Cranberry Orange Bread
Cranberry Orange Bread is a bright and refreshing quick bread combining zesty orange and tart fresh cranberries for a moist, tender loaf ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. With simple pantry staples and easy steps, this flavorful bread offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy in every bite, suitable for gifting and customizable to various dietary needs.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour)
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup melted butter or oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan. Zest and juice your orange, and rinse fresh cranberries, discarding any discolored or soft ones.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even rising and great texture.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add sugar, orange juice, orange zest, melted butter or oil, and vanilla extract. Stir until well blended.
- Bring It Together: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid dense bread.
- Add the Cranberries: Gently fold the fresh cranberries into the batter evenly without breaking them down.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; if clean, bread is ready.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess and developing flavors.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to help the batter blend smoothly and bake evenly.
- Toss cranberries in a little flour before folding to prevent sinking to the bottom.
- Do not overmix the batter; stir just until ingredients are combined to keep the bread light.
- Check oven temperature with a thermometer for accurate baking conditions.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to help it hold its shape and meld flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: cranberry bread, orange bread, quick bread, gluten-free bread, citrus bread, breakfast bread, holiday bread, vegan option