Cranberry Swirl Loaf

Total Time Prep: 30 min. + rising Bake: 40 min. + cooling
Yield 1 loaf (16 pieces)
Test Kitchen Approved
My mother's made this bread for years, but she uses date filling. I loved her bread so much that I made my own, with cranberries for a slightly tart filling with the sweet streusel topping—sometimes I add a simple icing. Each slice reveals an enticing ruby swirl. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) quick-rise yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk
  • 1/3 cup butter, cubed
  • FILLING:
  • 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
  • TOPPING:
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cold butter, divided
  • GLAZE (optional):
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons 2% milk

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, yeast, salt and 1 cup flour. In a small saucepan, heat water, milk and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine cranberries, brown sugar and water. Cook over medium heat until cranberries are soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter, lemon juice and, if desired, walnuts. Cool.
  4. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 20x10-in. rectangle. Spread filling to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Transfer to a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan, arranging in a slight zigzag fashion to fit.
  5. For topping, in a small bowl, combine flour and sugar; cut in 1 tablespoon butter until crumbly. Melt remaining butter; brush over dough. Sprinkle with crumb mixture. Cover with a towel; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°.
  6. Bake until golden brown and dough is cooked through, 40-45 minutes. Carefully remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. If desired, combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over bread.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 210 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

My mother's made this bread for years, but she uses date filling. I loved her bread so much that I made my own, with cranberries for a slightly tart filling with the sweet streusel topping—sometimes I add a simple icing. Each slice reveals an enticing ruby swirl. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Recipe Creator
Community Cook

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC