Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
This Cranberry Orange Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread bursting with fresh cranberries and vibrant orange zest. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, it combines a tender crumb with a delightful citrus aroma and a touch of crunch from optional walnuts. Easy to prepare and baked to a golden perfection, it’s a wonderful seasonal treat that brings festive flavors to your table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 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 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Add-ins
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking and a nice golden crust on the bread.
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the orange zest, fresh orange juice, eggs, and vegetable oil until the mixture is smooth and vibrant in color.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. It’s important not to overmix; some lumps are okay to help keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Cranberries and Nuts: Gently fold the fresh cranberries and optional chopped walnuts into the batter to add bursts of flavor and texture throughout the bread.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and enjoying.
Notes
- For a healthier option, substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
- Use coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar for a lower glycemic index.
- Replace vegetable oil with applesauce for a lighter, lower-fat version.
- Frozen cranberries can be used if fresh are not available; thaw slightly before folding into the batter.
- Walnuts are optional but add a nice crunch and flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and moist.
Keywords: Cranberry Orange Bread, Quick Bread, Citrus Bread, Holiday Bread, Moist Bread, Cranberry Recipe, Orange Zest Bread
Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/cranberry-orange-bread-recipe/
