Cranberry Orange Bread: A Vibrant Holiday Treat
As the festive season approaches, baking takes a delightful turn with recipes that celebrate the flavors of the holidays. This Cranberry Orange Bread recipe perfectly captures the essence of winter with its bright, citrusy notes and bursts of tart cranberries. Not only is this bread visually stunning with its jewel-like cranberries and glossy orange glaze, but it also offers a delicious combination of flavors that can elevate any holiday table or serve as a thoughtful homemade gift.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
- Orange Zest: 1 tablespoon, freshly grated
- Buttermilk: ½ cup
- Canola Oil: ½ cup (or other neutral tasting oil)
- Orange Juice: ½ cup, freshly squeezed
- Eggs: 2 large
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon, pure
- Fresh Cranberries: 1 ½ cups
For the Glaze:
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup
- Orange Juice: 2 to 3 tablespoons, adjust as needed for consistency
Directions
To Make the Bread:
- Prepare Oven and Pan:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Prepare Orange Sugar:
- In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and orange zest. Rub them together until the sugar becomes light orange in color and is fragrant. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, orange juice, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients:
- Gently stir in the flour mixture and orange zest-sugar mixture to the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Cranberries:
- Carefully fold the fresh cranberries into the batter, distributing them evenly.
- Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 65-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the bread starts to brown too much on top, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
- Cool:
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then remove from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To Make the Glaze:
- Prepare Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more juice if the glaze is too thick.
- Finish and Serve:
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread. Let it set for a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve as a delightful dessert or a special breakfast treat.
Preparation Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Total Time: 95 minutes
- Servings: 1 loaf
This Cranberry Orange Bread with its moist texture and festive flavors is perfect for holiday gatherings or as a comforting treat to enjoy on a cold day. The tartness of the cranberries complements the sweet citrus glaze, making each slice irresistibly delicious. Enjoy this bread as a beautiful centerpiece on your holiday table or wrap it up for a heartfelt and tasty gift.
Cranberry Orange Bread
- Total Time: 95 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Description
Cranberry Orange Bread combines the tartness of cranberries with the fresh zest of oranges, creating a delightful balance that’s both refreshing and comforting. This loaf is visually stunning, with bright bursts of red from the cranberries and a glossy, golden-orange glaze that adds a touch of elegance.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup canola oil (or other neutral tasting oil)
½ cup orange juice
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
To Make the Bread:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix the sugar and orange zest until the sugar is light orange in color. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, oil, orange juice, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture and orange zest-sugar mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fold in the cranberries.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 65-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
To Make the Glaze:
While the bread is cooling, whisk together powdered sugar and orange juice in a medium bowl until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more juice if needed.
Once the bread is cool, drizzle the glaze over the top.
Slice and serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes