Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry Orange Bread is nice for breakfast, snacking, or wrapping up a loaf to share. This model leans into every part you need from the traditional 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 due to a full cup of applesauce and melted butter.
A number of orange taste from juice, zest, and only a contact of orange extract.
Elective glaze soaks into the loaf for further 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 further moisture and a lightweight sweetness that ties every part collectively. That is the sort of fast bread that by some means disappears sooner than anybody admits to consuming it. It really works for brunch, snacking, gifting, or stealing a slice while you’re speculated to be cleansing the kitchen.

Ingredient Notes

Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Ensure it’s unsweetened so the bread doesn’t end up too candy.
Brown Sugar: Gentle or darkish brown sugar each work. Darkish provides a deeper taste.
Melted Butter: Butter provides higher taste, whereas oil retains the loaf further mushy. Use whichever you favor.
Orange Juice: Contemporary or bottled each work. There’s not sufficient juice within the orange you zest to make each the bread and the glaze.
Massive Egg: A room-temperature egg mixes extra easily, however straight from the fridge is completely positive 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 a very good rise.
Baking Powder: Ensure it’s not expired or the loaf might bake dense.
All-Goal Flour: Scoop and sweep methodology of measuring is most well-liked.
Craisins: You may change with 1 cup contemporary or frozen cranberries, chopped. Contemporary 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 perfect taste.

Contemporary vs Dried Cranberries

You may completely use both dried cranberries or contemporary ones on this bread. Craisins offer you a sweeter, chewier chunk with no further prep. Contemporary or frozen cranberries make the bread extra tart, so count on 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.

It’s also possible to swap the craisins for chopped contemporary or frozen cranberries in order for you a extra tart taste. So long as you don’t overload the batter, it’s going to bake up properly.

Find out how to Inform When Quickbread is Carried out

Fast breads can look completed on high lengthy earlier than the middle is prepared. The best option to examine 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 examine once more. The highest must also spring again frivolously 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 a bit flatter and end sooner, so begin checking it about ten minutes early.

It’s also possible to break up the batter into mini loaf pans. These usually bake in about 25 to half-hour. Simply regulate them as soon as they begin smelling wonderful.

Glaze Suggestions

The perfect time to pour the glaze is when the loaf is scorching from the oven. It soaks proper in and provides further moisture and taste. I’ve you make extra glaze than you really need as a result of in any other case it’s too arduous to prepare dinner in such small quantities. Simply give it a very good, sugary soak.

Serving Options

This bread is nice heat, cool, toasted, or sliced straight from the counter. You may serve it with butter, cream cheese, or nothing in any respect. It additionally appears nice on a brunch desk. And if in case you have a slice left the following morning, turning it into French toast is rarely a foul thought.

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 a substitute to maintain it a bit longer. The glaze helps maintain 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. It’s also possible to freeze particular person slices for fast breakfasts. Thaw the loaf or slices at room temperature.