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 traditional 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

Additional moist texture because of a full cup of applesauce and melted butter.
Plenty of orange taste from juice, zest, and only a contact of orange extract.
Optionally available glaze soaks into the loaf for further 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 further moisture and a lightweight sweetness that ties every part collectively. That is the type of fast bread that one way or the other disappears quicker than anybody admits to consuming it. It really works for brunch, snacking, gifting, or stealing a slice once you’re imagined to be cleansing the kitchen.

Ingredient Notes

Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Be certain 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 further smooth. Use whichever you like.
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 effective too.
Vanilla Extract: Attempt to use the true factor.
Orange Extract: This boosts the citrus taste. If you happen to don’t have any, add another teaspoon of zest.
Salt: Common desk salt works completely.
Baking Soda: Verify that it’s recent to make sure a great rise.
Baking Powder: Be certain that it’s not expired or the loaf might bake dense.
All-Goal Flour: Scoop and sweep methodology of measuring is most popular.
Craisins: You’ll be able to change with 1 cup recent or frozen cranberries, chopped. Recent or frozen gives you a extra tart taste.
Orange Zest: Solely zest the highest orange layer and keep away from the white pith for the most effective taste.

Recent vs Dried Cranberries

You’ll be able to completely use both dried cranberries or recent ones on this bread. Craisins provide you with a sweeter, chewier chunk with no further prep. Recent or frozen cranberries make the bread extra tart, so anticipate a brighter taste.

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

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

Inform When Quickbread is Performed

Fast breads can look completed on prime lengthy earlier than the middle is prepared. The best method to examine 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 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 must also 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 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 just a little 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 regulate them as soon as they begin smelling superb.

Glaze Suggestions

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

Serving Strategies

This bread is nice heat, cool, toasted, or sliced straight from the counter. You’ll be able to serve it with butter, cream cheese, or nothing in any respect. It additionally seems to be nice on a brunch desk. And when you’ve got a slice left the following morning, turning it into French toast is rarely a foul 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 just a little longer. The glaze helps maintain the loaf moist, so it holds up effectively.

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. It’s also possible to freeze particular person slices for fast breakfasts. Thaw the loaf or slices at room temperature.