Delicious Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe for Holidays

Cranberry orange bread is this yummy treat that taste like holiday in every bite. Its moist and full of flavour, mixing tart fresh cranberries with bright orange notes, resultin in a blend wich tickles your taste buds. You can have it for breakfast, snack, or bring it to any holiday party to share.

Seasonal flavors always make us think of special times and warm feelings, we use fall cranberries and winter oranges to bring fresh colors into our kitchens and make things feel cozy. The bright red cranberries and orange peels look great on the bread and give a nice contrast thats just begging to be eaten.

This breads been a must at holiday tables and weekend brunches, with the sweet tang balanced perfect, it seems to make everyone smile and talk more. Whether its Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a cold morning, cranberry orange bread adds a warm touch and turn any get together into something memorible.

History of Cranberry Orange Bread

The idea for cranberry bread came from early American settlers who had lots of native cranberries and wanted to use them in cooking. Cranberries are tangy and colourful, so they fitted right into their simple recipes.

Later, people started add orange to this bread to make it more interesting. The sweet citrus taste of oranges balances the tart cranberries and bring more life to the loaf. This pairing not only improved the flavour but also add a pop of color that brightens any table.

Today cranberry orange bread is a holiday favourite in North America, showing up at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Its a symbol for family time and cosy celebrations. While old recipes still exist, new versions keep coming so this treat stays fresh and loved.

Nutritional Benefits of Cranberries and Oranges

Besides tasting good, cranberries and oranges are full of nutrients. Cranberries have vitamins, antioxidants and fiber thats good for you, they are known for helping keep your urinary tract healthy by preventing bad bacteria from sticking to it.

Oranges are famous for vitamin C which help your immune system, especially in cold months. They are low in calories and sugars too, so theyre a great snack. When you bake cranberry orange bread, you get both the taste and health benefits, so you dont feel guilty enjoying a slice.

Nutritional Benefits of Cranberries and Oranges

Cranberries and oranges have more to offer than just flavor. They supply us with vitamins and antioxidants that your body need. Cranberries are full of proanthocyanidins and fiber wich may help with urinary health. Oranges are pack with vitamin C and low in sugars so they support you immune system and wont ruin your diet.

Together these fruits makes the bread not only yummy but also healthier, so you get a tasty treat without the guilt.

Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Bread

Common Ingredients

To make this tasty bread, you will need a few basic things. Fresh cranberries work best for their juicy texture but dried cranberries can also work if you got no fresh ones. Orange juice and zest make the loaf moist and give it a nice citrus taste. You also need:

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Optional Ingredients

To add more taste or crunch you can include:

• Nuts: chopped walnuts or pecans for some extra crunch
• Spices: you can throw in a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg
• Glazes or toppings: a simple orange glaze makes a sweet top

Detailed Recipe for Cranberry Orange Bread

Ingredients List

• Fresh cranberries: 2 cups
• All-purpose flour: 2 cups
• Granulated sugar: 1 cup
• Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
• Salt: ½ teaspoon
• Orange zest: from one medium orange
• Orange juice: 1 cup
• Large eggs: 2
• Unsalted butter: ½ cup, melted
• Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease or line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
3. In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs, orange juice, melted butter and orange zest.
5. Pour the wet mix into the dry and stir until almost combined, dont overmix.
6. Fold in the cranberries and nuts gently.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for about 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a rack.
10. If you like, drizzle a simple orange glaze on top.

Baking Tips and Advice

Dont overmix your batter or the bread can become tough. Youll also recieve a lot of compliments when you show this off. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for up to three days or freeze for longer. If you want to try something fun, bake the batter in mini loaf pans or muffin tins for individual servings.

Variations of Cranberry Orange Bread

Vegan Cranberry Orange Bread

If you need a vegan version, swap eggs for flaxseed meal (mix 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons water for each egg). Use plant butter instead of dairy butter and youll still get that same yummy taste.

Gluten-Free Cranberry Orange Bread

For gluten-free, use almond or coconut flour or a store bought gluten-free blend. You may need to adjust baking time and batter thickness to get a nice loaf.

Serving Suggestions

You can eat cranberry orange bread in lots of ways. Try it with butter, cream cheese, or marmalade. Its great for breakfast or as a dessert at holiday parties. For a pretty display, serve it with some seasonal decor around.

Popular Pairings

Serve the bread with a hot drink like coffee, tea, or spiced cider to warm up. You can also serve it alongside a cheese platter or a simple fruit salad to balance the sweet and tangy flavors.

FAQs

What can I substitute for fresh cranberries?

If you dont have fresh cranberries, dried ones can work too. Just remember theyre sweeter, so you might want to reduce the sugar a bit.

Can I use frozen cranberries instead?

Yes, you can use frozen cranberries without thawing. They might change the texture a bit, but the bread will still taste great.

How do I store cranberry orange bread?

Keep any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic and freeze.

Can I make this bread ahead of time?

Definitely! You can bake the bread a day or two before you need it. The flavors often get better after sitting for a while.

How do I know when the bread is done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf; if it comes out clean or with a couple of moist crumbs, it is done. If its browning too fast, cover the top with foil partway through baking.

Conclusion

Making cranberry orange bread brings a cozy, festive feel to your kitchen. Each slice gives you a punch of tart and sweet thats hard to resist. We hope youll try this recipe, tweak it to your taste and share your own versions with friends and family to spread the joy of baking. Its definately a treat worth making.

cranberry orange bread

This delightful cranberry orange bread combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with the sweetness of orange zest, creating a perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. Moist and flavorful, it's sure to be a hit with family and friends.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast or Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 4 People

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

• 1 mixing bowl
• 1 measuring cups and spoons
• 1 whisk
• 1 rubber spatula
• 1 loaf pan (9x5 inches)
• 1 oven

Ingredients

  

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter Melted.
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries Halved.
• ½ cup chopped walnuts Optional.

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In another bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, eggs, orange zest, and fresh orange juice. Mix until well blended.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix; it's okay if there are a few lumps.
• Gently fold in the halved cranberries and chopped walnuts if using.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a rubber spatula.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

If fresh cranberries are not available, you can use frozen cranberries; just do not thaw them before adding.

For a touch of sweetness, you may glaze the top of the bread with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and orange juice.

Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a week.