Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry Orange Bread is nice for breakfast, snacking, or wrapping up a loaf to share. This model leans into every part 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 provide you with a stable citrus vibe with out going overboard.

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

Why My Recipe

Further 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.
Optionally available 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 remains to be heat and it soaks proper in. It provides additional moisture and a light-weight sweetness that ties every part collectively. That is the type of fast bread that someway disappears quicker than anybody admits to consuming it. It really works for brunch, snacking, gifting, or stealing a slice if you’re speculated to be cleansing the kitchen.

Ingredient Notes

Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Make sure that it’s unsweetened so the bread doesn’t prove 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 delicate. Use whichever you favor.
Orange Juice: Contemporary or bottled each work. There’s not sufficient juice within the orange you zest to make each the bread and the glaze.
Massive Egg: A room-temperature egg mixes extra easily, however straight from the fridge is completely superb too.
Vanilla Extract: Attempt to use the true factor.
Orange Extract: This boosts the citrus taste. In the event you don’t have any, add yet one more teaspoon of zest.
Salt: Common desk salt works completely.
Baking Soda: Verify that it’s recent to make sure rise.
Baking Powder: Make sure that it’s not expired or the loaf could bake dense.
All-Function Flour: Scoop and sweep methodology of measuring is most well-liked.
Craisins: You may change with 1 cup recent or frozen cranberries, chopped. Contemporary or frozen provides you with a extra tart taste.
Orange Zest: Solely zest the highest orange layer and keep away from the white pith for the most effective taste.

Contemporary vs Dried Cranberries

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

If utilizing recent or frozen, give them a fast chop so that they distribute evenly. There isn’t any want to regulate the baking time or the batter. Simply know the bread will style rather less candy, and that’s fully okay.

Optionally available 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.

You may also change the craisins for chopped recent 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.

The best way to Inform When Quickbread is Executed

Fast breads can look completed on prime lengthy earlier than the middle is prepared. The best strategy to test for doneness is with a toothpick. Insert it into the middle of the loaf. If it comes out clear or with only a few crumbs, you’re good to go. If it comes out gooey, give the bread one other 5 to 10 minutes and test once more. The highest must also spring again frivolously 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 Dimension 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 a bit of flatter and end sooner, so begin checking it about ten minutes early.

You may also break up the batter into mini loaf pans. These sometimes bake in about 25 to half-hour. Simply keep watch over them as soon as they begin smelling wonderful.

Glaze Suggestions

The most effective time to pour the glaze is when the loaf is sizzling from the oven. It soaks proper in and provides additional moisture and taste. I’ve you make extra glaze than you really want as a result of in any other case it’s too onerous to cook dinner in such small quantities. Simply give it , sugary soak.

Serving Strategies

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 is rarely a nasty thought.

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 a bit of longer. The glaze helps maintain the loaf moist, so it holds up properly.

Freezing Directions: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer protected bag or container. Freeze for as much as 3 months. You may also freeze particular person slices for fast breakfasts. Thaw the loaf or slices at room temperature.