Description
Scrumptious orange cranberry bread merges zesty citrus with tart berries in a delightful quick bread. Homemade comfort awaits when you slice into this classic breakfast treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (180 g/6.3 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries, roughly chopped
- 2 cups (480 ml/16.2 fl oz) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 g/5.3 oz) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (113 g/4 oz) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾ cup (180 ml/6.1 fl oz) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml/4.1 fl oz) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) orange zest (from 1 large orange)
- 1 tsp (5 ml/0.2 fl oz) vanilla extract
- 1 tsp (5 ml/0.2 fl oz) baking powder
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml/0.1 fl oz) baking soda
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml/0.1 fl oz) salt
- 1 cup (120 g/4.2 oz) powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2–3 tbsps (30–45 ml/1–1.5 fl oz) orange juice (for glaze)
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml/0.1 fl oz) orange zest (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preparation: Butter and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over sides for easy removal.
- Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined and lump-free.
- Wet Mixture: Infuse sugar with orange zest, then blend with melted butter, eggs, orange juice, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and fragrant.
- Batter Assembly: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, minimizing stirring. Gently incorporate cranberries, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, leveling the surface. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should come out clean.
- Cooling and Finishing: Rest bread in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack using parchment paper. Create an optional glaze by whisking powdered sugar with orange juice and zest until silky.
- Serving: Once completely cooled, drizzle citrus glaze over the bread, allowing it to flow down the sides. Slice and serve to reveal the moist, vibrant interior.
Notes
- Zest with Care: Gently massage orange zest into sugar to release maximum citrus oils without bruising the delicate zest, enhancing the bread’s aromatic profile.
- Minimal Mixing Matters: Stir dry and wet ingredients just until combined to prevent gluten development, ensuring a tender, soft crumb texture.
- Cranberry Distribution Technique: Lightly coat cranberries in a tablespoon of flour before folding into batter to prevent sinking and create even berry placement throughout the loaf.
- Moisture Preservation Hack: Cover the bread loosely with aluminum foil midway through baking if the top browns too quickly, protecting the surface while allowing complete internal cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg