Delicious & Easy Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe: Your Perfect Holiday Treat
There’s something truly magical about the aroma of freshly baked goods filling your home, especially during the holiday season. It evokes warmth, comfort, and cherished memories. For many, holiday traditions are deeply intertwined with specific recipes passed down through generations. These culinary rituals bring families together and create lasting impressions, turning simple ingredients into a celebration of love and togetherness.
In my childhood home, Christmas Eve wasn’t complete without making homemade Fudge, a tradition I proudly continue with my own family today. My husband’s family has their annual post-Thanksgiving Party Mix ritual, a savory contrast to the sweet holiday treats. And for my son, no matter what, a batch of Reese’s Fudge is an absolute must-have.
Among these treasured recipes, this Cranberry Orange Bread holds a particularly special place in my heart. Growing up, my grandma’s house during the holidays always featured a loaf of this incredibly moist and tender quick bread. The vibrant tartness of cranberries perfectly balanced with the bright citrus notes of orange creates a flavor profile that instantly transports me back to those joyful, bustling family gatherings. It’s more than just a bread; it’s a staple, a symbol of the holiday season, and a comforting taste of nostalgia that we now eagerly share with our loved ones.
Why Cranberry Orange Bread is a Must-Bake
This Cranberry Orange Bread isn’t just a holiday favorite; it’s a versatile quick bread that truly shines any time of year. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, delicious flavor, and delightful texture. As a “quick bread,” it requires no yeast or lengthy proofing times, making it an ideal choice for bakers of all skill levels, even those new to the kitchen. You can whip up the batter in minutes, and let your oven do the rest.
The combination of cranberries and orange is a classic for a reason. The tangy burst of fresh cranberries cuts through the sweetness of the bread, while the zesty orange infuses every bite with a bright, aromatic essence. The result is a perfectly balanced loaf that’s neither too sweet nor too tart. It’s a beautifully moist and tender bread, with a delicate crumb that makes it irresistible. Whether you’re enjoying a slice for breakfast with your morning coffee, as an afternoon snack, or serving it as a light dessert, this bread always delivers a burst of seasonal flavor and homemade goodness.
The Perfect Pairing: Cranberries and Orange
The dynamic duo of cranberries and oranges creates an undeniable synergy in baking. Cranberries, with their distinct tartness, offer a refreshing contrast to the sweetness found in most quick bread recipes. They provide little bursts of bright, juicy flavor that awaken the palate. When paired with orange, particularly fresh orange zest and juice, the flavor profile is elevated to new heights. The citrusy notes from the orange complement the cranberries beautifully, adding a layer of aromatic complexity and mellowing some of their sharp tang.
Using fresh orange zest is key here, as it contains potent oils that deliver a concentrated burst of orange flavor without adding excess liquid. The orange juice not only contributes to the flavor but also to the bread’s incredible moisture. This combination makes every slice a harmonious blend of sweet, tart, and zesty – a truly comforting and invigorating treat that appeals to almost everyone.
How to Make Perfect Cranberry Orange Bread
Making this cranberry orange quick bread is a straightforward process, but following a few key steps ensures a perfectly moist and tender loaf every time. Before you begin, always preheat your oven and prepare your loaf pan. Greasing and lightly flouring the pan, or lining it with parchment paper, will prevent sticking and ensure your beautiful bread slides out easily after baking. Let’s walk through the simple steps:
- **Combine Dry Ingredients:** Sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Sifting is an important step that aerates the flour, prevents lumps, and contributes to a lighter, more tender crumb in your finished bread.
- **Cut in the Butter:** Add cold butter, cut into small cubes, to the dry flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or even your fingertips, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles a coarse, crumbly sand. This technique, similar to making pie crust, creates pockets of butter that melt during baking, resulting in a supremely moist and tender texture.
- **Add Wet Ingredients:** Next, mix in the beaten egg and fresh orange juice. Stir the batter gently until the ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as overworking the dough can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough and chewy bread instead of a light and tender one. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.
- **Fold in Cranberries:** Gently fold in the chopped cranberries until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. This ensures that every slice of bread gets a burst of tangy flavor.
- **Bake to Golden Perfection:** Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly before the inside is fully cooked, loosely cover it with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
- **Cool Properly:** Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the bread to set and firm up, preventing it from breaking when you remove it. After 10 minutes, carefully transfer the loaf from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a wire rack ensures air circulation around all sides, preventing the bottom from becoming soggy.
Expert Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Bread
Achieving that perfect, bakery-quality cranberry orange bread is simple with a few expert tips:
- **Do Not Overmix:** This is perhaps the most crucial rule for any quick bread. Overmixing develops gluten, which leads to a tough, dry texture. Mix just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined. Lumps in the batter are perfectly fine!
- **Use Cold Butter:** As instructed in the recipe, using very cold butter cut into small pieces helps create those desirable pockets of moisture and flakiness. The butter slowly melts during baking, contributing to a tender crumb.
- **Fresh Orange Zest is a Must:** Don’t skip the orange zest, and ideally, use fresh zest from an organic orange. The zest contains essential oils that provide a much deeper and brighter orange flavor than juice alone. A microplane zester is your best friend here.
- **Measure Flour Correctly:** Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to using too much and resulting in a dense, dry bread.
- **Room Temperature Egg:** A room temperature egg incorporates more easily and evenly into the batter, creating a smoother emulsion and a more uniform texture in your bread. If you forget to take it out, place the egg in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.
- **Don’t Overbake:** Keep an eye on your bread as it bakes. Overbaking can dry out your loaf. Use the toothpick test as your guide; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Can You Freeze Cranberry Bread?
Absolutely! Cranberry orange bread freezes wonderfully, making it an excellent candidate for meal prep or for stashing away for unexpected guests. Freezing preserves its fresh taste and moist texture for several months. For best results, allow the bread to cool completely before freezing.
You can wrap the entire cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, and then an additional layer of aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe bag. This double layer helps prevent freezer burn. It will remain delicious for 2-3 months. To thaw, simply unwrap and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours, or warm it gently in a low oven.
If you prefer to enjoy just a slice or two at a time, slice the cooled loaf first. Lay the slices on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours until solid. Then, transfer the frozen slices to a freezer-safe bag. When a craving strikes, simply grab a slice, and microwave it for about 30 seconds, or pop it in a toaster oven until warmed through. It’s perfect with your morning coffee!
Can You Use Dried Cranberries?
Yes, you can certainly use dried cranberries in this recipe if fresh or frozen aren’t available, or if you simply prefer them. You would use the same amount called for in the recipe (1 1/2 cups). However, for the best results, I highly recommend a little trick: soak them!
Before adding dried cranberries to your batter, soak them in the orange juice (or even water, rum, or brandy for a more adult flavor) for about 10-15 minutes. This rehydrates the dried cranberries, making them plump and juicy, much like fresh ones. It also prevents them from absorbing moisture from your batter during baking, which could otherwise lead to a drier bread. Once soaked, drain any excess liquid (if you didn’t use the recipe’s orange juice for soaking), and then proceed with the recipe as normal, folding them into the batter.
Cranberry Bread Variations to Try
While the classic Cranberry Orange Bread is undeniably delicious on its own, it also serves as a fantastic base for creativity. You can easily adapt this recipe with additional mix-ins or a delightful topping to suit your taste. Here are some popular variations:
- **Add Nuts for Crunch:** For an extra layer of texture and flavor, mix in about 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts. Toasting the nuts lightly before adding them to the batter can enhance their nutty flavor even further. Add them at the same time you fold in the cranberries.
- **Sweeten with White Chocolate Chips:** White chocolate chips are a match made in heaven with cranberries and orange. Their creamy sweetness perfectly complements the tartness of the cranberries. Stir in about 1 cup of white chocolate chips when you add the cranberries for a decadent touch.
- **Top with a Zesty Glaze:** An orange glaze not only adds a beautiful finish but also boosts the citrus flavor and provides a touch more sweetness. To make a simple glaze, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice (or lemon juice for a tangier glaze) until smooth and pourable. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled bread for the best results.
- **Introduce Warm Spices:** A pinch of warm spices can add another dimension to your cranberry orange bread. Try adding 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, a 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, or even a tiny pinch of ground ginger to your dry ingredients for a truly autumnal or festive feel.
- **Extra Orange Zest:** If you’re an absolute orange lover, consider adding an additional teaspoon of orange zest directly into the wet ingredients to really amplify that bright, citrusy aroma and flavor throughout the bread.
Serving Suggestions for Cranberry Orange Bread
This versatile quick bread is perfect for a variety of occasions. Enjoy it simply sliced on its own for a quick, satisfying snack. For breakfast or brunch, serve it alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a spread of cream cheese. Its festive colors and flavors also make it a wonderful addition to any holiday table or a thoughtful homemade gift for friends, neighbors, or teachers. You can even elevate it to a dessert by serving a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
Other Delicious Quick Breads You Might Like
If you’re a fan of easy-to-make quick breads, then you’ll love exploring these other delightful recipes that require no yeast and come together quickly:
- Blueberry Banana Bread
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
- Apple Pie Bread
- Coconut Lime Quick Bread
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
More Delightful Cranberry Recipes
Cranberries offer a unique tartness that works wonderfully in both sweet and savory dishes. If you have extra cranberries or just love their distinctive flavor, here are some other fantastic cranberry-infused recipes to try:
- Vodka Cranberry with Lime
- Cranberry Apple Coleslaw
- Cranberry Chicken
- Cranberry Mojito
Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, , sifted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 large egg, , beaten
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups fresh, (or frozen) cranberries, chopped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x5x3 loaf pan.
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Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add the egg and orange juice. Stir until just combined, do not over mix. Fold in cranberries.
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Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for about an hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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