Use up your favorite holiday sauce in this healthy quick bread recipe! This Cranberry Sauce Quick Bread uses homemade cranberry sauce and is gluten-free, vegan, allergy-free and perfect for breakfast, brunch, a snack, or dessert!
Surprise! This is the other homemade cranberry sauce in-action recipe I wanted to bake and share! I got the idea from my apple pie quick bread which uses my homemade slow cooker applesauce. My homemade roasted apple & cranberry sauce was just begging to be made into a fabulous quick bread as well! I was also hoping you’d have some leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving last week, and thus would be in need of a great healthy idea to use it all up!
I’m going to deviate from any food and recipe talk today, but all is well as I’m sure this will be much more interesting than chatting about the beautiful cranberry. So, my brother and I were texting one night a couple of weeks ago (I always forget how much I love talking with him for the heck of it.) This conversation actually wasn’t just for the heck of it and started with me having a breakdown over picking next semester’s classes (as usual). The best person to talk you down from that is your brother who’s been through it.
First of all, my brother is a pretty positive person. He’s still a realist like me, but he’s much better at allowing things to roll off his back of not eat away at him for too long. Maybe it’s just that he doesn’t voice his complaints, but he’s always so level-headed. While I’m freaking out that I couldn’t get permission for certain classes for my intended major, and ended up having to take some random “fluff” classes, I will be taking 2 hard(er) math centered classes. One is a mandatory stats class and another is personal finance. I’m terrible with math and numbers. Horrid, they scare me.
My brother, though, he “knows” I’ll be able to handle it. “Do the best you can”, “They’re only grades”, “You won’t get an F”, “You’re not dumb”, “You can problem solve”. The kind of phrases you need to hear while you’re in crisis mode in the middle of the night. Then we started talking about our futures. He thinks I should “keep building my brand online” and of course I tell him how hard it is with no support and boot-strapping everything on your own (while also being a full-time student with no money). He tells me to start a podcast, a YouTube channel, “to be creative and yes, dedicate all your time to it. But the most important thing is you have to enjoy it. If it becomes work then it won’t work. Yes, it’s very hard. Don’t have any expectations”.
Then came the tough love. I complained about my “numbers” and lacking skills, but he said, “Better than 0 or from scratch. Stop comparing yourself to others. You “suck” compared to what? Who cares about the numbers. The people with the most numbers don’t care about the numbers. The successful ones just do it because they love it. Work to be better, learn how to imporove. It’s a game, but part of the enjoyment should be the challenge. Switch it up and try something new.”
Isn’t he golden? He’s right. He doesn’t even know that those late night texts really helped me out that night and that I’ve been thinking about that quick conversation since. Everything you do or want to do can be seen as a game. If you don’t take things so “life or death” serious, but see it as a “game to be played”, a lot of the burdens, stress, comparison, pressure, starts to evaporate. When you see it as a “game to be played” you free yourself to start trying new things too. If you feel like you’re not “winning” and having fun, then try a new strategy, a new path, ask someone to “join the team”, but most importantly, remember that’s games are meant to be fun. The best thing about “this game” (i.e. life, blogging, a new idea/dream to pursue), is that it doesn’t end until you die. You can keep playing until you either give up and forfeit or…you die. No one else can “beat you” or “win”. This game is solo, like Solitaire. You are your own competition.
Are you going to forfeit or are you going to keep playing? Each small achievement is just another star added, another lesson learned that will help you develop an even better strategy and level up. The missteps that happen teach you what not to do and even if they bring you down a level, the next level will still be able to be unlocked. Just wait and try again until you can level back up and keep progressing further in the game. You keep trying until you defeat your enemies, the little roadblocks along the way. When you come to the “big bosses” to reach that next level, you better try your damn hardest to use everything you’ve learned, all the powers, and strength you have to beat him in one go!
Cranberry Sauce Quick Bread
Cranberry Sauce Quick Bread
Use up your favorite holiday sauce in this healthy quick bread recipe! This Cranberry Sauce Quick Bread uses homemade cranberry sauce and is gluten-free, vegan, allergy-free and perfect for breakfast, brunch, a snack, or dessert!
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 1 Loaf 1x
- Category: Bread, Breakfast, Snack, Dessert, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Quinoa Flour
- 1 Cup Millet Flour
- 1/2 + 1/4 Cup Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- 1 TB Psyllium Husk Powder
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 Cup Granular Erythritol
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Cranberries
- 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 Tsp Allspice
- 1/2 Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/4 Cup Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the extra 1/4 cup cranberry sauce and stir well to form a smooth batter.
- In a well-greased bread pan (8×4 or 9×5), pour the batter in and smooth it evenly throughout the pan.
- Take the ¼ cup of reserved cranberry sauce and pour it in a line down the middle of the loaf. Use a knife to swirl it into the batter a bit.
- Bake the loaf for 40-45 minutes and allow it to cool on a wire rack.
- Enjoy at room temperature or warmed. You can also slice it up and freeze it for later use!
A little Monday inspiration from my smart, bright, insightful, amazing older brother. I really am so lucky to have him in my life. He will forever continue to inspire me and be the best role model to his younger sister (how many siblings can say that?) This cranberry sauce quick bread compliments this post perfectly too. Cranberry sauce always reminds me of my brother (okay, and peanut butter blossoms!) Cheers to you, Jimmy <3 (See you soon!)
So tell me:
+ Your thoughts? Are you ready to take on life (your struggles) as a game to be played?
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Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com
This looks so festive!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Janice | MostlyBlogging
Hi Rebecca,
Your recipe is a hit!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks.
kimmythevegan
“But the most important thing is you have to enjoy it. If it becomes work then it won’t work.”
This is the best advice he could give you, it’s something I try and remind myself of quite regularly as blogging stresses me out when I don’t think I’m being “perfect” at it.
And don’t stress about college too much. I feel like I spent waaaaay too much time stressing and being a big ball of anxiety and didn’t get to really enjoy the experience at all. I bet you’re not as bad at math as you think you are. Getting a bad grade is definitely not the worst thing in the world – everything will work out, it always does!
And as for the bread – glorious! It’s so pretty. My husband is a huge fan of cranberry sauce, but I’ve been looking for something more creative to do with it – this is it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well thank you Kimmy, I hope so!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton
Your brother is amazing. Isn’t it great when someone you love will listen to you, even if they don’t understand the things you do, and come up with some great motivation that cuts right to the chase. He is right, you are amazing and I cannot wait to see where you take things. Good luck with next semester, perhaps the fluff classes will help weigh out the time and frustration in the math classes and you’ll do well in all of them. Good Luck!
Second, that bread looks so delish! I love cranberry bread, and this would be perfect right now for breakfast with my coffee!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Triple thank you, Nikki! xo
Monica Le
I have never ever seen a recipe for cranberry sauce bread before… how unique and wonderful. Love it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you give it a try then!
Fiona Cambouropoulos
what a lovely idea and wonderful photos!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
indah nuria
just like what I need..with less sugar for me 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
And still 100% delicious!
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom
I love cranberry sauce and I’ll bet this recipe is delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Of course, thanks!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
So sweet of your brother to give you the pep talk you needed. So often we just need to hear that it’s all going to be okay from someone who loves us. Keep doing your own amazing thing… like coming up with recipes like this 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, Ellen!
Michele
This looks so pretty. I will pin to try later!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome, thanks!
Farrah
Quick breads are my jam! (Quick anything is pretty much my jam these days.) I haven’t made anything with fresh cranberries in a while (…a year, to be exact) but this looks delicious! :
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Uh oh, we need to fix that!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
Mmmmm that fruity, sweet topping is perfection!!! Bread is better with a ‘lil jam on top, right? This is so festive for the holidays too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A little sweet and color just makes it more joyful 😉
Kimm at Reinvented
Ah, there’s no tough love like a brother’s tough love. 🙂 I love cranberries, I will give this bread a try, it may be this year’s neighbor gift. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!! I’m sure they will love it!
Marla
HI Rebecca,
Wow this looks tasty and perfect for the holidays. Pinned & tweeted!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Thanks!
Annmarie
Oh my! I could so go for some of this right now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is fabulous! Thanks!
nadia
You’re the queen of quick beards! This looks delicious! I’m just waiting for fresh cranberries to start appearing in UK supermarkets!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you dear! Yay for cranberries!
Molly Kumar
There’s nothing like a warm, fresh homemade bread and this one is sure to please our festive spirits.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That’s right!
Chloe
Oh, I love this idea a great alternative to banana bread. A seasonal treat
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This one beats banana!
Anne
I love cranberries and this interesting twist on cranberry bread with homemade sauce!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The sauce is the best way to do it!
Amanda
Your brother is a very wise person. As hard as it is (I remember those late night college freak outs) you are going to reach your end goal. Try to enjoy the journey. Your blog is also amazing. You always impress me with everything you do. I have no idea how you keep up with it all. I really don’t think you sleep! You’ve got this!….and your cranberry bread is awesome!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much, Amanda, that means a lot <3
Uma Srinivas
These looks good . I love the ingredients 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Lindsey
I love anything quick! Looks very nutritious + beautiful color with the berries!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free
What a stunning, vibrant bread Rebecca. I love how absolutely wholesome it is. So hard to find with gluten free bread recipes.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Quick breads are so easy and fun to make!
Sabrina | The Tomato Tart
This bread is amazing especially the cranberry sauce, looks so good and delicious. This would be perfect for breakfast or snack.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A festive way to start the day!
Laura
I love cranberries, and this is a perfect way to make sure none of them go to waste!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Exactly right!
Megan
There is something so extra delicious about quick breads this time of year. Love how festive this is!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Ha, and I just love baking them!
adriana
Oh my god this looks soooo good!!! I love cranberry sauce and of course, love bread – so clearly I need to try this haha!! YUM!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha 😉 I think this will be a winner for you!
Sus // roughmeasures.com
This looks like a great recipe for the festive season, cranberries are underrated if you ask me.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I so agree! Time to change that!
Mandy
Wow, you weren’t kidding – this was a deep post! But you know what??? I LOVED it!!!! I’m 100% with your brother…keep building your brand and dedicate as much time as you possibly can to doing the things you love…and reading your blog shows me that you’re following your passion – you’ve got mad skills, girl! Not only do you pump out a crazy ton of recipes, but you’re really great with words. Your blog stands out to me! I really love that – taking on the struggles as a game to be played! Love it! I’m actually doing that now 🙂 Time to take on a new perspective, right?! Focusing on what we love is what truly matters.
Oh! And this bread looks delicious!!! What a creative use of leftovers! xoxo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You are such a lovely person, Mandy! I think I’m going to print out your comment and add it to my pin board <3
Mandy
Love you, friend!!! ❤️
Audrey
I just love cranberry season. So many wonderful ways to prepare them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, and they are just so beautiful!
Kristina @ Ms.Modify
What a brilliant idea! I love this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, Kristina!
Kasey @ Spill the Greens
Love the blogging wisdom! And this recipe! I always make double the cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving because I love it so much and I store leftovers in the freezer until I use them all up. I’d really like to try throwing it in bread, and I bet the combination of flours you used makes for an awesome flavor.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Yes! I still have some in the freezer too! You never know what idea will pop into your head to use it in 😉
Linda @ Veganosity
First, the bread looks delicious! I love a good cranberry quick bread. Second, tell your brother that I needed his wise advice today. I’m feeling a lot like you were and his words of wisdom made me reboot. 🙂 Good luck with your math classes, you’ll be fine.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect <3 I'm glad he could inspire 😉 Too bad right now he's on vacation with his girlfriend on a tropical island! (<----jealous)
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
cranberry sauce is my favorite for thanksgiving..so definitely using them up in bread sounds fantastic!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just a fun way to keep up with cranberry season!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
That’s a great way to use up cranberry sauce Rebecca.
I’d have never thought of a quick bread with cranberry sauce myself. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I love making new quick breads! #obsessed!
Barbara
Excellent advice and excellent bread.recipe. It looks so moist. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
All from the sauce!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I’m glad I bought extra cranberries and put them in the freezer! I had a feeling I would find ways like this to use them. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! I buy extra every year now!
Mary
I’m a huge fan of cranberries in bread. I think it’s the contrast of sweet and tart, whatever it is I’m hooked.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! When you find the right balance of sweet and tart in the sauce it really works!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
This sounds so good! I love cranberries, so I’m sure I would love this quick bread.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, Emily!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
I’m actually not a cranberry sauce fan but I would totally make it simply for this! YUM! And your bro is right. I don’t look at numbers anymore, I try and focus on the part I love, creating and photography. There are days when I feel like a loser. Days when I’m feeling awesome. It’s definitely a roller coaster but it really is so much easier to not look at stats and numbers and all that. Because the reality is the more time you spend on trying to play the game and beat the system, the less time you have to create amazing stuff which is why people go to your site anyway. Hugs!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I wasn’t a fan until I made the homemade one this year!
Haha, well it’s not so much numbers, but frustration with “the industry”.
Creating my recipes is the only reason I’m still coming back and don’t want to give it up!
Kelly @ TastingPage
I don’t have any leftover cranberry sauce, but this has inspired me to go get some more! Looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Restock/make!
Melinda Mitchell
Yumm!! Rebecca, that looks amazing!! I sympathize with ya on the math junk! It’s brutal!
What a great big bro!! I have 1 like that too, except he’s my little bro!
I haven’t been to see you in way too long!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ha, thank you, and thanks for stopping by!
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate
I am so excited for this quick bread recipe. I love cranberry sauce anything. Yum.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, Chrystal!
Sharon @What The Fork
What a great recipe! I love how easy this looks to make any day of the week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
As long as you have some cranberry!
Heather @Boston Girl Bakes
Ooh I have some leftover cranberry sauce sitting in the fridge all lonely right now…this looks like a great way to use it up!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, perfect!
Elizabeth DiBurro
My son LOVES cranberry sauce. I bet he’d really enjoy this recipe too! Do you think it’d work with canned cranberry sauce? I’ve never made home-made before.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That’s why I have my recipe!
Jovita @ Yummy Addiction
Thanks for the great idea on using up those leftovers. This quick bread looks out of this world good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much, Jovita!
Demeter | Beaming Baker
Yep, comparing yourself to others is never a good idea! Trust me, Rebecca, I’ve been there… It’s just a futile task that’s meant to make you feel bad. I’m so glad that you have a great support system to give you that positive nudge when needed! You got this! 😉 Meanwhile, how amazing does this bread look? Such a great idea to use up that leftover cranberry sauce! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think he is the glue that holds my family together!
Thank you!! I like its bright cherry color best 😉
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands
LOVE my cranberries and this is such a great idea. I was going to do this for breakfast but couldn’t decide on pumpkin or banana bread so just made the girls banana bread muffins until I can decide. Haha. So beautiful and such a great idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Why decide? Make both!
Megan - The Emotional Baker
What great advice – I need to follow it 🙂 Also, I need to make this bread – what a perfect way to use extra cranberry sauce!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes and yes! Double thanks, my friend!
Cricket Plunkett
I just finished off our cranberry sauce, but I’m definitely saving this recipe for next year!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, just make more! Cranberry sauce is an entire winter season thing 😛
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
I have one jar of cranberry sauce left…thanks for showing me what I want to do with it! Gorgeous!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! I hope you put it to good use!
Liz Mays
Thinking of struggles as a challenge and game is a neat twist. I’ll have to try that. In the meantime, I need a slice of that wonderful bread!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The bread can help too 😉
Hauke Fox
Wow, your cranberry sauce looks delish!! Refreshing addition to the bread 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Best way to use it up!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
Rebecca – your brother is Goldne – but so are you! He sounds like he knows his sister well – hang in there – keep at it – and a podcast could be GOLDEN too! BTW – using your homemade roasted apple & cranberry sauce to make this loaf was such a brilliant idea! This loaf sounds wonderful – I wish I had a slice to go with my morning coffee!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you so much, Shashi <3
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
I bet that smells amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Any baked good smells good!
Kate
What great way to use up cranberry sauce! Good luck with the mathematics classes. I hope you get to take the classes you want soon.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Kate!
Jacinta
That looks so delicious! I love cranberry sauce 🙂 yum.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It’s such a lovely topping!
Kristen @A Mind Full MOm
I 4x my cranberry sauce recipe because my son is OBSESSED with it! I have a bit leftover and need to make this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I still have one small baggie left in the freezer!
lindsay Cotter
your brother needs to be a business coach! so motivating! and I agree. Keep positive, build that brand. you got amazing skills woman. and bread! always hehe
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks, Lindsay….as along as we have bread, anything is possible!
Courtney
What a delicious way to use cranberry sauce– and the color is so pretty! This looks like a perfect holiday bread. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I want to gift it up!!! Everyone would love some bright fruity bread 😉
rachel @ Athletic Avocado
wow now this is one perfect way to use up cranberry sauce! I think I would spread even more cranberry sauce on it too 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is a perfect idea 😉