Description
This Orange Cranberry Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread perfect for breakfast or a holiday treat. Bursting with fresh orange zest and tart cranberries, it combines a delightful citrus aroma with sweet and tangy notes. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, it makes a wonderful addition to any brunch table or snack time.
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 flour (for tossing cranberries)
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix fresh orange juice, orange zest, vegetable oil or melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and ensure a tender crumb.
- Prepare Cranberries: Toss the chopped cranberries with 1 tablespoon of flour to help prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf during baking.
- Fold Cranberries Into Batter: Gently fold the floured cranberries into the batter, distributing them evenly without overmixing.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the loaf pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean slices.
Notes
- If using frozen cranberries, add them directly to the batter without thawing to maintain their shape and texture.
- For enhanced orange flavor, consider drizzling the cooled bread with a simple glaze made by mixing powdered sugar with fresh orange juice.
