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Cranberry Orange Bread: A Simple Recipe to Brighten Your Day

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There’s something comforting about a freshly baked loaf of bread, especially when it has a mix of sweet and tart flavors like cranberry and orange. Cranberry orange bread is a classic that brings together these two ingredients in a way that feels both refreshing and homey. Whether you’re making it for a family breakfast, a holiday gathering, or just a snack with your afternoon tea, this recipe is both simple and satisfying.

This post will walk you through the process of making cranberry orange bread, step by step. We’ll also cover some helpful tips along the way to make sure your bread turns out just right. Plus, you’ll learn a little about the ingredients and how they work together.

Why Cranberry and Orange?

Before we jump into the recipe, let’s talk about why cranberry and orange make such a great combination. Cranberries are naturally tart, and while they’re often sweetened in desserts, they retain a bright, slightly tangy flavor. Oranges, on the other hand, are sweet and citrusy, adding a fresh note that balances the tartness of the cranberries. Together, these flavors create a balance that makes each bite interesting.

Cranberries are also packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C, which adds a nutritional boost to your baked goods. Meanwhile, oranges provide their own dose of Vitamin C along with a bright, refreshing flavor.

Cranberries and oranges Cranberry Orange Bread

Ingredients Overview

This cranberry orange bread recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, with a couple of fresh additions like cranberries and orange zest.

Flour: All-purpose flour is a good choice for this bread. It provides structure and helps create a loaf that’s not too dense but holds together well.
Sugar: Granulated sugar gives the bread its sweetness and balances out the tart cranberries.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These two leavening agents help the bread rise. The baking powder provides most of the lift, while the baking soda reacts with the acidic orange juice to add a bit more rise and lightness to the loaf.
Orange Juice: This is the liquid base for the bread, adding flavor and moisture. Freshly squeezed orange juice works best, but bottled juice will do in a pinch.
Butter: Melted butter adds richness and moisture to the bread. If you prefer, you can substitute it with oil for a slightly lighter texture.
Egg: The egg helps bind the ingredients together and adds a bit of structure.
Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries are ideal. If you’re using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them before mixing them into the batter. Just be sure to chop them roughly so they distribute well throughout the loaf.
Orange Zest: The zest of an orange packs more flavor than the juice, so don’t skip this step! It adds a burst of citrus in every bite.

Now that we’ve covered the ingredients, let’s get into the recipe itself.

Step-by-Step Recipe for Cranberry Orange Bread

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Tools

Before you start, it’s helpful to gather everything you need. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Having your ingredients measured out and ready to go will make the process smoother.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. This dry mixture is the foundation of your bread. The baking powder and soda will help the bread rise, while the sugar provides sweetness.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together ¾ cup of orange juice, ½ cup of melted butter, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. These wet ingredients provide moisture and richness to the bread. The orange juice adds a citrus flavor, while the butter gives the bread a tender crumb.

Step 4: Add the Orange Zest

Before you combine the wet and dry ingredients, zest one orange and stir the zest into the wet mixture. The zest holds a lot of flavor and will bring a bright note to every bite.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now, pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. It’s important not to overmix the batter at this stage, as overmixing can lead to a denser loaf. You want the flour to be fully incorporated, but it’s okay if there are a few small lumps in the batter.

Step 6: Fold in the Cranberries and Walnuts

Once the batter is mixed, fold in 1 ½ cups of chopped cranberries. If you like, you can also add ½ cup of chopped walnuts for some extra texture and a nutty flavor. The key here is to fold the cranberries and nuts gently into the batter so they’re evenly distributed.

Step 7: Pour the Batter into the Pan

Spoon the batter into your greased loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. The batter will be thick but spreadable. Don’t worry if it looks a little uneven—it will smooth out as it bakes.

Step 8: Bake the Bread

Place the loaf pan in your preheated oven and bake for about 55 minutes. You’ll know the bread is done when a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean. If there are a few moist crumbs clinging to the tester, that’s fine, but there should be no wet batter.

Step 9: Let the Bread Cool

Once the bread is fully baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period allows the flavors to settle and the bread to firm up, making it easier to slice.

Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Bread

Here are a few extra tips to help you get the best results with your cranberry orange bread:

Use Fresh Orange Zest and Juice: While bottled orange juice is convenient, fresh orange juice and zest will give your bread a more vibrant flavor. The zest in particular adds a lot of citrusy brightness that can’t be replicated by juice alone.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir just until the flour is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a tough or dense loaf, which is not what you want here.
Add Extra Texture with Nuts: Walnuts or pecans make a great addition to cranberry orange bread. They add a bit of crunch and complement the flavors of the cranberries and oranges. If you’re not a fan of nuts, feel free to leave them out.
Use Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: Fresh cranberries are ideal, but frozen cranberries work just as well. There’s no need to thaw them before adding them to the batter—just give them a rough chop and fold them in. If you’re using dried cranberries, consider soaking them in warm water or orange juice for 10 minutes to plump them up before adding them to the batter.
Make Mini Loaves or Muffins: This recipe works great as a full loaf, but you can also divide the batter into mini loaf pans or muffin tins for individual servings. Just adjust the baking time accordingly—muffins will take about 20-25 minutes to bake, while mini loaves will need around 30-35 minutes.

How to Store Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry orange bread stores well, making it a great option for meal prep or gifting during the holidays. Here’s how to store it:

At Room Temperature: Once the bread has cooled completely, you can store it at room temperature for 3-4 days. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
In the Refrigerator: If you want to keep the bread longer, store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just be sure to wrap it well to prevent it from drying out.
Freezing: Cranberry orange bread freezes beautifully. Wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let the bread thaw at room temperature.

Variations to Try

If you’re looking to mix things up, here are a few variations on the classic cranberry orange bread recipe:

Glaze: For an extra layer of sweetness, drizzle an orange glaze over the top of the cooled loaf. Simply mix powdered sugar with a bit of orange juice until smooth and pourable, then drizzle over the bread.
Lemon Cranberry Bread: Swap out the orange juice and zest for lemon juice and zest for a tangier version of this bread.
Spiced Cranberry Orange Bread: Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor that pairs well with the cranberries and orange.

Final Thoughts

Cranberry orange bread is a simple yet flavorful baked good that’s perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether you’re making it as a breakfast treat or serving it alongside afternoon tea, this bread is sure to be a hit. The tart cranberries and sweet orange zest come together in a way that’s refreshing and satisfying, and with just a few basic ingredients, you can have a homemade loaf ready to enjoy in no time.