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Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 129 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

  1. 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.
  2. Prepare orange zest and juice: Zest and juice one large orange. Set both aside separately to use in the batter and glaze.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Fold in fruit and zest: Gently fold in 1/2 cup craisins and 2 tablespoons orange zest, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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

Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/cranberry-orange-bread-recipe/