Healthy Cranberry Bread

I looked in our fridge and saw we had a bag of cranberries to eat. Usually, we use the entire bag to make just cranberry sauce. This time, I decided to try something different and used half of the bag to bake yummy bread instead. My recipe is somewhat based off Martha Stewart's Cranberry Bread* in her Everyday Food magazine, except mine is healthier.

Healthy Cranberry Bread

Fresh cranberries folded into a delicious bread to create a scrumptious, breakfast pastry.

Prep Time: 15 min

Total Time: 1 hr

Yields: 2 mini loaves of cranberry bread (Serves: 8)

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 c all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c light-brown sugar
• 1 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1 t salt
• 1 egg white
• 1/3 c skim milk
• 1/2 bag (6 oz) cranberries

Baking Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Spray mini loaf pans with cooking spray and set aside on a cookie sheet. In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. In a medium bowl, combine butter, egg white, and milk. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and whisk to combine. Finally stir in cranberries.
2. Pour bread batter into the mini loaf pans. Bake for 20-25 min or until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. 
3. Let cranberry bread cool for 20 min. Serve warm or wrap in saran wrap and place in the refrigerator for tomorrow's treat. 

*Websites Cited

"Cranberry Bread." Martha Stewart Recipes. Martha Stewart Living, n.d. Web. 13 Jan 2013. <http://www.marthastewart.com/314213/cranberry-bread>.

The Milwaukee Domes

The Milwaukee Domes ~ Milwaukee, WI

Another favorite place to tour and take amazing pictures.
 (On this post are pictures from inside the Desert and Tropical Domes)


Full Name: Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory Domes
Nickname(s): Milwaukee Domes, The Domes, Mitchell Park Domes

Location: 524 South Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53215

• Consists of three different themed domes including the Desert (Arid) Dome, Tropical Dome, and Show Dome
• Each filled with many plants and animals from various climates around the world

Website: http://www.milwaukeedomes.org/  

Festive Caramel Bars

This recipe is from my mom's collection of holiday sweets and treats. She usually likes to make caramel bars, but this year we made these Festive Caramel Bars. 

Festive Caramel Bars

Cook Time: 30-35 min

Total Time: 50 min

Ingredients

• 32 individual wrapped caramels
• 2/3 c evaporated milk
• 1/2 c margarine, melted
• 1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 c uncooked quick oats
• 1 2/3 c (10 oz pkg) Nestlé Toll House® Holiday Morsels
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 c flour

Baking Instructions

1. Combine caramels and evaporated milk in heavy saucepan; cook over low heat. Stir occasionally until caramels are melted and mixture is blended.
2. Combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the melted margarine, mixing until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup top layer. 
3. Press remaining mixture onto bottom of greased 9 x 13-in baking pan. Bake at 375° F for 10 min.
4. Sprinkle 1 cup of holiday morsels over partially baked crust. Drizzle melted caramel mixture over morsels. Sprinkle over reserved crumb mixture and remaining holiday morsels on top. 
5. Continue baking 20-25 min or until golden brown.
6. Cool slightly; chill for 30 min. Cut into bars.