Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry Orange Bread is nice for breakfast, snacking, or wrapping up a loaf to share. This model leans into every little thing 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 stable citrus vibe with out going overboard.

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

Why My Recipe

Further moist texture because of a full cup of applesauce and melted butter.
Numerous orange taste from juice, zest, and only a contact of orange extract.
Optionally available 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 every little thing collectively. That is the type of fast bread that by some means disappears quicker than anybody admits to consuming it. It really works for brunch, snacking, gifting, or stealing a slice if you’re purported to be cleansing the kitchen.

Ingredient Notes

Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Make certain it’s unsweetened so the bread doesn’t prove 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 additional tender. 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 actual factor.
Orange Extract: This boosts the citrus taste. In the event you don’t have any, add another teaspoon of zest.
Salt: Common desk salt works completely.
Baking Soda: Examine that it’s recent to make sure rise.
Baking Powder: Make certain it’s not expired or the loaf might bake dense.
All-Function Flour: Scoop and sweep technique of measuring is most well-liked.
Craisins: You’ll be able to substitute with 1 cup recent 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 one of the best taste.

Contemporary vs Dried Cranberries

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

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

Optionally available 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 too can swap the craisins for chopped recent or frozen cranberries if you need a extra tart taste. So long as you don’t overload the batter, it’s going to bake up properly.

Inform When Quickbread is Executed

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 calmly 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 slightly flatter and end sooner, so begin checking it about ten minutes early.

You too can cut 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 Ideas

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

Serving Options

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 nice on a brunch desk. And when you have a slice left the subsequent morning, turning it into French toast isn’t a nasty 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 an alternative to maintain it slightly longer. The glaze helps preserve the loaf moist, so it holds up effectively.

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 too can freeze particular person slices for fast breakfasts. Thaw the loaf or slices at room temperature.