Buttermilk Christmas Bread

Another yummy favorite is this buttermilk bread for Christmas. The variations are endless. It is not a sweet bread, but very flavorful with whatever you put in it. It is best right out of the oven with butter (none of that margarine stuff) schmeared on it. You can also put a simple sugar glaze on top (powdered sugar with a pinch of milk). I like to put Turbinado sugar on top - it makes it sparkle and adds a little crunch. The one I made here is cranberry walnut. If it lasts more than 15 minutes out of the oven, slice and toast the next day - super Yum! These make great gifts wrapped all pretty in clear celophane bags and big ribbons. Include the recipe too.

(The first picture is of the finished bread - The second picture is of the dough -it is sticky and looks like two globs of goo.)

Buttermilk Bread

3 1/2 c flour

3/4 c sugar

1 1/4 c buttermilk

3/4 stick (6 oz) melted butter

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 cup dried fruit (raisins, currants, dried cherries, dried cranberries)

1 cup nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans)

Mix all ingredients until just blended , do not overmix. Dough will be sticky. Spoon dough into two piles onto greased pan. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes. (should be a golden brown)