Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry Orange Bread is nice for breakfast, snacking, or wrapping up a loaf to share. This model leans into the whole lot you need from the basic combo. The applesauce and melted butter make the loaf keep moist for days. And the orange juice, zest, and a tiny trace of orange extract offer you a strong citrus vibe with out going overboard.

Make fast breads like this of any taste utilizing my base quick bread recipe.

Why My Recipe

Additional moist texture because of a full cup of applesauce and melted butter.
Plenty of orange taste from juice, zest, and only a contact of orange extract.
Elective glaze soaks into the loaf for additional moisture and a candy end.

Overhead view of sliced cranberry orange bread on a white marble board, surrounded by bright orange slices and fresh cranberries.

The glaze will get poured over the loaf whereas the bread continues to be heat and it soaks proper in. It provides additional moisture and a lightweight sweetness that ties the whole lot collectively. That is the type of fast bread that in some way disappears sooner than anybody admits to consuming it. It really works for brunch, snacking, gifting, or stealing a slice whenever you’re presupposed to be cleansing the kitchen.

Ingredient Notes

Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Ensure that it’s unsweetened so the bread doesn’t end up too candy.
Brown Sugar: Mild or darkish brown sugar each work. Darkish provides a deeper taste.
Melted Butter: Butter provides higher taste, whereas oil retains the loaf additional tender. Use whichever you favor.
Orange Juice: Recent or bottled each work. There’s not sufficient juice within the orange you zest to make each the bread and the glaze.
Giant Egg: A room-temperature egg mixes extra easily, however straight from the fridge is completely tremendous too.
Vanilla Extract: Attempt to use the true factor.
Orange Extract: This boosts the citrus taste. In the event you don’t have any, add yet one more teaspoon of zest.
Salt: Common desk salt works completely.
Baking Soda: Verify that it’s contemporary to make sure rise.
Baking Powder: Ensure that it’s not expired or the loaf could bake dense.
All-Objective Flour: Scoop and sweep technique of measuring is most popular.
Craisins: You’ll be able to substitute with 1 cup contemporary or frozen cranberries, chopped. Recent or frozen offers you a extra tart taste.
Orange Zest: Solely zest the highest orange layer and keep away from the white pith for the most effective taste.

Recent vs Dried Cranberries

You’ll be able to completely use both dried cranberries or contemporary ones on this bread. Craisins offer you a sweeter, chewier chunk with no additional prep. Recent or frozen cranberries make the bread extra tart, so anticipate a brighter taste.

If utilizing contemporary or frozen, give them a fast chop so that they distribute evenly. There isn’t a want to regulate the baking time or the batter. Simply know the bread will style rather less candy, and that’s utterly okay.

Elective Add-Ins

This bread is versatile if you wish to change it up. A handful of chopped pecans or walnuts provides a pleasant crunch. White chocolate chips soften into little candy pockets.

You can even swap the craisins for chopped contemporary or frozen cranberries if you would like a extra tart taste. So long as you don’t overload the batter, it can bake up properly.

Inform When Quickbread is Completed

Fast breads can look completed on high lengthy earlier than the middle is prepared. The simplest technique to test for doneness is with a toothpick. Insert it into the middle of the loaf. If it comes out clear or with just some crumbs, you might be good to go. If it comes out gooey, give the bread one other 5 to 10 minutes and test once more. The highest must also spring again flippantly when pressed.

Two slices of cranberry orange bread on a small white plate with a gold beaded rim, garnished with fresh cranberries and orange slices.

Loaf Pan Dimension Choices

This recipe is written for an 8 by 4 inch loaf pan, however you continue to have choices. A 9 by 5 inch pan will work. The loaf will bake somewhat flatter and end sooner, so begin checking it about ten minutes early.

You can even cut up the batter into mini loaf pans. These usually bake in about 25 to half-hour. Simply keep watch over them as soon as they begin smelling superb.

Glaze Ideas

One of the best time to pour the glaze is when the loaf is scorching from the oven. It soaks proper in and provides additional moisture and taste. I’ve you make extra glaze than you really want as a result of in any other case it’s too laborious to cook dinner in such small quantities. Simply give it , sugary soak.

Serving Strategies

This bread is nice heat, cool, toasted, or sliced straight from the counter. You’ll be able to serve it with butter, cream cheese, or nothing in any respect. It additionally seems to be nice on a brunch desk. And when you have a slice left the following morning, turning it into French toast isn’t a nasty concept.

Storage & Freezing

Retailer leftover Cranberry Orange Bread in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 3 days. In case your kitchen runs heat, place it within the fridge as an alternative to maintain it somewhat longer. The glaze helps hold the loaf moist, so it holds up nicely.

Freezing Directions: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer protected bag or container. Freeze for as much as 3 months. You can even freeze particular person slices for fast breakfasts. Thaw the loaf or slices at room temperature.