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Crusty Cranberry Nut No Knead Bread

This artisan-style bread is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, studded with sweet dried cranberries and crunchy nuts. Perfect for any meal!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time13 hours 15 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Artisan Bread, Cranberry Bread, Easy Bread Recipe, Homemade Bread, No Knead Bread
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 180kcal

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 cups 3 cups + 2 tablespoons (390g) bread flour or all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast
  • 3/4 cup 3/4 cup (95g) chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 3/4 cup 3/4 cup (105g) dried cranberries

Liquid Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon (21g) honey
  • 1.5 cups 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (about 95°F/35°C)

Instructions

Preparation

  • In a large bowl, use a silicone spatula to stir together the flour, salt, instant yeast, chopped nuts, and dried cranberries.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the warm water and honey. Then, pour this mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl.
  • Use your spatula to mix everything until combined. The dough will be very sticky; resist the urge to add more flour. Shape it into a ball as best as you can.
  • Cover the bowl tightly and leave it at room temperature for 12–18 hours.
  • After resting, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. With floured hands, shape the dough into a ball. It doesn’t need to be perfect!
  • Place the dough on a large piece of parchment paper. Score an 'X' on top using a sharp knife. Put the dough in a bowl to rest for 30 minutes.
  • While the dough rests, preheat your oven to 475°F (246°C) and put your Dutch oven (with the lid) in the oven for 30 minutes.

Baking

  • Carefully place the dough with parchment into the hot Dutch oven, cover with the lid, and bake for 25 minutes.
  • Then, remove the lid and bake for an additional 8–10 minutes until golden brown.
  • Tap the bread lightly; if it sounds hollow, it’s done. For accuracy, the inside should reach 195°F (90°C).
  • Remove the hot pot from the oven, take out the bread, and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use a heavy pot like a Dutch oven, which helps trap steam and creates a crusty outer layer. You can add cinnamon or orange zest for extra flavor. Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.