Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
This Cranberry Orange Bread is a delightful combination of tart cranberries and zesty orange flavors baked into a moist, tender loaf. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, this bread features a balance of citrus brightness and fruity tartness with a hint of crunch from optional nuts. Easy to prepare, it’s a wonderful seasonal treat that brings fresh flavors to your table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Add-ins
- 1 and 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent the bread from sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Cream Butter and Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Incorporate the eggs, orange juice, and orange zest thoroughly, ensuring the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent the bread from becoming dense.
- Fold in Cranberries and Nuts: Carefully fold in the fresh or frozen cranberries and chopped nuts, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a smooth top.
- Bake the Bread: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when the bread is fully baked.
Notes
- For a more intense orange flavor, consider adding extra orange zest or a splash of orange extract.
- Frozen cranberries can be used directly without thawing to prevent bleeding color into the batter.
- Substitute nuts or omit them entirely for nut-free bread.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Keywords: cranberry bread, orange bread, quick bread, holiday bread, citrus bread, breakfast bread, nut bread
Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/cranberry-orange-bread-recipe/
