Pumpkin Cranberry Bread (So Good!)

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread tastes delicious during the fall and winter months. It features multi-grain flours, plenty of fall spices, and dried cranberries. It is the best healthy pumpkin bread. Thick slices taste delicious toasted for breakfast with a slather of butter. Read on to learn everything you need to know about making this Pumpkin Bread with Cranberries.

Making this Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

Want to experiment with Grinding Your Own Flours and Using Whole Grains? This recipe for Multi-Grain Pumpkin Cranberry Bread is a great place to start!

This recipe features white whole wheat, spelt, barley, and oat flours!

While I’ve already made some headway with a few of my 2012 goals, I still have a couple more that I need to get to work on. This January for the Eat Well, Spend Less Series we’re taking a look at our 2012 Food Resolutions. How does this relate to Multi-Grain Pumpkin Cranberry Bread?

One of my 2012 Food Resolutions is to eat a larger variety of grains. I mentioned that our family is great about using freshly ground white whole wheat flour as a substitute in many of our favorite baking recipes.

Last year I adapted our family’s favorite waffle recipe to create “Healthier” Whole Wheat Waffles, a recipe we still enjoy quite frequently and feel much better about eating.

But I’d like to take it a step further. I want to experiment with using other grains besides whole wheat to bake with. I came up with this delicious recipe for Multi-Grain Pumpkin Cranberry Bread.

Tools to Prepare this Pumpkin Bread with Dried Cranberries

You’ll need a few different kitchen tools to prepare this pumpkin cranberry bread recipe. I recommend that you have the following items on hand:

• Measuring Spoons and Cups – to measure the ingredients for the recipe.
• Microwave Safe Bowl or Glass Measuring Cup – to melt the butter.
• Large Mixing Bowl – you’ll want a large bowl to combine the dry ingredients.
• Medium Sized Mixing Bowl – to combine the liquid ingredients.
• Wire Whisk – to whisk the wet ingredients together.
• Silicone or Rubber Spatula – to stir the pumpkin bread batter and scrape the sides of the bowl.
• Parchment Paper – to line the baking pans.
• Standard Sized Loaf Pans – to bake the dried cranberry pumpkin bread.
• Wire Racks – to cool the baked loaves.

What’s in this Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Recipe

This moist pumpkin bread is delicious and full of all the amazing fall flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare it:

Wet Ingredients

• Melted Butter
• Milk
• Large Eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• Pumpkin Puree

Dry Ingredients

• Spelt Flour
• White Whole Wheat Flour
• Barley Flour
• Oat Flour
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Pumpkin Spices: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Ginger, and Cloves
• Cardamom
• Granulated Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Dried Cranberries

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make this pumpkin cranberry bread, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

1. First, preheat the oven. After that, line pan(s) with parchment paper or grease with butter.
2. Then, combine flour (all varieties) with the baking soda, salt, spices, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk well to ensure ingredients are fully combined.
3. After that, in another mixing bowl, combine the butter, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree.
4. Next, pour the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture. Gently stir to combine. Then, fold in the cranberries.
5. Transfer batter into prepared loaf pan or pans (depending on the size and number you plant to bake).
6. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool loaves of bread in pans on a wire rack.

The above is simply a quick summary of this pumpkin bread with cranberries. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for Making this Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

Intimidated by baking with whole grains and flours other than all-purpose flour? Believe me – I was too! So I thought I’d offer a few of my tips. Check them out here: Tips for Whole Grain Baking.

Make sure you’re using pure pumpkin puree if you plan to use canned pumpkin. Don’t use pumpkin pie filling – it has lots of other ingredients added. If you like, make your own pumpkin puree: How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree.

Stir gently, just until the wet ingredients and dry ingredients are combined. You don’t want to beat the batter when making quick bread, like this dried cranberry pumpkin loaf recipe.

Try different sized loaves. Make a large loaf of pumpkin bread or several mini loaves, but keep an eye on the bake time. Smaller loaves will bake significantly faster while large loaves may take longer than the listed bake time.

Cranberry Pumpkin Bread Recipe FAQs

Got questions about how to make this delicious pumpkin cranberry bread recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

Do I have to use the different flour types?

I have also prepared this recipe using all-purpose flour in place of the multi-grain flours. You’ll want to use 3 cups or 360 grams of all-purpose flour.

When should I serve this?

Quick breads like this are perfect during the fall season and winter holiday season for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

You could always add some icing or cream cheese frosting on top to make it more of a dessert if you prefer.

How should I store leftover pumpkin cranberry bread?

Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container or a sealed storage bag.

Can I freeze this pumpkin cranberry bread?

​Yes! Cool the bread completely. Then, wrap tightly in plastic wrap. After that, transfer to a gallon freezer bag.

Can I Make this Dairy-Free?

I have not tested this pumpkin quick bread with any dietary substitutions, but my recommendation would be to use unsweetened oat milk in place of the cow’s milk.

Then, try using a mild flavored cooking oil instead of melted butter. If it is a dairy intolerance and not an allergy, some people can get away with using Ghee or clarified butter instead of butter because the milk fats are removed.

I would not use coconut oil as the flavor is too pronounced.

What Can I Use Instead of Cranberries

If you don’t want to use dried cranberries, or don’t have any, chocolate chips would be the perfect addition to this pumpkin bread recipe.

Can I Substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice?

Yes! You can definitely use pre-mixed pumpkin spice seasoning instead of measuring the individual spices.

You should use 4 1/2 teaspoons in place of the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cloves. You should still add the 1/8 teaspoon cardamom.

Try this Cranberry Pumpkin Bread at Home

Next time you’re looking for new pumpkin bread recipes to try, give this Cranberry Pumpkin Bread a try!

Did you think it was the perfect addition to pumpkin season? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this Pumpkin and Dried Cranberry Bread!

More Healthy Pumpkin Recipes to Try

Oatmeal Pumpkin Smoothie is the perfect way to celebrate fall with your kids! Pumpkin smoothies are easy to prepare, super healthy and full of all your favorite fall spices.

Pumpkin and Turkey Black Bean Chili is a great fall chili recipe with tons of flavor. Even better, it’s super easy to make!

Celebrate fall with these easy to make Pumpkin Chai Chocolate Chip Granola Bars featuring oats, real pumpkin puree, chai spices, mini chocolate chips, and pepitas.

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal is a great make-ahead oatmeal recipe with all the delicious flavors of your favorite pumpkin pie while still providing great nutritional value to start your morning off right.

Still Want More Pumpkin?

Be sure to check out these 25 Pumpkin Recipes to Try this Fall – So, if like me, you have a pumpkin hoarding problem you now have a very good excuse. I’ve just shared my favorite Pumpkin Recipes for you to try this fall.

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Have you ever made pumpkin bread with cranberries?