Home-BakedGift (NAPSA)—’Tis the season for caroling, entertaining and gift giving. Whether the holiday occasion is a festive brunch or dinner at a friend’s home, a gift for the host is a perfect way to say “thank you.” Skip the traditional bottle of wine and bring a home-baked gift from the kitchen. It’s a great way to add a personal touch and make your gift more memorable than something bought in a store. Quick breads are an excellent baked good to give because they’re simple and delicious. Quick breads don’t require kneading or rising because they’re yeast-free, and most can be assembled in 10 to 15 minutes. For the best-tasting quick breads, follow these foolproof baking tips: * Forget the electric mixer with a basic quick bread recipe. Use a whisk and spatula. * Use a non-stick baking spray with flour, like Baker’s Joy, so your home-baked gifts come out of the pan, perfect every time. * Baked goods bake more evenly in the center of your oven. When baking more than one item, place them in the center, leaving one inch between them. * All ovens are not created equal. Purchase an oven thermometer to be sure your temperature is accurate. * Cool quick breads on a wire rack. This allows the bread to cool onall sides. Try some simple and creative ideas when packaging your homebaked creation. For example, gift wrap baked goods on a holiday serving plate, or put them in decorative bags with gift tags and write seasonal messages on them with a silver paint pen for a festive look. Visit bakersjoy.com for more gift-giving tips, delicious recipe ideas and free downloadable gift tags. CRANBERRY ORANGE BREAD Ingredients % cup butter, softened % cup sugar 1 large egg Juice with from one orange combined with water to make 1 cup 2 cupsall purposeflour 1% tsp. baking powder % tsp. salt 1 cupfresh or frozen cranberries Grated orange rind from 1 orange Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350F (160C), spray 9”x5”x3” pan with Baker’s Joy. 2. Cream together butter and sugar. Add egg and juice mixture, mix well. 3. Sift the flour, baking powderand salt together; add to butter mixture. 4. Fold in cranberries and grated orange to mixture. 5. Pour in pan, bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven,let stand for 10 minutes before removing from pan; cool on cake rack,slice.
