Well, it is official! It is Christmas time. The music is playing in the background every where you go, people are ringing bells and you have never been more stressed. Here is the good news, I am going to help you all month with EASY recipes, tips, crafts and ideas to make your holiday so much easier. Today I am starting with 2 simple quick breads anyone can make. Just go pick up some foil loaf pans, plastic wrap, and a bow. You will have a simply delicious gift to give!
White Chocolate Cranberry Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Beat together the butter, sugar and eggs till light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla, baking soda and cranberry sauce and mix well. Mix in the baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg and then all of the flour. Do not over beat this! Just stir till all of the dry ingredients are combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips and pecans. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until cooked through. Allow the loaf to cool and then frost with cream cheese frosting.
Mistletoe Pound Cake
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla paste
1 jar red maraschino cherries (drained and chopped)
1 jar green maraschino cherries (drained and chopped)
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl or a in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, salt, baking soda and vanilla paste till combined. Now, alternate a 1/4 cup of sour cream and then the flour. Continue till all of the flour and sour cream are mixed in. Fold in the cherries and pecans. Place in a loaf pan and bake for one hour or until a stick comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool.