Cranberry orange bread is a delightful and tangy quick bread that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet snack. It combines the tartness of cranberries with the bright, citrusy flavor of oranges. Here’s a recipe to make a delicious cranberry orange bread:
Ingredients:
For the Bread:
- 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 cup fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 2 large oranges)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan.
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the Cranberries and Orange Zest:
- Add the coarsely chopped fresh cranberries and the zest of one large orange to the dry ingredients. Toss to coat the cranberries with the flour mixture.
4. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
- In another mixing bowl, combine the freshly squeezed orange juice, melted unsalted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
6. Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, with just a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool:
- Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, transfer the bread from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare the Glaze (Optional):
- If you want to add a glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice until you have a smooth, pourable glaze. You can also add orange zest for extra flavor.
9. Glaze the Bread:
- Once the bread has cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.
10. Serve:
- Slice and serve your delicious cranberry orange bread. Enjoy!
This cranberry orange bread is bursting with flavor and is perfect for the holiday season or any time you want a sweet and tangy treat. The optional glaze adds a little extra sweetness and citrusy zing.
