Description
This Best Orange Cranberry Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf combining the tartness of fresh cranberries with the bright zest and juice of oranges. Perfectly sweetened and topped with a smooth orange glaze, this bread is ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup canola oil
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined; set aside.
- Combine Sugar and Orange Zest: In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and orange zest together with a spoon until the sugar takes on a light orange hue; set aside.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a third large bowl, whisk the buttermilk, canola oil, orange juice, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Mixtures: Add the dry flour mixture and the orange zest sugar mixture to the wet ingredients and whisk until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add Cranberries: Gently fold in the fresh cranberries with a wooden spoon or spatula until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 75 minutes, covering loosely with foil if the bread begins to brown too quickly.
- Check Doneness and Cool: The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a very light crumb. Remove from oven and let cool 10-15 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Make Glaze: While the bread cools, combine powdered sugar and orange juice in a medium bowl. Whisk or use a hand mixer on low speed until smooth and creamy, adjusting orange juice to desired consistency.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the bread is completely cooled, drizzle the orange glaze over the top, slice, and serve.
Notes
- The calories listed are approximate for one slice (1/10 of the loaf) and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
- If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen cranberries can be used but may affect texture slightly.
- The glaze thickness can be adjusted by adding more or less orange juice depending on desired drizzle consistency.
- Covering the bread with foil halfway through baking prevents over-browning while ensuring it cooks through.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
