Every Christmas I make Cranberry Bread and this year when I saw this recipe I knew I needed to try it.    I'm trying to move away from as many processed foods as I can, so this was a perfect fit since it uses fresh cranberries vs. cranberry sauce which is in my usual recipe.

I really liked this bread, it tasted very "fresh", and was a nice change from all the holiday sweets that seem overly sweet (does this make sense?)!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup margarine, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup orange juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 3 mini loaf pans.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Stir in orange zest and cranberries. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together margarine, sugar, and egg until smooth.  Stir in orange juice.  Beat in flour mixture until just moistened.

Pour into prepared pans.  Bake for 1 hour, or until the bread springs back when lightly touched.  Let stand 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.  Store wrapped in plastic wrap.  Makes 3 mini loaves.