Amazing Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
This Amazing Cranberry Orange Bread is a moist, flavorful loaf combining the tartness of whole cranberries with fresh orange zest and juice. Enhanced with warm cinnamon and a hint of almond extract, this quick bread makes a delightful snack or breakfast treat that is easy to prepare and perfect for the holiday season or any time you crave a sweet and tangy treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices) or 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (slightly beaten)
- 8 oz canned whole cranberries in sauce
- 1 large orange (zested and juiced)
- 2 tablespoons applesauce
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or spray a bread loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set this bowl aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the slightly beaten eggs, canned cranberries in sauce, orange zest and juice, applesauce, almond extract, and vegetable oil until well blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold and mix just until all ingredients are incorporated without overmixing to keep the bread light and tender.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly.
- Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Optional Muffin Variation: For muffins, spoon the batter into greased muffin tins filling each about 2/3 full. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh cranberries for canned, but make sure to blend them into a sauce or finely chop to distribute evenly.
- Applesauce acts as a natural fat replacer and keeps the bread moist while reducing calories.
- Adjust sugar quantity based on your preference for sweetness.
- Store bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- This bread freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To enhance texture, you can fold in chopped nuts or add dried fruits if desired.
Keywords: cranberry bread, orange bread, quick bread, holiday bread, sweet bread, cinnamon cranberry bread
