Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite breakfast treat—*cranberry orange bread*! This delightful loaf is bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh cranberries and zesty orange, making it the perfect pick-me-up for your morning routine or a sweet snack any time of day. Picture this: you slice into the warm, moist bread, and the tantalizing aroma wafts through the kitchen, instantly lifting your spirits. Trust me, it’s hard to resist a second slice! I love making this bread during the holidays or just whenever I need a cozy moment. It’s quick to whip up and will impress everyone who gets a taste. Let’s get baking—you’re going to love it as much as I do!
Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Bread
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this delightful cranberry orange bread! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of your bread, giving it the perfect structure.
- 1 cup fresh cranberries: These little gems add a burst of tartness that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of sugar.
- 1 orange, zested and juiced: The zest adds a fragrant, citrusy flavor, while the juice keeps the bread moist and flavorful.
- 1 cup sugar: This sweetens the bread—feel free to adjust to your taste, but I find this amount is just right!
- 1/2 cup butter, softened: Butter contributes richness and moisture, making each slice melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- 2 eggs: Eggs help bind everything together while adding a lovely texture to the loaf.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: This helps the bread rise, giving it that light and fluffy texture we all love.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: A little extra lift to ensure your bread is perfectly fluffy!
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to elevate all those wonderful flavors.
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional): If you like a bit of crunch, toss these in! They add a lovely nutty flavor.
Don’t worry if you don’t have walnuts on hand; you can easily skip them or swap them for your favorite nuts. Now that you’ve got your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the preparation!
How to Prepare Cranberry Orange Bread
Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because it helps the bread rise perfectly and ensures even baking. Trust me, a hot oven makes all the difference!
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk them together until well blended. This simple mix is the foundation of your bread, so be thorough!
Cream Butter and Sugar
In another bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. I usually use an electric mixer for this to get that airy texture, which makes your bread so delightful!
Combine Wet Ingredients
Add in 2 eggs, along with the freshly squeezed juice and zest of 1 orange to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix everything together well until it’s smooth and fully combined. The aroma is already heavenly!
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. I like to do this in batches, mixing gently after each addition until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense loaf, and we definitely want that light, fluffy texture!
Add Cranberries and Walnuts
Next, fold in 1 cup of fresh cranberries and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts if you’re using them. Be gentle so you don’t crush the cranberries; we want those beautiful bursts of flavor in every bite!
Bake the Bread
Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake it in your preheated oven for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it—every oven is a little different!
Cooling Instructions
Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps it set up nicely and makes slicing easier!
Nutritional Information
Each slice of this delicious cranberry orange bread is about 200 calories, with 8g of fat, 3g of protein, and 30g of carbohydrates. It also contains 10g of sugar and 150mg of sodium. Keep in mind, these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used!
Tips for Success
To ensure your cranberry orange bread turns out perfectly, here are a few tips I swear by! First, make sure your butter is truly softened; it should be at room temperature for easy creaming. If you want to mix things up, feel free to swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor. Also, don’t skip the zest—it adds so much brightness! For storage, keep the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze it for up to three months. Just remember to let it cool completely before wrapping it up for freezing.
FAQ about Cranberry Orange Bread
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work just as well. Just toss them in while they’re still frozen; there’s no need to thaw them first!
Can I add other fruits?
Sure! Feel free to experiment with blueberries or chopped apples for a different flavor profile. Just remember to adjust the sugar if the fruit is particularly sweet!
How do I store leftover bread?
Store your cranberry orange bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep it longer, slice it and freeze it for up to three months.
What can I serve with cranberry orange bread?
This bread pairs wonderfully with cream cheese or a light butter spread. You can also enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee for a cozy treat!
Can I make this bread gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and you’ll have a delicious gluten-free version!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cranberry orange bread is not just a treat; it’s a delightful experience! Here are a few reasons why you’ll fall head over heels for it:
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in no time, making it perfect for busy mornings or last-minute guests.
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of tart cranberries and zesty orange creates a flavor profile that’s simply irresistible!
- Versatile: Enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a dessert—it’s perfect for any occasion.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Bake it in advance and store it for those days when you need a quick pick-me-up.
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite nuts or even chocolate chips for an extra treat!
Cranberry Orange Bread: 7 Reasons You’ll Crave This Delight
- Gesamtzeit: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Ertrag: 1 loaf 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
A delicious cranberry orange bread perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Zutaten
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
Anweisungen
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light.
- Add eggs, orange juice, and zest; mix well.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
- Fold in cranberries and walnuts, if using.
- Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Can be frozen for up to three months.
- Try adding chocolate chips for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 60 minutes
- Kategorie: Baking
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 slice
- Kalorien: 200
- Zucker: 10g
- Natrium: 150mg
- Fett: 8g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 5g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 30g
- Faser: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterin: 35mg
Keywords: cranberry orange bread, quick bread, baking, holiday recipes
