Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
Introduction
Cranberry Orange Bread is a delightful combination of tart craisins and bright citrus flavors. This moist and fragrant loaf is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a sweet treat any time of day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter (or vegetable oil)
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1/2 cup orange juice (for glaze)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for glaze)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and lightly grease one 8×4 inch loaf pan.
- Step 2: Zest and juice 1 large orange. Set aside the zest and reserve the juice.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, melted butter, applesauce, 1/4 cup orange juice, egg, vanilla extract, and orange extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Stir in salt, baking soda, and baking powder until just combined. Add the flour and mix until incorporated. Fold in craisins and orange zest gently.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: While the bread is baking, combine 1/2 cup orange juice with granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then remove immediately from heat once boiling.
- Step 7: When the bread is done, spoon the warm glaze over the hot loaf in the pan. Let it stand for 15 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute fresh cranberries for craisins if you prefer a tangier, fresher taste.
- Use vegetable oil instead of butter for a lighter texture.
- Try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- For a stronger orange flavor, increase the orange zest to 3 tablespoons.
Storage
Store the cranberry orange bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave briefly until soft.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of craisins?
Yes, fresh cranberries work well but they will add more tartness and moisture. You may want to reduce other liquid slightly or add a bit more sugar to balance the flavor.
Is it okay to use orange juice concentrate or store-bought orange juice?
Absolutely. Fresh orange juice is best for bright flavor, but store-bought juice or concentrate diluted to taste can be used in this recipe without any issues.
PrintCranberry Orange Bread Recipe
This Cranberry Orange Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread bursting with the bright citrus aroma of fresh orange zest and juice, complemented by the tartness of craisins. Sweetened naturally with apple sauce and brown sugar, and finished with a tangy orange glaze, this loaf is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Batter
- 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter (or vegetable oil)
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
Glaze
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) and lightly grease one 8×4 inch loaf pan to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Prepare orange zest and juice: Zest and juice one large orange. Set both aside separately to use in the batter and glaze.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon orange extract until well combined.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder just until combined. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and stir until the batter is smooth and evenly mixed.
- Fold in fruit and zest: Gently fold in 1/2 cup craisins and 2 tablespoons orange zest, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Transfer and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Prepare orange glaze: While the bread is nearly done baking, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then immediately remove from heat once boiling.
- Apply glaze: As soon as the bread comes out of the oven, spoon the hot orange glaze over the loaf while it remains in the pan. This will soak into the bread, adding moisture and extra flavor.
- Cool the bread: Let the bread stand in the pan for 15 minutes to absorb the glaze fully. Then carefully remove it from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use vegetable oil instead of butter.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the bread tender.
- The glaze adds a beautiful shine and extra citrus flavor—don’t skip this step.
- The bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Freeze leftover bread slices for up to 3 months, thaw before serving.
Keywords: Cranberry Orange Bread, quick bread, citrus bread, holiday bread, craisin bread, orange glaze
