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Cranberry Orange Bread

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even rising and great texture.
  3. 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.
  4. Bring It Together: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid dense bread.
  5. Add the Cranberries: Gently fold the fresh cranberries into the batter evenly without breaking them down.
  6. 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.
  7. 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

Keywords: cranberry bread, orange bread, quick bread, gluten-free bread, citrus bread, breakfast bread, holiday bread, vegan option