Delicious Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread Recipe

When I first encountered Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread, it was during a quiet autumn morning at a small bakery tucked away in a New England town. The sunlight filtered softly through frost-edged windows, casting a pale glow over a wooden table where a warm loaf sat resting, inviting and fragrant. The scent was unmistakable—earthy walnuts mingling with the tartness of cranberries, layered under a subtle whisper of cinnamon. My grandmother shared that morning with me, her eyes gleaming as she reminisced about how her mother would make a similar walnut cinnamon loaf every fall, connecting generations through this homemade fruit nut bread.

That morning was more than just a shared breakfast; it was a memory spun through time. The warmth of the oven mixed with the crispness of the morning air, the gentle crunch of walnuts against the soft crumble of bread, and the slow-release tang of cranberries. The Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread held stories—of seasons, family, and the quiet joy found in breaking bread together. This bread felt like a bridge between the past and present, a humble ritual wrapped in its rustic cinnamon bread crust.

Inviting you to join me, I’d like to walk through this artisan bread recipe with you. From the grains and spices to the kneading and baking, each step carries meaning. The Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread isn’t just an ordinary loaf; it offers both flavor and stories worth sharing. Let’s unfold those layers and savor the moments behind the bake.

The Components

Ingredients laid out for Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread including flour, walnuts, cranberries, raisins, cinnamon and olive oil

The beauty of Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread lies in ingredient quality. Here’s what transforms good artisan bread recipe into memorable food.

  • 3 ½ cups bread flour: Choose bread flour for its higher protein content, which gives the crumb structure and chewiness essential to this walnut cinnamon loaf. If unavailable, all-purpose flour is acceptable but results may be slightly less elastic.
  • 1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast: Look for fresh yeast in well-sealed packages; its freshness will directly impact your bread’s rise.
  • 1 teaspoon salt: Opt for sea salt or kosher salt for more nuanced flavor; iodized table salt can be too sharp.
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar: This helps activate the yeast and subtly sweetens the homemade fruit nut bread.
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: Use fresh ground cinnamon to avoid bitter, stale notes. This rustic cinnamon bread owes much of its warmth to this spice.
  • 1 cup dried cranberries: Find these at farmers markets or specialty stores. They add tart bursts amid the sweet raisins.
  • ½ cup raisins: Choose plump, naturally sweet raisins to complement the cranberries.
  • 1 cup walnuts, chopped: For the best crunch and flavor, lightly toast your walnuts before folding them into the dough. This step unlocks oils and deepens the taste.
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F): Temperature matters here. Too hot can kill your yeast; too cold slows fermentation.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil: Adds moisture and softness, balancing the dryness of dried fruit and nuts.

I prefer using locally sourced flour and walnuts when possible. Seasonal cranberries bring additional vibrancy, making this Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread a reflection of place and time. The combination might feel elaborate, but each holds an essential role—never overwhelming but always contributing to a harmonious whole.

The Process

This step in making Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread requires attention and patience. The dough’s transformation tells a story from grain to loaf.

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, stir the yeast and sugar into warm water. Let this sit for 5-7 minutes, watching the surface bubble and foam. This signals the yeast is alive, ready to work through your rustic cinnamon bread dough.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine the bread flour, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk these so the spices disperse evenly. Proper distribution ensures your walnut cinnamon loaf carries that subtle cinnamon warmth throughout.
  3. Combine wet and dry: Add olive oil to your yeast mixture, then gradually fold in the flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until it begins forming a sticky dough. Your Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread dough should feel tacky but manageable.
  4. Add fruit and nuts: Fold in cranberries, raisins, and toasted walnuts carefully. Avoid overworking the dough, which can toughen it. These pockets of texture should remain gently enveloped within the dough’s structure.
  5. First rise: Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Set it somewhere warm, away from drafts. This artisan bread recipe benefits from a slow rise, about 1 to 1.5 hours, until the dough doubles. During this time, yeast activity softens the gluten, developing flavor.
  6. Shape the loaf: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Shape gently into a round or oblong loaf. This step lets you witness the dough’s elasticity and how the fruit nut bread holds its shape.
  7. Second rise: Place your loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet or into a floured banneton basket if you have one. Cover and let rise again for 45 minutes. The surface should feel springy to a gentle poke.
  8. Score and bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Score the top of your Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread with a sharp knife to allow steam escape. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is deeply golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
  9. Cool properly: Transfer the bread to a wire rack. Cooling is critical to complete baking inside and to avoid gummy crumb. The aroma at this stage—the mingled spice and nut oils—is simply unforgettable.

Repeated making of this homemade fruit nut bread shows how sensitive bread dough can be to ambient temperature and ingredient moisture. Each loaf becomes a dialogue between careful technique and the playful unpredictability of fermentation. For those interested in a no-knead alternative, resources such as the No Knead Cinnamon Raisin Bread provide alternative techniques worth considering for different kitchen moments.

Bringing It to the Table

Sliced Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread served with butter and honey

This Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread pairs beautifully with morning rituals and afternoon gatherings alike. Freshly sliced and lightly toasted, it welcomes a smear of butter or a drizzle of honey.

Consider serving this Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread when guests wander in for a cozy Sunday brunch, where its rich, textured crumb stands up to thick cream cheese or nut butters.

Beyond spread toppings, this walnut cinnamon loaf complements sharp cheeses such as aged cheddar or tangy goat cheese, making it a natural for cheese boards during holiday meals.

For a savory twist, pairing this rustic cinnamon bread with turkey dishes—the tart cranberries echo familiar festive flavors. I often think back to my own adaptation inspired by a fusion of holiday dishes, including the fascinating Turkey Cranberry Quesadillas that weave cranberry into unexpected yet delightful contexts.

Seasonal variations using dried tart cherries or even fresh cranberries when in season also bring fresh notes to this Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread. Bread and company go hand in hand, and friends consistently respond to its inviting aroma and comforting taste with surprise and delight.

Common Questions

What makes this Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread different from similar dishes?

Its layered inclusion of cranberries, raisins, walnuts, and cinnamon creates complex yet balanced flavors. Unlike simpler fruit breads, this walnut cinnamon loaf achieves a harmony between chew and crunch, sweet and spice, which many find memorable.

Can I prepare this Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread in advance?

Yes. The dough can be mixed and refrigerated overnight for a slower fermentation. This method elevates flavor depth. Just remove it an hour before baking to come to room temperature.

How do I know when my Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread is properly done?

The crust should be a deep golden brown, and when tapped, the bottom of the loaf should sound hollow. Internal temperature ideally rests around 200°F. Avoid under-baking to prevent a dense crumb.

Is it possible to substitute ingredients?

Absolutely. For a gluten-free version, a blend of gluten-free flours can work, though texture differs. You can swap walnuts for pecans or almonds depending on what’s on hand. Raisins can be replaced with currants or chopped dates. I’ve also seen Multigrain and cranberry walnut artisan bread recipes that add layers of grains and seeds to this foundation.

How long does this Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread stay fresh?

Typically, it keeps for about 3 days at room temperature, wrapped in a linen towel inside a bread box. For longer storage, slice and freeze. Toast slices to revive texture.

Can I make this bread in a bread machine?

Yes, though you’ll need to add nuts and fruit at mixing completion to avoid overprocessing. Bread machines handle the dough well, but the open-kneaded crust of artisan bread is harder to replicate.

Where can I find detailed step-by-step guides?

For no-knead methods and crusty variations, Sally’s Baking Addiction offers a thoughtful Crusty Cranberry Nut No-Knead Bread that shares techniques adaptable to this loaf’s style.

Closing Thoughts

This Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread is worth your effort because it stitches together flavors, textures, and moments into more than nourishment. Bold insights from years of baking include:

  • Quality ingredients like fresh walnuts and ripe cranberries transform simple starch into memorable artisan bread.
  • Patience in fermentation deepens flavors beyond anything rapid methods can deliver.
  • Small variations, like incorporating different nuts or a splash of orange zest, tailor the loaf uniquely to your kitchen and palate.

Variations tested range from adding a hint of cardamom alongside cinnamon to folding in chopped crystallized ginger for warmth and tang. Each change introduces subtle shifts in aroma and bite, proving how adaptable this homemade fruit nut bread remains.

Personally, this walnut cinnamon loaf holds a place in my baking rotation because it honors seasonality and tradition while encouraging play. Food storytelling through bread invites connection—whether shared with family on a crisp morning or gifted to a neighbor.

So, take your time with this Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread. Trust the process, savor the aroma, and let the stories emerge from each slice. Your kitchen moments are ready for this rich, rustic cinnamon bread.

If you’re curious about similar comforting bakes, my cinnamon love extends to dark banana breads like Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread or warm breakfast favorites such as Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. Each brings its own narrative but shares that common thread of spice, warmth, and storytelling through flavor.

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Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread

This Cranberry Raisin Walnut Cinnamon Artisan Bread is a beautifully textured loaf combining sweet dried fruits and crunchy walnuts with warm cinnamon spice, perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

  • Author: Zylie Brooks
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Let stand until frothy, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and ground cinnamon. Mix well.
  3. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture and stir until a rough dough forms.
  4. Fold in dried cranberries, raisins, and chopped walnuts evenly throughout the dough.
  5. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  6. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
  7. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a Dutch oven or heavy covered pot inside to heat.
  8. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round loaf.
  9. Carefully remove the hot pot from the oven, place the dough inside, cover, and bake for 30 minutes.
  10. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crusty.
  11. Cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, brush the warm bread with a little melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before serving.

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