Description
A moist and flavorful Cranberry Orange Bread combining fresh cranberries with zesty orange for a perfect breakfast or snack treat. This quick bread is easy to prepare, packed with bright citrus notes, and has a tender crumb, making it ideal for holiday gatherings or everyday enjoyment.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries (halved if large)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease 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, salt, and orange zest to evenly distribute all dry components and the citrus flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the orange juice, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Cranberries: Carefully fold the cranberries into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed without breaking them apart.
- Fill Pan and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the final 15 minutes to prevent burning.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This bread keeps well at room temperature for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months to maintain freshness.
- Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and crunch.
- If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw before adding to the batter to prevent excess moisture.
