Barefoot Contessa’s Zesty Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

Cranberry orange bread bursts with vibrant, festive flavors that dance across your palate like a winter celebration.

Seasonal bakers understand how this delightful quick bread transforms simple ingredients into a memorable treat.

Bright citrus notes mingle with tart cranberries, creating a perfectly balanced bite that feels both comforting and exciting.

Home kitchens come alive with the warm, inviting aroma of this classic quick bread as it bakes to golden perfection.

Soft, tender crumbs promise a delectable experience that bridges traditional baking with modern taste preferences.

This recipe offers a delightful way to elevate your breakfast or afternoon snack with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction: gather your ingredients and let the magic begin!

Tips for Perfect Texture and Tartness

• Zest with Care: Grate only the bright orange outer layer of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for the most vibrant citrus flavor.
• Prevent Cranberry Sinking: Toss fresh or dried cranberries in a little flour before adding to the batter to help them distribute evenly throughout the bread and prevent them from dropping to the bottom.
• Moisture Magic: Don't overmix the batter – stir just until ingredients are combined to keep the bread tender and prevent a tough, dense texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to preserve freshness for up to 3 months in the freezer.
• Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread – if it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.

Storage Secrets for Cranberry Orange Bread

• Sealed Container Method: Place cooled bread in an airtight glass container lined with paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Prevents staleness and maintains optimal texture for maximum flavor preservation.
• Freezer Preservation Method: Slice bread completely before wrapping in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Label container with date and contents for easy tracking of storage duration.
• Room Temperature Storage Method: Keep bread in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight inside a ceramic bread box with ventilation. Consume within 2-3 days for freshest taste and texture, ensuring minimal quality degradation.

Tangy Variations to Liven Up the Bread

• Lemon Cranberry Delight: Replace orange zest and juice with lemon zest and juice for a bright, citrusy flavor profile. Swap orange glaze with lemon glaze to enhance the tangy notes.
• Spiced Cranberry Comfort: Add ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cardamom to the dry ingredients. Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and warmth.
• Berry Blend Bread: Mix in additional berries like blueberries or chopped raspberries alongside the cranberries. Create a mixed berry glaze by using a combination of berry juices for a vibrant, fruity topping.
• Chocolate Cranberry Fusion: Fold in dark chocolate chips to the batter for a rich, decadent version. Drizzle with a chocolate-orange glaze by mixing melted chocolate with orange zest.

A Festive Finish to Barefoot Contessa’s Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry orange bread emerges as winter’s most delightful comfort companion, blending tangy citrus with sweet-tart berries in perfect harmony.

Barefoot Contessa’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that speaks directly to home bakers’ hearts.

Fragrant orange zest and juicy cranberries create a sensory journey through each delectable slice.

Warm spices and bright citrus notes dance across palates, inviting memories of cozy kitchen moments.

Bakers seeking a crowd-pleasing treat will find this recipe an absolute winner for gatherings or quiet afternoons.

Passionate cooks: dive into this delicious adventure, share your masterpiece on social media, spark conversation with fellow baking enthusiasts, and let your culinary creativity shine bright!

Why Barefoot Contessa’s Cranberry Orange Bread Delights

• Burst with Zesty Flavors: This cranberry orange bread delivers a vibrant punch of citrusy goodness, blending sweet orange zest with tart cranberries that dance on your taste buds and create a memorable flavor experience.
• Perfectly Moist Texture Delight: The buttermilk and oil combination guarantees an incredibly tender, soft crumb that stays wonderfully moist, making each slice feel like a luxurious treat that melts in your mouth.
• Simple Weekend Baking Triumph: With straightforward ingredients and easy mixing method, this recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels to create a bakery-worthy bread without complicated techniques or professional training.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Breakfast: Ideal for leisurely weekend mornings, brunch gatherings, or delightful afternoon snacks, this bread serves multiple occasions while impressing family and friends with its gorgeous orange glaze and beautiful cranberry specks.

The Ingredients in Cranberry Orange Bread

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• All-Purpose Flour: Main structure and base for the bread.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Helps bread rise and creates light texture.

• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and creates tender, soft bread.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps bread moist and soft.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure.
• Orange Juice: Adds bright citrus flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and subtle sweetness.

• Orange Zest: Provides intense citrus aroma and flavor.
• Fresh Cranberries: Adds tartness and bursts of fruity texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze.

Baking Instructions for Cranberry Orange Bread

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Coat two 9×5 inch loaf pans with cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 2: Create Fragrant Sugar Base

• Granulated sugar
• Fresh orange zest

Rub ingredients together to release citrusy oils.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Baking powder

Blend thoroughly until well combined.

Step 4: Combine Wet Components

• Buttermilk
• Vegetable oil
• Large eggs
• Fresh orange juice
• Pure vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and consistent.

Step 5: Create Bread Batter

Slowly incorporate wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 6: Add Cranberry Burst

Fold halved cranberries into batter, distributing evenly throughout mixture.

Step 7: Fill Loaf Pans

Divide batter equally between prepared pans, smoothing tops with a spatula.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide pans into preheated oven. Bake 60-75 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. If bread browns quickly, shield with aluminum foil.

Step 9: Cool Down

Let bread rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and allow complete cooling.

Step 10: Craft Zesty Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Orange juice
• Orange zest

Blend until silky smooth.

Step 11: Finish With Glaze

Drizzle glaze generously over cooled bread. Slice and serve with joy.

Barefoot Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s cranberry orange bread delivers a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors, blending zesty citrus notes with rich, moist crumb. Packed with fresh cranberries and orange zest, this delightful quick bread brings warmth to your kitchen and invites you to savor each delectable slice.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 3 cups (384 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) buttermilk
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) vegetable or canola oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Orange zest from 2 large oranges

Fruit and Glaze Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries, halved
• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 ½ teaspoons orange zest

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blend granulated sugar with fragrant orange zest in a spacious mixing vessel, creating an aromatic base for the quick bread.
2. Sift together all-purpose flour, fine salt, and leavening powder, incorporating these dry components into the sugar mixture until evenly distributed.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, vigorously whisk buttermilk, neutral vegetable oil, fresh eggs, freshly squeezed orange juice, and pure vanilla extract until the liquid ingredients form a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
5. Carefully fold halved fresh cranberries into the bread batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9×5 inch (23×13 centimeters) loaf pans by generously coating with cooking spray or butter.
7. Evenly distribute the batter between the prepared loaf pans, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
8. Place the loaf pans in the preheated oven and bake for 60-75 minutes, monitoring closely and covering with aluminum foil if the bread browns too quickly.
9. Verify doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center of the loaves; it should emerge without any raw batter clinging to it.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the loaves to rest in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
11. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with fresh orange juice and additional orange zest until achieving a smooth, pourable consistency.
12. Once the bread has completely cooled, drizzle the vibrant orange glaze over the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides of the loaves.
13. Slice and serve, enjoying the delightful blend of citrusy and tart flavors.

Notes

• Zest oranges right before mixing to capture the most vibrant citrus essence and brighten the bread’s overall flavor profile.
• Dried cranberries work perfectly when fresh ones aren’t in season, but remember to plump them in warm water for better texture and moisture absorption.
• Gently fold ingredients to maintain air pockets, creating a soft, delicate crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Checking doneness with a toothpick prevents overbaking and ensures a moist, tender orange cranberry bread.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, helping create a more uniform and consistent batter.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 1085 kcal
• Sugar: 215 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 47 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 40 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 158 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 186 mg