Let it be said up front that cooking and baking are not my true passion.

We need to eat, so cooking is necessary.

I enjoy it to a point, but I am no Julia Child.

However, Christmas brings out the femme chez in me!

A favorite recipe—which is used frequently for gifting—is cranberry orange nut bread.

Last weekend, a dozen of these delights baked themselves into existence, with the friendly stirring and loving hands of moi.

And so, I give you, Cranberry Orange Nut Bread!

CRANBERRY BREAD. (One Loaf)

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons shortening

3/4 cup orange juice

1 well beaten egg

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (coarsely chopped)

½ cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.  Stir in orange juice and egg.  Mix until well blended.  Stir in cranberries and nuts. Turn mix into a 9 x 5 loaf pan, greased on the bottom only.  Bake 55-60 minutes. Use the toothpick test.  Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove. Cool thoroughly before serving.