Cranberry Orange Bread

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60-65 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 1 loaf (about 12 slices)

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Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (if using frozen, do not thaw)
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
• Zest of 1 large orange
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk (or use milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar if you don’t have buttermilk)
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (optional)
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, but adds a nice crunch)

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Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bread once baked.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the following dry ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Whisk these ingredients together until well incorporated. The cinnamon and nutmeg will infuse the flour with warm, festive flavors, making this bread a perfect treat for the holidays or any time of year.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the following wet ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (optional)

Make sure the melted butter has cooled slightly before adding it to the mixture so it doesn’t cook the egg. The fresh orange juice and zest give the bread a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the tart cranberries perfectly.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now it’s time to bring the wet and dry ingredients together. Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until the ingredients are just combined—be careful not to overmix, as that can lead to a dense loaf. The batter will be somewhat thick, which is totally fine!

5. Fold in Cranberries and Nuts

Once the batter is mostly mixed, gently fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries. If you’re using frozen cranberries, you don’t need to thaw them beforehand. Frozen cranberries will release moisture during baking, which adds even more delicious juiciness to the loaf.

At this point, you can also fold in ½ cup chopped nuts (optional). Walnuts and pecans work well with this recipe and provide a nice contrast to the soft bread and tangy cranberries. However, if you’re not a fan of nuts, feel free to skip this step.

6. Pour the Batter Into the Loaf Pan

Transfer the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly in the pan, smoothing the top.

7. Bake the Bread

Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 60-65 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs). The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so start checking at the 55-minute mark.

If you notice the top of the bread is browning too quickly before the center is cooked through, you can loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil and continue baking until done.

8. Cool and Slice

Once the bread is fully baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tip: If you’re impatient (or you want a warm, buttery slice), you can slice the bread once it’s cool enough to handle, but it may be a bit crumbly if you cut into it too soon.

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Serving and Storage:

This Cranberry Orange Bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. Its tangy, sweet, and citrusy flavors pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee. You can also serve it as a festive addition to a holiday brunch or as a gift to friends and family.

• Serving Ideas:
  • Spread a little butter or cream cheese on a warm slice.
  • Pair it with orange marmalade for an extra citrus kick.
  • Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a lighter dessert.
• Storage:
  • Keep the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
  • If you need to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the bread for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw it at room temperature or warm it up in the oven.

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Notes:

• Cranberries: Fresh cranberries give this bread a bright, tart flavor. If you use frozen cranberries, don’t worry about thawing them first; they’ll release their juice and moisture as they bake, making the bread extra moist. You can also sprinkle a bit of flour on the cranberries before adding them to the batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
• Orange Flavor: If you want to enhance the orange flavor even more, consider adding an extra teaspoon of orange zest. For an extra special touch, drizzle a simple orange glaze over the top after the bread has cooled. To make the glaze, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2-3 teaspoons of orange juice until smooth.
• Nuts: The nuts are entirely optional but do add a lovely texture contrast to the soft, moist bread. Walnuts or pecans work best, but feel free to use your favorite type of nut. If you prefer no nuts, simply omit them.
• Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice to a ½ cup of milk. Stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using it in the recipe.
• Flavor Variations: If you’re in the mood to experiment, you could swap out the cranberries for other fruits, like blueberries, chopped apples, or dried cherries. The orange flavor complements a variety of fruits, so feel free to get creative!

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Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Orange Bread:

This bread is a perfect balance of sweet and tart, with the zing of fresh orange playing beautifully against the slight bitterness of the cranberries. The bread is moist and tender, thanks to the combination of buttermilk and melted butter. Plus, it fills your kitchen with an amazing fragrance as it bakes—nothing says cozy quite like a loaf of homemade cranberry orange bread.

Whether you enjoy it fresh out of the oven or toasted with butter, this bread is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends, making it a wonderful gift or a holiday treat.