Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread has been a cherished delicacy in my family for years. Its enticing aroma and delightful combination of flavors make it a standout choice for any occasion. Join me as I take you through this culinary adventure and share the secrets behind this beloved recipe.
What is Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread?
Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread is a delectable homemade bread infused with the sweet tanginess of dried cranberries and the earthy crunch of walnuts. This bread is a perfect blend of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds craving for more.
What Makes This Recipe Different From Other Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread?
Our family recipe for Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread stands out for its perfect balance of sweetness, nuttiness, and tanginess. The secret lies in the quality of ingredients and the precise measurements that ensure a flawless outcome every time.
How Does It Taste Like?
The first bite of Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread is a revelation. The soft, pillowy texture of the bread combined with the bursts of sweetness from the cranberries and the crunch of the walnuts create a symphony of flavors in your mouth. Each bite is a delightful journey of taste and texture that will have you coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour serves as the base ingredient for the bread dough. Its protein content provides structure to the bread while allowing it to rise properly during baking. It also gives the bread a tender crumb texture.
- Coarse sea salt: Coarse sea salt enhances the flavor of the bread by adding a subtle salty taste. It also helps to strengthen the gluten structure of the dough, resulting in better texture and rise.
- Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast: Platinum yeast is a type of instant yeast that provides leavening action to the bread dough. It allows the bread to rise efficiently and produces a light and airy texture. Its instant activation makes the bread-making process quicker and more convenient.
- Chopped nuts: Chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the bread. They provide contrast to the soft crumb of the bread and contribute to its overall deliciousness.
- Dried cranberries: Dried cranberries add sweetness and tanginess to the bread, as well as chewy texture. They provide bursts of flavor throughout the loaf and complement the nuttiness of the chopped nuts.
- Honey: Honey acts as a natural sweetener in the bread dough. It adds sweetness and moisture to the bread, enhancing its flavor profile. Honey also helps to tenderize the crumb and gives the bread a subtle floral aroma.
- Warm water: Warm water is used to activate the yeast and dissolve the honey. It helps kick-start the fermentation process, allowing the yeast to feed on the sugars in the dough and produce carbon dioxide gas, which causes the bread to rise.
- Orange zest: Orange zest adds a bright citrus flavor and aroma to the bread. It provides a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the honey and dried cranberries, adding complexity to the flavor profile of the bread.
Step by Step Directions:
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine 400 gram of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of instant yeast, 3/4 cup of chopped nuts, 1 tablespoon orange zest and 3/4 cup of dried cranberries.
- Gently stir the dry ingredients together until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey over the dry ingredients in the bowl.
- Pour in 1 and 1/2 cups of warm water (around 95°F or 35°C).
- Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir the ingredients together until they form a sticky dough. Avoid overmixing; it’s okay if there are some lumps.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
- Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 12-18 hours. During this time, it will double in size and develop bubbles on the surface.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
- Once the dough has risen, lightly flour a clean work surface.
- Carefully transfer the dough onto the floured surface.
- With lightly floured hands, gently shape the dough into a rough ball. It doesn’t need to be perfect; the rustic look adds to its charm.
Step 5: Score and Rest the Dough
- Using a sharp knife or bread lame, score an X into the top of the dough ball.
- Cover the dough loosely with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and helps improve the bread’s texture.
Step 6: Preheat the Oven
- About 15 minutes before the dough has finished resting, preheat your oven to 475°F (246°C).
- Place your Dutch oven or heavy-duty pot with its lid inside the oven to heat up.
Step 7: Bake the Bread
- Once the oven and pot are preheated, carefully remove the hot pot from the oven.
- Lift the parchment paper with the dough and place it gently into the preheated pot.
- Cover the pot with its lid and bake the bread for 25 minutes.
Step 8: Finish Baking
- After 25 minutes, remove the lid from the pot and continue baking the bread for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until it’s golden brown.
- To check for doneness, tap the bottom of the bread; it should sound hollow. Alternatively, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the center of the loaf reaches 195°F (90°C).
Step 9: Cool and Serve
- Carefully remove the bread from the pot and transfer it to a wire rack to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
- Once cooled, slice and serve your homemade cranberry walnut bread.
- Store any leftovers at room temperature in a covered container for up to 1 week.
Tips & Tricks On Making Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread:
– Use high-quality nuts and dried cranberries for the best flavor.
– Ensure the yeast is fresh and active to help the bread rise.
– Knead the dough thoroughly to develop gluten and achieve a soft texture.
– Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place to promote fermentation.
– Brush the baked bread with honey or butter for added shine and flavor.
Nutrition Information:
- Calories: 150-200 kcal
- Total Fat: 5-8 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0.5-1.5 grams
- Cholesterol: 0-5 milligrams
- Sodium: 150-250 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: 25-30 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 2-3 grams
- Sugars: 5-10 grams
- Protein: 3-5 grams
How Do I Store This Dish?
To store Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread, allow it to cool completely and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze the bread for longer storage by placing it in a resealable plastic bag and storing it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What other substitute can you use in Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread?
1. If you prefer a different type of nut, you can substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts for a unique flavor profile.
2. Instead of dried cranberries, you can use raisins, blueberries, or chopped apricots to add a different twist to the bread.
3. For a touch of citrusy flavor, you can replace orange zest with lemon zest or lime zest to enhance the bread’s aroma.
4. To make a gluten-free version of this bread, you can use a gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
5. If you’re looking to reduce the sweetness, you can decrease the amount of honey or substitute it with maple syrup or agave nectar for a healthier option.
Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
- Sharp knife or bread lame for scoring
- Parchment paper
- Dutch oven or heavy-duty pot with lid
- Wire rack for cooling
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup chopped nuts
- 1 Tablespoon pure honey
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
- 400 g all-purpose flour
- 360 ml luke warm water
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine 400 gram of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of instant yeast, 3/4 cup of chopped nuts, 1 tablespoon orange zest and 3/4 cup of dried cranberries.
- Gently stir the dry ingredients together until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey over the dry ingredients in the bowl.
- Pour in 1 and 1/2 cups of warm water (around 95°F or 35°C).
- Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir the ingredients together until they form a sticky dough. Avoid overmixing; it’s okay if there are some lumps.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
- Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 12-18 hours. During this time, it will double in size and develop bubbles on the surface.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
- Once the dough has risen, lightly flour a clean work surface.
- Carefully transfer the dough onto the floured surface.
- With lightly floured hands, gently shape the dough into a rough ball. It doesn’t need to be perfect; the rustic look adds to its charm.
Step 5: Score and Rest the Dough
- Using a sharp knife or bread lame, score an X into the top of the dough ball.
- Cover the dough loosely with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and helps improve the bread’s texture.
Step 6: Preheat the Oven
- About 15 minutes before the dough has finished resting, preheat your oven to 475°F (246°C).
- Place your Dutch oven or heavy-duty pot with its lid inside the oven to heat up.
Step 7: Bake the Bread
- Once the oven and pot are preheated, carefully remove the hot pot from the oven.
- Lift the parchment paper with the dough and place it gently into the preheated pot.
- Cover the pot with its lid and bake the bread for 25 minutes.
Step 8: Finish Baking
- After 25 minutes, remove the lid from the pot and continue baking the bread for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until it’s golden brown.
- To check for doneness, tap the bottom of the bread; it should sound hollow. Alternatively, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the center of the loaf reaches 195°F (90°C).
Step 9: Cool and Serve
- Carefully remove the bread from the pot and transfer it to a wire rack to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
- Once cooled, slice and serve your homemade cranberry walnut bread.
- Store any leftovers at room temperature in a covered container for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Use high-quality nuts and dried cranberries for the best flavor.
- Ensure the yeast is fresh and active to help the bread rise.
- Knead the dough thoroughly to develop gluten and achieve a soft texture.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place to promote fermentation.
- Brush the baked bread with honey or butter for added shine and flavor.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. Can I add other mix-ins to Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread?
Answer: Absolutely! You can get creative with your mix-ins and add ingredients like chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or even seeds like chia or flax for added nutrition and flavor.
Q2. Can I make this bread vegan-friendly?
Answer: Yes, you can easily make this bread vegan by using plant-based milk instead of water and honey. Ensure all other ingredients are vegan-friendly as well.
Q3. How long does it take to make Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread?
Answer: The total preparation and baking time for this bread is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, including rising time. The actual hands-on time is minimal, making it a convenient recipe to whip up.
Q4. Can I bake this bread in different shapes besides a loaf?
Answer: Absolutely! You can divide the dough into smaller portions and shape them into rolls, buns, or even twists for a fun variation on the classic bread recipe.
Q5. Is Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread suitable for special dietary needs?
Answer: Yes, this bread can be modified to suit various dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free by making simple substitutions as mentioned earlier.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread is a versatile and delicious recipe that holds a special place in my heart and kitchen. Its combination of flavors and textures never fails to impress, making it a favorite among family and friends.
By following the step-by-step instructions and incorporating the tips and tricks provided, you can create your own version of this delectable bread and enjoy the delightful experience it offers.
So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and embark on a culinary journey that will surely leave you craving for more of this delightful bread.
