Breads for sharing or giving

Whether it's to share at a holiday gathering or to give as a gift, homemade breads are an easy idea that people love.  Here are two quick bread recipes that are easy to make and taste delicious.

Holiday Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups Meijer white whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground McCormick cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground McCormick nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground McCormick ginger
1/2 cup packed Meijer brown sugar
1/2 cup Meijer granulated sugar
1/2 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 16-oz. can Meijer solid pack pumpkin
3/4 cup dates, chopped
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9”x 5” loaf pan with pan spray (or 4 mini-loaf pans).  
2.    In a medium bowl, mix flours, flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.  
3.    In a large mixing bowl, beat on medium speed margarine, eggs, pumpkin and then adding sugar last, beat until well blended.  
4.    Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix only until moistened.  Stir in chopped dates and walnuts. Spoon batter evenly into pan(s).  Note: Lightly sprinkle raw batter with additional ground nuts if desired.  
5.    Bake approximately 50 to 60 minutes (about 40 minutes for mini-loaves); unit toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  (If top of loaf browns to quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil until baking is completed.) Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes.  Remove from baking pan and transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Makes 1 loaf (12 hearty servings).

Cranberry Nut Bread

Ingredients:
2 cups Meijer white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup Meijer granulated sugar
1/4 cup Meijer brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped fresh cranberries (1/2 to 2/3 cup dried cranberries may be substituted for fresh berries)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 egg
3 Tbsp. Meijer canola or vegetable oil
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. Combine the flour, sugars, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the cranberries and walnuts, and stir to coat with flour. Mix together the egg, oil, orange juice, and orange zest. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture, and stir until just blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack, and cool completely.