Cranberry White Chocolate Bread

 Our cute next door neighbors bring us baked goods frequently.  The last she brought was this delicious Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Bread.  They brought it warm while Michelle and Brian were visiting, and it was devoured within minutes. I begged the recipe and was surprised how easy it is.  Like my neighbor said, "It's almost a crime how easy it is." I have made it several times.  You can easily double the recipe.  Eat one/ Share one.  You can alter this same basic recipe to make all kinds of breads.  See the suggestions below.  

You have to try this.  You will be glad.

Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Bread

3 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp yeast

2 cups room temperature water- start with 1 1/2 cups and add more as needed.

Mix the flour, salt and yeast until combined in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and  1 cup of white chocolate chips.  Add the water until it isn't dry, but not too wet.  Cover with saran wrap and let it sit for 6 to 24 hours. (That's a big window.  It rises slowly, so I think any time in there works.  I usually rise it overnight.)

 Then stir the risen bread once to release the air.  Grease a bread pan with oil.  Place the dough in the pan and let rise for an hour covered with a dish towel.  Bake at 400 for 30 minutes (put another bread pan on top or a dish).  After 30 minutes , take the covering off and bake another 10 minutes.  

Other options:

- Use 1 cup of wheat flour in place of 1 cup of the white flour

Instead of the cranberries and white chocolate chips, try adding:

-1/2 cup of shredded cheese and 1 diced jalapeno for Jalapeno Bread.

- 1/4 cup chopped almonds, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, and 1/4 cup flax seeds for nutty bread

-1/2 cup raisins and 2 tsps. cinnamon for cinnamon raisin bread