Zesty Orange-Cranberry Delight Bread Recipe for Breakfast Joy

When the holiday season rolls around, nothing quite compares to the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked orange-cranberry delight bread wafting through your kitchen.

Bursting with zesty citrus notes and tart cranberry pops, this recipe promises a delectable treat that surprises and delights the senses.

Each slice delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that dance on your palate.

The combination of bright orange zest and juicy cranberries creates a festive quick bread that feels both rustic and elegant.

Moist, tender crumbs meld with intense fruit flavors, making this bread an irresistible companion to morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this straightforward recipe with ease.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s turn simple ingredients into a spectacular bread that will become your new seasonal favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 9

Everything You Need for Orange-Cranberry Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy foundation for the bread, ensuring a tender and soft texture with perfect crumb structure.
• Baking Powder: Helps the bread rise beautifully, creating a light and airy interior that melts in your mouth.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the bread's complex taste.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy smoothness and helps create a moist, tender crumb with deep golden color.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve a beautiful caramelized exterior with a soft, tender interior.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together, providing structure and contributing to the bread's rich, velvety texture.
• Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness, ensuring the bread remains soft and delectable.
• Orange Juice, Orange Zest: Infuse bright, citrusy notes that complement the cranberries and create a vibrant, refreshing flavor.

• Fresh Cranberries: Bring bursts of tart, juicy flavor and create beautiful color contrast throughout the bread.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, glossy glaze that adds a delicate sweetness and elegant finish.

Gather These Tools for Orange-Cranberry Bread

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing batter ingredients.
• Medium bowl: Used for whisking dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Measuring cup: Helps combine milk, orange zest, and orange juice accurately.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients and mixing glaze smoothly.
• Measuring spoons: Needed for precise ingredient measurements.
• Bread loaf pan (6-cup, 8 1/2 by 4 1/2): Shapes and bakes the bread.
• Wire rack: Allows bread to cool evenly after baking.
• Toothpick: Checks bread doneness by testing for clean insertion.
• Spatula: Helps fold cranberries into batter and transfer mixture to pan.

How to Make Orange-Cranberry Bread from Scratch

• Oven Preparation

Set your oven to a warm 350 degrees for perfect baking conditions.

• Pan Setup

Coat a bread loaf pan with a generous butter layer and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl, creating a smooth dry mixture.

• Liquid Harmony

Combine milk, most of the zesty orange shavings, and fresh orange juice in a measuring cup.

• Butter and Sugar Magic

Whip butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud-like texture, then gently incorporate eggs one at a time.

• Batter Symphony

Carefully alternate adding flour blend and liquid mixture to the creamy base, starting and finishing with flour for a balanced texture.

• Cranberry Infusion

Lightly coat cranberries in flour and softly fold into the batter to distribute evenly.

• Baking Journey

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean.

• Cooling Moment

Let bread rest in pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

• Glaze Creation

Blend powdered sugar, orange juice, and remaining zest into a silky smooth glaze.

• Final Touch

Drizzle glaze over completely cooled bread, creating a tempting citrusy finish.

Smart Prep Tips for Orange-Cranberry Bread

• Infuse the batter with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the warm, citrusy notes of the bread.
• Swap cranberries with fresh blueberries, chopped dried apricots, or toasted pecans for a delightful texture and flavor variation.
• Replace milk with almond milk or coconut milk, and use dairy-free butter alternative to create a wonderful vegan-friendly version of the bread.
• Experiment with the glaze by adding a splash of vanilla extract, a hint of almond extract, or a sprinkle of orange liqueur for an extra gourmet touch.
• Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 weeks for long-lasting enjoyment.

Best Ways to Serve Orange-Cranberry Bread

• Brunch Brilliance: Slice this zesty bread and serve alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad for a delightful weekend brunch centerpiece.
• Tea Time Treat: Pair a warm slice with your favorite hot tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon snack that brightens any day.
• Gifting Goodness: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a homemade gift that spreads joy to friends and neighbors.
• Dessert Upgrade: Transform this bread into a simple dessert by topping with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special touch.

Tips and Make-Ahead Ideas for Orange-Cranberry Bread

• Maximize Freshness: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor and moisture retention.
• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating, which extends its shelf life to 5-7 days without compromising taste.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Slice the bread before freezing, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Seal in a freezer-safe bag, where it will maintain quality for up to 2 months.
• Revive and Serve: Thaw frozen bread at room temperature or gently warm in the oven at 300˚F for 10-15 minutes to restore its original soft texture and bring back the vibrant orange-cranberry aroma.

Moist Orange-Cranberry Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade orange-cranberry delight bread combines zesty citrus notes with tart cranberry essence in a moist, rustic loaf. Family gatherings become special moments when sharing warm slices of this delectable quick bread that embraces seasonal flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml/12 fl oz) fresh cranberries, rinsed and patted dry
• 6 tbsps (85 g/3 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup (150 g/5.3 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups (180 g/6.3 oz) all-purpose flour
• ½ tbsp (4 g/0.14 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) milk, room temperature
• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 large orange zest, divided
• 1 cup (120 g/4.2 oz) powdered sugar
• 1 ½ tbsps (22 ml/0.7 fl oz) freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest, reserved from the orange above

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease an 8.5 by 4.5 inch loaf pan with butter, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until uniformly combined, creating a light and airy base for the bread.
3. Liquid Components: Blend milk, most of the orange zest, and fresh orange juice to create a fragrant liquid mixture that will infuse the bread with citrus essence.
4. Creaming Process: Use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and significantly increases in volume, creating a smooth foundation.
5. Egg Integration: Gradually add eggs to the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a consistent and silky batter.
6. Combining Mixtures: Alternately fold in flour mixture and milk mixture, starting and ending with flour, to maintain a balanced and smooth consistency throughout the batter.
7. Cranberry Distribution: Lightly dust cranberries with flour to prevent sinking, then gently fold into the batter to ensure even spread of fruit.
8. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly, and bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cooling and Resting: Allow bread to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, helping the bread set and maintain its structure.
10. Glaze Preparation: Whisk powdered sugar, remaining orange juice, and reserved orange zest until smooth and glossy, adjusting consistency as needed.
11. Finishing Touch: Once bread is completely cooled, drizzle glaze over the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides for an elegant and appetizing presentation.

Notes

• Prevent Cranberry Sinking: Lightly coat cranberries in flour to ensure even distribution throughout the bread and prevent them from settling at the bottom during baking.
• Achieve Smooth Batter: Mix ingredients gradually and alternate between flour and milk mixtures to create a consistent, lump-free texture that ensures even baking.
• Master Moisture Control: Let bread rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes after baking to help it set and prevent crumbling, resulting in a perfectly moist and intact loaf.
• Glaze Like a Pro: Adjust glaze consistency by adding orange juice or powdered sugar incrementally, creating a smooth, glossy finish that drizzles beautifully over the cooled bread.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg