A moist and flavorful Cranberry Orange Bread combining fresh cranberries and zesty orange for a perfect balance of tart and sweet, ideal for breakfast or as a snack.
Author:Sandra
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:65 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 25 minutes
Yield:1 loaf
Category:Breakfast
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tbsp orange zest
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, orange juice, orange zest, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
Combine Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Add Cranberries and Nuts: Gently fold in the chopped cranberries and nuts if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly for a uniform bake.
Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set.
Transfer to Rack: Carefully transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
Serve: Slice the Cranberry Orange Bread and serve it plain or with a spread of butter or cream cheese for added richness.
Notes
For best flavor, use freshly squeezed orange juice and zest from a firm orange.
Substitute nuts with sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw before folding into batter to prevent color bleeding.
Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
You can toast slices lightly for a warm and crisp texture.