Tuesday, December 22, 2015

LYNN BEAN'S DECADENT CHRISTMAS ORANGE/CRANBERRY BREAD

After seeing Lynn Bean post a wonderful Decadent
 Orange/Cranberry Bread, (click for recipe) I decided it was a "must bake"!  


I did everything just as Lynn's recipe suggested except I also added 2/3 cup of chopped dried apricots.  The only other suggestion I have is that in the past I found chopping the cranberries makes them all taste sweeter so I make sure 
each one is opened with a chop!


I have done some serious baking this Christmas and tried some things I've always wanted too. I make mistakes too.  You know like dumping the cake out too soon and it sticks.  I try to make a note of my mistakes so I can avoid them the next time. Have you been baking?  It has been great fun!




Every day my husband and I joke about "not having to go to work" and believe me I am so happy to be retired.


My husband had a big glass jar on the floor by his desk where he always throws his pocket change.  Today he took it to the bank and dumped in the machine.  He came in the door later and asked me to guess how much it was.  My guess was - $47.47 and he just laughed.  He said no - "it was over $400.00". 
 Can you imagine that?  I said, let's go to the grocery store!



22 comments:

  1. That looks so yummy! Wow on the change! My spouse does the same thing, and he counted his the other day too :) Merry Christmas to you and your family, Bernideen. xoxo Su

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  2. Grocery store! Hilarious. Thought you'd say let's go to the antique store! The loaf looks amazing!

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  3. Hi Bernideen, isn't that bread so beautiful looking? It looks great on your lovely table too! I can almost taste it!
    Looking forward to meeting you in the New Year. Until then, have a blessed and happy Christmas!
    Sending hugs,
    Gina

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  4. Love anything with orange and cranberries. The dried apricots would make it even more special.

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  5. I plan on making Lynn's cranberry bread, too, Bernideen! Yours looks so tasty and I love it on the pretty platter. I'm so happy that you're enjoying retirement. I couldn't believe that there was $400 in the jar! My goodness! Happy grocery shopping with all the extra money!

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  6. Dear Bernideen, your decadent Christmas orange/cranberry bread looks super delicious! So happy for you that you are enjoying your retirement and have now time to do the things more that you love.
    Unfortunately I haven't done any Christmas baking this year, yet, simply haven't had the time. But I hope that I will bake us some goods over the holidays.
    Your post is certainly very motivating to do so!
    Warm regards,
    Christina

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  7. The bread looks wonderful. WOW! $400 in pocket change? That is really cool! Happy shopping!

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  8. Oh MY! Sweet Bernideen! You are too kind! The bread looks so pretty on your table! Thank you so much for making it and posting about it. That truly humbles and overwhelms me! The suggestions are great ones and the next time I make it I certainly will try it! The apricots sound delicious with it! This was the best Christmas present I could have received! Have a most wonderful Christmas my friend! (I would say your hubby is a saver! Sounds like treat time to me!)

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  9. Oh my, Bernideen, your bread looks fabulous! Surrounded by all that red transferware, who could resist a slice or two, or three?? Yum! I plan to make it too after Christmas. Yes, I've been baking and I must admit, I'm tired! Tonight it's a double batch of donuts and tomorrow my pies, then I'm done until next week.
    Wow! It really pays to save your pocket change! Nice surprise! Merry Christmas, my friend, and enjoy the holidays with those you love.

    Blessings & hugs,
    Sandi

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  10. That bread looks delicious and I may try it however an 8 year old grandson ask me to make him a blackberry cobbler for Christmas :) isn't that sweet ? so Grandma Jan will be making 2 cobblers for Christmas one for a sister also
    I really like your centerpiece and can't wait for you to get settled in Missouri

    Merry Christmas ' Janice

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  11. Delicious, and I like the idea of adding the dried apricots. Icing on top makes it special too!
    Funny how fast the change can add up and speaking of money - when we travel to Florida in February it is costing us $1.40 for one US dollar. :-( (maybe more by then but we have committed)
    Merry Christmas Bernideen.

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  12. I do love the combiniation of oranges and cranberries. I am adding this recipe to my list of bakings plans for the new years.

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  13. Thanks for visiting my blog Bernideen and I am so happy to come by to visit yours! The bread looks so delicious and your table is very sweetly decorated. I usually do a lot of baking for Christmas but didn't do as much this year. I will have to step it up next year and add this lovely bread to my baking!

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  14. Your cranberry bread looks so yummy!....Christine

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  15. *Drool*
    The bread looks divine, so moist and full of fruit, what could be a better loaf for Christmastime.
    $400 what a lovely surprise, I see a new teapot in your future...lol
    Wishing you both a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year !
    ~Jo

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  16. That looks fantastic! Have a very Merry Christmas!

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  17. That looks so yummy! I just finished putting together the Kentucky Butter Cake featured at Estelle's. I'm running late.

    Loved the story about the change! Hope that you didn't spend all of it at the grocery store, though I know it is easily possible.

    Merry Christmas!

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  18. The orange cranberry bread looks delicious! Happy holidays to you and your family!

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  19. Hi Bernideen,
    This looks so inviting.

    Just popping in to wish you a Merry Christmas.

    Blessings,
    Carolyn
    p.s. I sent you an email as well

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  20. Hi Bernideen,
    My email failed again so if you could sent me your new email address I will resend it...thanks!
    Carolyn

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  21. That looks so yummy:)LOL to the grocery store.
    Wish you a Blessed Christmas!

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  22. Looks pretty decadent!
    I have to bake a rich dark fruitcake every year.
    Merry Christmas!

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