Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry Orange Bread is nice for breakfast, snacking, or wrapping up a loaf to share. This model leans into all the pieces 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 offer you a strong 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.
Plenty of orange taste from juice, zest, and only a contact of orange extract.
Non-compulsory 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 continues to be heat and it soaks proper in. It provides further moisture and a light-weight sweetness that ties all the pieces collectively. That is the sort 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 whenever you’re alleged to be cleansing the kitchen.

Ingredient Notes

Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Be sure that it’s unsweetened so the bread doesn’t prove too candy.
Brown Sugar: Mild or darkish brown sugar each work. Darkish provides a deeper taste.
Melted Butter: Butter provides higher taste, whereas oil retains the loaf further mushy. Use whichever you like.
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.
Giant Egg: A room-temperature egg mixes extra easily, however straight from the fridge is completely advantageous too.
Vanilla Extract: Attempt to use the true factor.
Orange Extract: This boosts the citrus taste. For those who don’t have any, add another teaspoon of zest.
Salt: Common desk salt works completely.
Baking Soda: Test that it’s contemporary to make sure a very good rise.
Baking Powder: Be sure that it’s not expired or the loaf might bake dense.
All-Goal Flour: Scoop and sweep technique of measuring is most popular.
Craisins: You’ll be able to exchange with 1 cup contemporary or frozen cranberries, chopped. Contemporary or frozen offers you a extra tart taste.
Orange Zest: Solely zest the highest orange layer and keep away from the white pith for the perfect taste.

Contemporary vs Dried Cranberries

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

If utilizing contemporary or frozen, give them a fast chop in order that they distribute evenly. There is no such thing as a want to regulate the baking time or the batter. Simply know the bread will style rather less candy, and that’s fully okay.

Non-compulsory 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 too can swap the craisins for chopped contemporary or frozen cranberries if you’d like a extra tart taste. So long as you don’t overload the batter, it should bake up properly.

Find out how to Inform When Quickbread is Completed

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 just some crumbs, you’re good to go. If it comes out gooey, give the bread one other 5 to 10 minutes and examine once more. The highest also needs to spring again calmly 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 slightly flatter and end sooner, so begin checking it about ten minutes early.

You too can cut up the batter into mini loaf pans. These sometimes bake in about 25 to half-hour. Simply control them as soon as they begin smelling wonderful.

Glaze Suggestions

The perfect time to pour the glaze is when the loaf is sizzling from the oven. It soaks proper in and provides further moisture and taste. I’ve you make extra glaze than you really need as a result of in any other case it’s too laborious to prepare dinner in such small quantities. Simply give it a very good, 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 appears to be like nice on a brunch desk. And when you’ve got a slice left the following morning, turning it into French toast isn’t a nasty concept.

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 an alternative to maintain it slightly longer. The glaze helps hold 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. You too can freeze particular person slices for fast breakfasts. Thaw the loaf or slices at room temperature.