RUSTIC CRANBERRY & ORANGE BREAD

Rustic Cranberry & Orange Bread image

Studded with cranberries, slices of pretty bread make the perfect holiday brunch treat. -Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h15m

Yield 1 loaf (16 pieces).

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1-3/4 cups water (70° to 75°)
3-1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon cornmeal or additional flour
1 cup dried cranberries
4 teaspoons grated orange zest

Steps:

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. In a large bowl, mix 3-1/2 cups flour and salt. Using a rubber spatula, stir in yeast mixture to form a soft, sticky dough. Do not knead. Cover; let rise at room temperature 1 hour., Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Pat into a 9-in. square. Fold dough into thirds, forming a 9x3-in. rectangle. Fold rectangle into thirds, forming a 3-in. square. Turn dough over; place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover; let rise at room temperature until almost doubled, about 1 hour., Punch down dough and repeat folding process. Return dough to bowl; refrigerate, covered, overnight., Dust bottom of a disposable foil roasting pan with cornmeal. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead in cranberries and orange zest. Shape into a 6-in. round loaf. Place in prepared pan; dust top with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Cover; let rise at room temperature until dough expands to a 7-1/2-in. loaf, about 1-1/4 hours. , Preheat oven to 500°. Using a sharp knife, make a slash (1/4 inch deep) across top of loaf. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake on lowest oven rack 25 minutes., Reduce oven setting to 450°. Remove foil; bake until deep golden brown, 25-30 minutes longer. Remove loaf to a wire rack to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 129 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 296mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.