Cranberry Orange Bread
A delightful blend of sweet and tart flavors, this Cranberry Orange Bread makes for a comforting treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened Creamed until smooth
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice For the best flavor
- 2 tbsp orange zest For added aroma
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped To release their tartness
Glaze (Optional)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp orange juice To reach desired consistency
- 0.5 tsp orange zest For an aromatic finish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth and fluffy. Add the egg, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla, mixing well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix.
- Fold in the cranberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Baking
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness; it should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Glaze (Optional)
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth for the glaze.
- Slice the bread and enjoy, with or without the glaze.
Notes
Use freshly squeezed orange juice for better flavor and consider adding chopped nuts for a crunch.