Description

This Orange Cranberry Bread is a delightful and moist quick bread perfect for breakfast or a snack. Bursting with tangy fresh cranberries, bright orange zest, and juice, combined with a tender crumb enriched with vegetable oil and a hint of vanilla. Optional nuts add a pleasant crunch, making it a festive and flavorful loaf ideal for holiday mornings or any time you crave a fruity, homemade treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon orange zest

Wet Ingredients

3/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (halved if large)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside to ensure the bread doesn’t stick after baking.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest to evenly distribute the leavening agents and flavor.
Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the orange juice, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until thoroughly blended for a smooth mixture.
Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough bread.
Fold in cranberries and nuts: Carefully fold in the cranberries and optional nuts to evenly distribute them without breaking the berries.
Pour batter and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes to firm up, then remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

You can use dried cranberries instead of fresh—reduce the amount to 1 cup and soak in warm water for 10 minutes before using to plump them up.
For an extra touch, add a light orange glaze by mixing powdered sugar with orange juice and drizzling over the cooled bread.