Thanksgiving Bread Maker Ideas For Brits!

Published on 9th November 2013

Most of us in the UK think that the space between 5th November and the 25th December solely consists of the run up to Christmas. Those who are American, however, or who have American family or friends will know all too well that the next big date on their calendar is the 28th November; Thanksgiving.

There are many traditional foods eaten at this feast that have made the transition into the mainstream, and here are just a few you can knock up in your bread maker, whether you are American or not they are delicious.

Cranberry Nut Bread

cranberry nut bread

Mmmm. Delicious cranberry nut bread (image source: Flickr)

2 cups of flour
1 cup of chopped cranberries
3/4 cup of white sugar
3/4 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
1 egg
2 tblsp vegetable oil
1 tblsp orange zest
1 1/2 tsp baking power
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Add the ingredients into your bread maker as per the instructions for a fruit loaf, adding the cranberries when indicated. Use the light crust setting and set your machine away.

Honey Bread

For a 2lb loaf use the following ingredients:

4 1/2 cups of bread flour
1 1/2 cup of water
1/4 cup of honey
2 1/2 tblsp butter
2 1/2 tsp yeast
2 tsp salt

Follow your bread maker's instructions as to which order you should add the ingredients as some say liquids first whilst others say that the dried ingredients first yield the best results. Knead for 5-10 minutes then check you have a smooth, round ball of dough. Bake as a loaf again following the manufacturers instructions.

Apricot Bread

There is actually a National Apricot Day in the US held in January, and many choose to add apricot preserve to keep this delicious bread for Thanksgiving.

3 1/2 cups of bread flour
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of apricot preserve
1/4 cup of butter
1 egg
2 1/4 tsps of active dry yeast
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of grated lemon peel

Follow your bread maker instructions for the order to put the ingredients in. Use your white bread with light crust setting as the nature of this bread benefits from a lighter crust. With different preserves having differing consistencies, check on the bread after it has been kneaded for 5-10 mins. If too dry add a tablespoon of water at a time, and if too wet a tablespoon at a time of flour will fix it. Bake and enjoy at any time of year.