove from the oven. Melt 3/4 cup butter in a pan or microwave. Proceed to pour 1/2 of the butter over each loaf. Allow to cool approx. 10 minutes. While still warm, remove from pan & allow to come to room temperature. Can be enjoyed warm from the oven or fully cooled.

*Hint: delicious toasted, too!