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Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry Orange Bread
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Cranberry Orange Bread is a cozy, moist holiday loaf bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh oranges and tart cranberries. This festive bread balances sweet and tangy notes perfectly, making it ideal for breakfast, dessert, gifting, or a special snack during the holiday season.

Ingredients

Scale

Citrus & Fruit

  • 2 fresh oranges (zest and juice)
  • 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (optionally mix with 1/4 cup brown sugar for deeper flavor)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter or neutral oil (e.g., vegetable or coconut oil for vegan)
  • 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan variant)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Zest and juice the fresh oranges. Measure out cranberries and dry ingredients. Bring butter (or oil) and eggs to room temperature for easier mixing.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute all leavening agents and salt.
  3. Cream Wet Ingredients: Using a mixer or whisk, beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the orange juice, zest, and vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender and moist.
  5. Fold in Cranberries: Gently stir in the cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  6. Bake: Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean or with a few crumbs attached.
  7. Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use fresh oranges and cranberries for the best flavor and appearance.
  • Do not overmix batter; mixing until just combined will yield a tender crumb.
  • If using fresh cranberries, you may need to increase baking time slightly due to extra moisture.
  • Test doneness with a toothpick to avoid under- or over-baking.
  • Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing for easier handling and better texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry, orange, bread, holiday, festive, moist, citrus, tart, sweet, vegan option, gluten free option

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/cranberry-orange-bread/