Cranberry bread is a bread loaf that has been baked and flavored using cranberry juice, fresh cranberries or dried cranberries. This loaf is commonly seen at the holidays when cranberries are in season and fresh fruit can be used in the baking process. Cranberries are harvested in the fall which provides them for dishes during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday. There are many ways that cranberry bread can be varied to produce a different flavor and texture. Adding other fruit ingredients such as orange juice or raisins will give a new taste to a traditional bread.http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Holidays-and-Events/Christmas/Baking/Cranberry-Bread/Top.aspx

In the 1500's Native Americans found that cranberries could be used to color fabrics, consumed for healing and that they could be used as food. Settlers from Europe also adapted the Native American use for cranberries. In the 1800's, sailors carried cranberries when out to sea, to consume and prevent them from getting scurvy. It wasn't until 1816 that cranberries began to be cultivated and the growing techniques began to emerge. Cranberries are grown in bogs using sand and peat to fertilize the vines. Once the fruit ripens, the bogs are flooded to allow cranberries to rise to the surface. They are then skimmed and harvested. http://www.cranberries.org/cranberries/history.html

Creative additions can provide a different balance of flavor for cranberry breads. http://allrecipes.com//Recipes/holidays-and-events/christmas/baking/cranberry-bread/Main.aspx

• Orange - this citrus fruit is often added to cranberry baking recipes to provide and additional citrus flavor.

• Nuts - walnuts or other types of nuts can be added to cranberry bread recipes

• Raisins - adding raisins or other dried fruit to bread and muffins is a common variation

• Muffins - this dough can not only be used to bake bread loaves but can be used to make muffins or other baked goods.