Cranberry Orange Bread Flavorful and Easy Recipe

ByJasmine August 4, 2025August 4, 2025

$When making Cranberry Orange Bread, gather these simple ingredients. Each one adds to the wonderful flavor of the bread. - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed) - 1 large orange (zest and juice) - 3/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 2 large eggs - 1/2 cup buttermilk - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg These ingredients work together to create a sweet and tangy bread. The cranberries give a burst of flavor, while the orange adds freshness. The spices warm the bread with cozy notes. When you mix them, you prepare for a delightful treat. Each bite feels special, perfect for any time of the day. 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan. 2. In a bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Mix until light and fluffy. 3. Add 2 large eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg. Stir in the zest and juice of 1 large orange. 1. In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Mix well to blend. 1. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Alternate this with 1/2 cup buttermilk. Mix until just combined. 2. Gently fold in 1 cup of fresh cranberries, making sure they are evenly spread throughout the batter. 1. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. 2. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes. Check if a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 3. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before slicing. - Use room temperature ingredients. This helps the batter mix well. - Measure your flour correctly. Too much flour can make the bread dry. - For serving, slice the bread and place it on a wooden board. Add a thin orange wheel on top. Sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar for a nice touch. - Pair this bread with hot tea or coffee. It also goes well with a sweet fruit juice. - To avoid a dense loaf, do not overmix the batter. Mix just until combined. - If the bread is undercooked, bake it a bit longer. If it's overcooked, check your oven temperature. {{image_2}} You can make this cranberry orange bread even better. Adding nuts like walnuts or pecans gives it a nice crunch. I love how they pair with the tart cranberries. You can also add chocolate chips for a sweet twist. The chocolate melts and creates a rich flavor. This makes the bread extra special. If you need gluten-free options, use a gluten-free flour blend. This keeps the texture light. You can also make it vegan. Replace the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce. Use plant-based buttermilk, like almond milk with vinegar. These swaps keep the recipe tasty for everyone. Try using different citrus fruits like lemon or lime. Each fruit brings its own unique taste. You can also mix in spices to change the flavor. For a warm touch, add ginger or cardamom. These spices create new layers of flavor and make the bread exciting. To keep your cranberry orange bread fresh, store it at room temperature. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. This prevents it from drying out. If you want long-term storage, freezing is a great option. Slice the bread first, then wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped slices in a freezer bag. Squeeze out the air to avoid freezer burn. When stored properly, cranberry orange bread lasts about 3 to 5 days at room temperature. In the freezer, it can stay fresh for up to 3 months. Look for signs of spoilage. If the bread has mold or an off smell, it’s best to discard it. A dry or crumbly texture can also mean it’s past its prime. Enjoy your bread while it’s still tasty and fresh! Can I use dried cranberries instead? Yes, you can use dried cranberries. They add a nice chewiness. Just chop them a bit to mix better in the batter. What can I substitute for buttermilk? If you don't have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for five minutes. This will create a nice tang. How can I enhance the orange flavor? To boost the orange flavor, add more zest. You can also try a bit of orange extract. This makes the bread taste even more fresh. How to adjust the sweetness level? To make the bread less sweet, reduce the sugar by a quarter cup. If you want it sweeter, add a little more sugar. Can I make mini loaves instead of one large loaf? Yes! You can use mini loaf pans. Just bake them for about 30-35 minutes. Check with a toothpick to see if they are done. What is the best way to check if it's baked properly? Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, the bread is ready. If it has batter on it, bake a bit longer. Are there alternatives to unsalted butter? You can use salted butter. Just reduce the added salt by half. You can also try coconut oil for a dairy-free option. Can I use orange juice from a carton? Yes, you can use store-bought orange juice. Fresh juice gives a brighter taste, but carton juice works well too. Is fresh cranberries necessary? Fresh cranberries are best for texture and flavor. However, frozen cranberries work if fresh ones are not available. Just thaw and drain them first. This recipe shows you how to bake a delicious cranberry orange bread. You learned about each ingredient, from flour to spices, and how to combine them for the best taste. I shared tips to avoid common baking mistakes and how to store your bread for later. Remember, you can also try fun variations to suit your taste. Enjoy your baking journey, and share this tasty treat with friends and family!$

Looking for a delightful twist on classic bread? This Cranberry Orange Bread recipe is easy to make and bursting with flavor. You’ll need just a few key ingredients, and I’ll guide you through each step. Whether you’re new to baking or a pro, this recipe will impress everyone. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, citrusy aroma of fresh bread. Let’s dive in and make something special!

Ingredients

When making Cranberry Orange Bread, gather these simple ingredients. Each one adds to the wonderful flavor of the bread.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed)
1 large orange (zest and juice)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

These ingredients work together to create a sweet and tangy bread. The cranberries give a burst of flavor, while the orange adds freshness. The spices warm the bread with cozy notes. When you mix them, you prepare for a delightful treat. Each bite feels special, perfect for any time of the day.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

2. In a bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Mix until light and fluffy.

3. Add 2 large eggs one at a time. Mix well after each egg. Stir in the zest and juice of 1 large orange.

Mixing the Dry Ingredients

1. In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Mix well to blend.

Combining Ingredients

1. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Alternate this with 1/2 cup buttermilk. Mix until just combined.

2. Gently fold in 1 cup of fresh cranberries, making sure they are evenly spread throughout the batter.

Baking the Bread

1. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.

2. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes. Check if a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

3. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Tricks

Baking Tips

Use room temperature ingredients. This helps the batter mix well.
Measure your flour correctly. Too much flour can make the bread dry.

Serving Suggestions

For serving, slice the bread and place it on a wooden board. Add a thin orange wheel on top. Sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar for a nice touch.
Pair this bread with hot tea or coffee. It also goes well with a sweet fruit juice.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

To avoid a dense loaf, do not overmix the batter. Mix just until combined.
If the bread is undercooked, bake it a bit longer. If it’s overcooked, check your oven temperature.

Variations

Flavor Enhancements

You can make this cranberry orange bread even better. Adding nuts like walnuts or pecans gives it a nice crunch. I love how they pair with the tart cranberries. You can also add chocolate chips for a sweet twist. The chocolate melts and creates a rich flavor. This makes the bread extra special.

Dietary Adjustments

If you need gluten-free options, use a gluten-free flour blend. This keeps the texture light. You can also make it vegan. Replace the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce. Use plant-based buttermilk, like almond milk with vinegar. These swaps keep the recipe tasty for everyone.

Alternate Flavor Profiles

Try using different citrus fruits like lemon or lime. Each fruit brings its own unique taste. You can also mix in spices to change the flavor. For a warm touch, add ginger or cardamom. These spices create new layers of flavor and make the bread exciting.

Storage Info

Best Storage Practices

To keep your cranberry orange bread fresh, store it at room temperature. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. This prevents it from drying out. If you want long-term storage, freezing is a great option. Slice the bread first, then wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped slices in a freezer bag. Squeeze out the air to avoid freezer burn.

Shelf Life

When stored properly, cranberry orange bread lasts about 3 to 5 days at room temperature. In the freezer, it can stay fresh for up to 3 months. Look for signs of spoilage. If the bread has mold or an off smell, it’s best to discard it. A dry or crumbly texture can also mean it’s past its prime. Enjoy your bread while it’s still tasty and fresh!

FAQs

Common Questions about Cranberry Orange Bread

Can I use dried cranberries instead?

Yes, you can use dried cranberries. They add a nice chewiness. Just chop them a bit to mix better in the batter.

What can I substitute for buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for five minutes. This will create a nice tang.

How can I enhance the orange flavor?

To boost the orange flavor, add more zest. You can also try a bit of orange extract. This makes the bread taste even more fresh.

Recipe Clarifications

How to adjust the sweetness level?

To make the bread less sweet, reduce the sugar by a quarter cup. If you want it sweeter, add a little more sugar.

Can I make mini loaves instead of one large loaf?

Yes! You can use mini loaf pans. Just bake them for about 30-35 minutes. Check with a toothpick to see if they are done.

What is the best way to check if it’s baked properly?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, the bread is ready. If it has batter on it, bake a bit longer.

Ingredient FAQs

Are there alternatives to unsalted butter?

You can use salted butter. Just reduce the added salt by half. You can also try coconut oil for a dairy-free option.

Can I use orange juice from a carton?

Yes, you can use store-bought orange juice. Fresh juice gives a brighter taste, but carton juice works well too.

Is fresh cranberries necessary?

Fresh cranberries are best for texture and flavor. However, frozen cranberries work if fresh ones are not available. Just thaw and drain them first.

This recipe shows you how to bake a delicious cranberry orange bread. You learned about each ingredient, from flour to spices, and how to combine them for the best taste. I shared tips to avoid common baking mistakes and how to store your bread for later. Remember, you can also try fun variations to suit your taste. Enjoy your baking journey, and share this tasty treat with friends and family!