Sweet Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe: Zesty Morning Joy

Bursting with vibrant flavors, this cranberry orange bread weaves together tart berries and zesty citrus in a delightful dance of taste.

The combination of bright orange zest and juicy cranberries creates a mouthwatering bakery-style treat that sings with seasonal charm.

Rich, tender crumb meets tangy fruit in every single slice of this irresistible quick bread.

Tender and moist, the bread delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tart notes that wake up your taste buds.

Bakers of all skill levels can easily master this simple yet impressive recipe that looks like it came straight from a gourmet bakery.

A sprinkle of sugar on top adds a delicate crunch that makes each bite sparkle with festive delight.

Warm from the oven, this bread promises to become your new favorite breakfast or afternoon snack companion.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 75 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Calories: 532 kcal

Servings: 2

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cranberry Orange Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and backbone to the bread, choose unbleached flour for better texture and flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a golden-brown crust, opt for pure cane sugar for best results.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the bread rises and becomes light and fluffy, check freshness by testing its reactivity.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness, use room temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the bread, can substitute with milk and lemon juice.
• Orange Juice: Infuses bright citrus flavor and moisture, freshly squeezed works best.
• Canola Oil: Creates a tender crumb and keeps bread moist, can replace with vegetable or light olive oil.

• Fresh Cranberries: Provide tart bursts and beautiful color, choose plump and firm berries.
• Orange Zest: Intensifies citrus aroma and adds concentrated flavor, use microplane for fine zesting.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens overall flavor complexity, pure extract offers the most authentic taste.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, drizzleable glaze, sift to prevent lumps.
• Orange Juice: Thins sugar and adds citrus brightness to the topping.

Tools That Help Bake Cranberry Orange Bread Smoothly

• Loaf pan (9×5-inch): Essential for baking the bread with the perfect shape and size.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining wet ingredients and creating the main batter.
• Medium mixing bowl: Used for dry ingredients and preparing sugar-zest mixture.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending wet ingredients smoothly and creating a consistent mixture.
• Zester or grater: Helps extract fresh orange zest for flavor enhancement.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Toothpick: Helps check bread doneness by testing the center.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows bread to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Small bowl: Useful for preparing the orange glaze.
• Spatula: Helps fold cranberries and transfer batter into the pan.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread Easily

• Oven Preparation A warm kitchen awaits with the oven gently heating to a toasty 350°F, creating the perfect environment for our delightful bread adventure.
• Dry Ingredients Harmony Whisper-soft flour mingles with baking powder and salt, forming a beautiful powdery landscape that will soon transform into something magical.
• Zesty Sugar Magic Orange zest dances through granulated sugar, releasing incredible citrusy fragrance and creating a vibrant base for our bread's personality.
• LiquidAlchemy Buttermilk, oil, fresh orange juice, eggs, and vanilla swirl together in a beautiful symphony, promising rich and tender moments in every slice.
• Gentle Mixture Technique Flour blend and zesty sugar softly kiss the liquid ingredients, creating a tender batter that promises delicate crumb and luxurious texture.
• Cranberry Constellation Bright ruby-red cranberries scatter throughout the batter, adding bursts of tangy excitement and visual drama.
• Baking Transformation The bread nestles into its pan, journeying through 65-75 minutes of golden transformation, emerging as a stunning centerpiece with potential foil protection if browning accelerates.
• Cooling Ritual Bread rests peacefully, transitioning from hot oven to room temperature, building anticipation for the final gloriously sweet touch.
• Glaze Finale Powdered sugar and orange juice create a silky waterfall of sweetness, ready to cascade over our cooled bread masterpiece.

Flavor Tips for Cranberry Orange Bread

• Add a sprinkle of turbinado sugar on top before baking for a delightful crunchy texture that elevates the bread's appearance.
• Swap cranberries with blueberries, chopped dried cherries, or raspberries for a delicious seasonal twist that keeps the recipe exciting.
• Wrap the completely cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a delectable treat is always ready when unexpected guests arrive.
• Enhance the orange flavor by adding a teaspoon of orange extract to the wet ingredients or incorporating finely chopped candied orange peel into the batter for an extra citrusy punch.
• Fold in a half-cup of chopped pecans or sliced almonds to introduce a delightful crunch and nutty undertone that complements the bread's fruity profile.

Ways to Serve Cranberry Orange Bread Fresh

• Breakfast Bliss: Pair this tangy cranberry orange bread with a steaming cup of coffee or tea for a delightful morning treat that'll kickstart your day with zesty flavor.
• Dessert Delight: Transform this bread into a stunning dessert by topping each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of fresh orange zest for an elegant touch.
• Gifting Goodness: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper and tie with a rustic ribbon for a homemade gift that will make friends and family feel extra special during holidays or special occasions.
• Brunch Bonanza: Serve alongside a fresh fruit salad or creamy yogurt to create a balanced and colorful brunch spread that will impress your guests with minimal effort.

How to Store and Save Cranberry Orange Bread

• Refrigeration Strategy: Keep your cranberry orange bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or sealed container to maintain moisture for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cold storage helps prevent quick staleness and preserves delicate flavors.
• Freezing Technique: Slice bread completely before freezing individual portions in freezer-safe bags. Frozen bread remains delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed, allowing convenient grab-and-go breakfast or snack options.
• Room Temperature Tip: When enjoying within 2 days, store bread at ambient temperature inside an airtight container. Countertop storage works wonderfully for maintaining soft texture and preventing unnecessary moisture loss.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare bread batter night before baking, storing mixed ingredients covered in refrigerator. Morning preparation becomes super quick, letting you enjoy fresh-baked goodness without extensive morning kitchen work.

Heavenly Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Homemade apple pie cinnamon rolls blend classic dessert flavors into a comforting breakfast treat. Warm spices and sweet apple filling create a delightful pastry you’ll crave with morning coffee.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 packs Pillsbury Grands cinnamon rolls (5 count)
• 4 large apples (2 honeycrisp and 2 granny Smith)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup melted butter
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps milk
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 3 tbsps water
• 5 tbsps butter (partially melted)
• Butter for greasing muffin tin

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and thoroughly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with unsalted butter for seamless release.
2. Dough Formation: Unfurl each cinnamon roll and carefully press into muffin cups, allowing dough to climb sides and create a deep reservoir for filling.
3. Apple Preparation: Thinly slice apples into delicate half-moons, then combine with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a microwave-safe bowl.
4. Filling Creation: Microwave apple mixture for 2-3 minutes, stirring midway, until apples transform into tender, caramelized compote with glossy syrup.
5. Assembly: Distribute the aromatic apple filling into each cinnamon roll cavity, ensuring even distribution without overflowing.
6. Streusel Topping: Blend flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter cubes with fingertips to craft a rustic, crumbly streusel texture.
7. Topping Application: Lavishly scatter streusel over apple-filled rolls, creating a complete golden-brown crunchy layer.
8. Baking Process: Place in preheated oven, initially covering with foil for 5 minutes to prevent excessive browning, then bake uncovered for remaining time.
9. Finishing Touch: Craft a silky icing by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until achieving a smooth, glossy consistency.
10. Serving: Allow rolls to cool briefly, then generously drizzle with prepared icing and serve while warm for maximum flavor and texture.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking Strategy: Generously butter the muffin tin to ensure easy removal and beautiful presentation of each roll.
• Apple Prep Precision: Slice apples uniformly thin to guarantee even cooking and consistent caramelization throughout the filling.
• Microwave Magic: Heat apple mixture carefully to develop rich, glossy syrup without turning fruit mushy, stirring midway for perfect texture.
• Streusel Success: Use cold butter and fingertips to create coarse crumbs, ensuring a crispy, crumbly topping that adds delightful texture to the rolls.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg