Description
This vibrant Orange Cranberry Bread combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the bright, citrusy notes of orange zest and juice. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet dessert, this moist quick bread is easy to prepare and bakes into a delightful loaf studded with cranberries and optional nuts for added texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup orange juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (halved if large)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set it aside to be ready for the batter.
- 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.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the orange juice, vegetable oil, and egg until fully combined, ensuring a smooth liquid mixture.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently just until they come together, avoiding overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in cranberries and nuts: Gently fold in the cranberries and, if using, the chopped walnuts or pecans to evenly incorporate them without breaking the berries.
- Transfer batter to pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake the bread: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is cooked through.
- Cool the bread: Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving texture and flavor.
Notes
- Frozen cranberries can be used directly from the freezer without thawing.
- For enhanced orange flavor, drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice over the cooled bread.
