Back to School! Cranberry Orange Walnut Loaf- Vegan

It's that time again! Where parents are running around this long weekend trying to get themselves and their kids organized to go back to school. Heading to the grocery store with a list of meal plan ideas, lunch and snack items are for sure one of the many things to do this weekend. We all know kids love a taste sugary snack in their lunch, usually some freaky science project snack; god knows what's in them, from the cookie/candy isle. ICK!!

But we are here to save you!! Lo is whipping up a Cranberry Orange Walnut Loaf that is sure to please any kid. Give them a slice to go in their lunch box for a snack and they will be pleased as punch....Don't pack them punch, fit's full of crap!

This recipe is full of cranberries, orange juice/zest and walnuts. All healthy foods that will fuel your child's body. Yes, we know there is white sugar and flour, but! Give them a small slice and you are still winning by serving them this then by serving them a pre-made cookie/treat from the grocery store. This is home made, nothing beats home made!

This recipe is very fast to whip up, fills the house with a mouth watering aroma and keeps well.

To watch Lo make it, click here

You will need:

Oven @ 350F

9x5 inch loaf pan, greased and floured

For the loaf:

2 cups Unbleached All Purpose Flour

1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tbsp. Grated Orange Zest

1 1/2 cups Frozen Cranberries

1/2 cup Walnuts, chopped

1/4 cup Vegan Butter, room temperature

1 cup White Sugar

1/3 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce

3/4 cup Orange Juice, freshly squeezed!

1 tsp. Orange Extract

For the glaze:

1 tbsp. Orange Zest

3/4 cup Icing Sugar

1 tbsp. Coconut Milk or any plant based milk you desire

Whisk all the dry ingredients together; flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, walnuts and cranberries, and set aside.

Cream your sugar and vegan butter with a mixing stand with a paddle attachment or with a hand held mixer on medium high for 8 minutes.

While the mixer is still going, turn it down to medium and slowly pour in apple sauce. Mix till smooth, 1 minute.

Add the orange extract and slowly pour in the orange juice.

Turn mixer off and add all the dry ingredients to the mixer. Mix on low till mixed, then turn up to medium speed and mix for no more then a minute.

Pour batter into floured loaf pan and put into oven for 1 hour.

While the loaf bakes, you can make the glaze.

Whisk the sugar and orange zest and add the coconut milk. If you find that this is too runny, you may have to adjust.

Add 1 tbsp. of icing sugar at a time. This part you have to feel and gadge. You are looking for a consistency that is still "runny", but will still coat the loaf.

Once loaf is baked, cool for 10 minutes.

Carefully run a knife along the side of the pan to loosen the cake, flip onto a plate and then carefully flip back onto the rack with top side facing up.

Cool for another 30-45 minutes.

Once cooled, put rack on top of a cookie sheet to catch the glaze that will drip from the sides of the cake.

Glaze the the top of the cake evenly.

And now you are ready to eat it and enjoy!!!