Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry Orange Bread is nice for breakfast, snacking, or wrapping up a loaf to share. This model leans into all the things 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 strong citrus vibe with out going overboard.

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

Why My Recipe

Additional moist texture due to a full cup of applesauce and melted butter.
A lot of orange taste from juice, zest, and only a contact of orange extract.
Elective 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 all the things collectively. That is the type of fast bread that someway disappears sooner than anybody admits to consuming it. It really works for brunch, snacking, gifting, or stealing a slice whenever you’re alleged to be cleansing the kitchen.

Ingredient Notes

Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Ensure it’s unsweetened so the bread doesn’t end up 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 mushy. Use whichever you favor.
Orange Juice: Recent or bottled each work. There’s not sufficient juice within the orange you zest to make each the bread and the glaze.
Giant Egg: A room-temperature egg mixes extra easily, however straight from the fridge is completely high-quality too.
Vanilla Extract: Attempt to use the true factor.
Orange Extract: This boosts the citrus taste. For those who don’t have any, add yet another teaspoon of zest.
Salt: Common desk salt works completely.
Baking Soda: Verify that it’s contemporary to make sure rise.
Baking Powder: Ensure it’s not expired or the loaf might bake dense.
All-Function Flour: Scoop and sweep technique of measuring is most popular.
Craisins: You may substitute with 1 cup contemporary or frozen cranberries, chopped. Recent 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.

Recent vs Dried Cranberries

You may completely use both dried cranberries or contemporary ones on this bread. Craisins offer you a sweeter, chewier chew with no additional prep. Recent or frozen cranberries make the bread extra tart, so anticipate a brighter taste.

If utilizing contemporary or frozen, give them a fast chop in order that they distribute evenly. There is no such thing as a want to regulate the baking time or the batter. Simply know the bread will style rather less candy, and that’s fully okay.

Elective 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.

It’s also possible to change the craisins for chopped contemporary or frozen cranberries if you would like a extra tart taste. So long as you don’t overload the batter, it’ll bake up properly.

Find out how to Inform When Quickbread is Performed

Fast breads can look completed on prime lengthy earlier than the middle is prepared. The simplest approach 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 also needs to spring again evenly 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 Measurement 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 somewhat flatter and end sooner, so begin checking it about ten minutes early.

It’s also possible to cut up the batter into mini loaf pans. These usually bake in about 25 to half-hour. Simply control them as soon as they begin smelling superb.

Glaze Ideas

The most effective time to pour the glaze is when the loaf is scorching 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 arduous to prepare dinner in such small quantities. Simply give it , sugary soak.

Serving Solutions

This bread is nice heat, cool, toasted, or sliced straight from the counter. You may serve it with butter, cream cheese, or nothing in any respect. It additionally appears to be like nice on a brunch desk. And if in case you have a slice left the following morning, turning it into French toast isn’t a nasty concept.

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 a substitute to maintain it somewhat 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 secure bag or container. Freeze for as much as 3 months. It’s also possible to freeze particular person slices for fast breakfasts. Thaw the loaf or slices at room temperature.