Cranberry Orange Bread: A Bright and Flavorful Holiday Treat
Cranberry Orange Bread combines tart cranberries and fresh orange zest into a tender, golden loaf. Moist, fragrant, and bursting with flavor, it’s a perfect treat for the holidays or any time of year. This easy-to-make quick bread offers a delicious balance of sweetness and tang in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries (halved)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix orange juice, melted butter, eggs, orange zest, and vanilla until well combined.
- Blend Together: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
- Add Cranberries: Toss cranberries in a tablespoon of vegetable oil, then fold them into the batter.
- Bake: Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Use freshly grated orange zest for maximum flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread light.
- Substitute dried cranberries if fresh ones aren’t available.
- A light orange glaze enhances the sweetness beautifully.
- Wrap tightly and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.