Cranberry Orange Loaf

Ingredients and Weight: - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened - 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar - 3 large eggs - 1 cup sour cream - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup fresh cranberries - 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) - 1 cup orange zest (from 2-3 oranges) - 1/2 cup orange juice

Preparation Time: - 20 minutes

Cooking Time: - 60-70 minutes

Difficulty Level: - 2 (Simple)

Preparation Method Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the sour cream.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Fold in the cranberries, walnuts (if using), orange zest, and orange juice.
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information: - Calories: 350 per slice - Fat: 18g - Cholesterol: 105mg - Sodium: 250mg - Carbohydrates: 45g - Protein: 4g

Dish Characteristics: - Moist and tender crumb - Sweet and tangy flavor - Festive appearance

User Comments: - "This loaf is the perfect holiday treat! It's so moist and flavorful, and the cranberries and orange give it a wonderful festive touch." - "I love the combination of sweet and tart in this bread. It's not too heavy, so I can enjoy a slice for breakfast or dessert." - "This recipe is incredibly easy to follow. Even a novice baker can make this delicious loaf."

Special Precautions and Tips: - Do not overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough loaf. - If you don't have fresh cranberries, you can use frozen cranberries, thawed. - To prevent the loaf from browning too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil for the last 20 minutes of baking.