Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

Cranberry Orange Bread is a soft, moist, and flavorful quick bread that perfectly combines the bright citrus taste of fresh oranges with the sweet and tart flavor of cranberries. Every slice is filled with juicy cranberries and fragrant orange zest, creating a bakery style loaf that is perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or holiday celebrations.

This homemade bread is especially popular during the fall and winter seasons, making it a favorite for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year gatherings. It is easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients and does not require any yeast, making it an excellent choice for beginner bakers. The tender crumb, refreshing citrus aroma, and bursts of cranberry flavor make this bread a comforting treat that everyone will enjoy.

Whether served warm with butter, topped with cream cheese, or enjoyed alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea, Cranberry Orange Bread is a delicious recipe that is sure to become a family favorite. It also makes a thoughtful homemade gift during the holiday season.

Ingredients List

Recipe Information

Ingredients

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This bread is incredibly moist with a soft and tender texture.

The fresh orange zest adds a bright citrus aroma that pairs beautifully with tart cranberries.

It is easy to prepare without using yeast or complicated baking techniques.

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, holiday baking, or afternoon snacks.

It freezes well, making it a great make ahead recipe.

Every slice is packed with fresh fruit flavor and a beautiful festive appearance.

Step By Step Instructions

Prepare the oven by preheating it to 350°F. Grease a 9 × 5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent the bread from sticking and to make it easier to remove after baking.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Add the chopped cranberries and fresh orange zest, then gently toss them with the flour mixture so they are evenly coated. This helps keep the cranberries from sinking to the bottom of the loaf during baking.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, fresh orange juice, melted butter, sour cream, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing the batter, as this helps create a soft, moist, and tender bread.

Pour the prepared batter into the greased loaf pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil during the last few minutes of baking.

Once the bread is baked, allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve the Cranberry Orange Bread warm or at room temperature with butter, cream cheese, orange marmalade, or a drizzle of honey for a delicious homemade treat.

Variations To Try

You can easily customize Cranberry Orange Bread with a few simple variations to suit your taste. For a crunchy texture, stir one cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter to make a delicious Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread. If you enjoy sweeter desserts, add white chocolate chips to create a rich and indulgent White Chocolate Cranberry Bread that pairs perfectly with the tart cranberries.

For extra citrus flavor, drizzle the cooled loaf with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh orange juice to create a beautiful Orange Glazed Bread. If you prefer a heartier loaf, replace half of the all purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nutritious Whole Wheat Cranberry Bread that adds extra fiber without sacrificing flavor. For a refreshing twist, substitute the orange juice and orange zest with fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to make a bright and tangy Lemon Cranberry Bread that offers a completely different citrus experience.

Freezing Or Restoring

Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving.

Recipe Notes

Use fresh orange zest for the best citrus flavor.

Fresh or frozen cranberries both work well.

Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread soft.

Allow the bread to cool before slicing for cleaner cuts.

If the top begins browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

Recipe by Mian waqar

Servings

10

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

55

minutes

Calories

290

kcal

Ingredients

• IngredienttQuantity

• All purpose flourt2 cups

• Granulated sugart1 cup

• Baking powdert2 teaspoons

• Baking sodat½ teaspoon

• Saltt½ teaspoon

• Fresh cranberries, choppedt1½ cups

• Orange zestt1 tablespoon

• Fresh orange juicet½ cup

• Large eggst2

• Unsalted butter, meltedt½ cup

• Sour creamt½ cup

• Vanilla extractt1 teaspoon

Directions

• Step 1: Prepare The Oven
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Grease a 9 × 5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
• Step 2: Mix The Dry Ingredients
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Add the chopped cranberries and orange zest, then stir gently to coat them with the flour mixture.
• Step 3: Mix The Wet Ingredients
• In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, fresh orange juice, melted butter, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Step 4: Make The Batter
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
• Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix, as this helps create a soft and tender loaf.
• Step 5: Bake The Bread
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
• Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
• Step 6: Cool And Serve
• Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
• Transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
• Serve with butter, cream cheese, orange marmalade, or honey.

Recipe Video

Notes

• Fresh orange zest gives the bread the best citrus flavor and aroma.
  • Fresh or frozen cranberries both work well in this recipe.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread soft and moist.
  • Let the bread cool completely before slicing for clean, even slices.
  • Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  • Freeze the fully cooled loaf or individual slices for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes. Frozen cranberries work well and can be added directly to the batter without thawing.

Can I make this bread ahead of time?

Yes. Cranberry Orange Bread stays fresh for several days and is perfect for making ahead.

Can I use dried cranberries?

Yes. Dried cranberries can be substituted, although the bread will be sweeter and have a slightly different texture.

Why is my bread dense?

Overmixing the batter is the most common cause. Stir only until the ingredients are combined.

What can I serve with Cranberry Orange Bread?

It pairs wonderfully with butter, cream cheese, orange marmalade, honey, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

Conclusion

Cranberry Orange Bread is a delicious homemade quick bread filled with bright citrus flavor and juicy cranberries. Its soft texture, moist crumb, and festive appearance make it perfect for breakfast, brunch, holiday celebrations, or an afternoon snack.