Description

This Amazing Cranberry Orange Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread bursting with tangy cranberries and fresh orange zest. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a festive treat, it combines the citrusy brightness with warm cinnamon and subtle almond notes to create a deliciously aromatic loaf that’s easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

2 large eggs, slightly beaten
8 oz canned whole cranberries in sauce
1 large orange, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons applesauce
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a bread loaf pan by spraying it with non-stick spray or greasing it thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir well to distribute all the dry ingredients evenly.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, canned cranberries in sauce, orange zest and juice, applesauce, almond extract, and vegetable or canola oil until fully blended.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir just until all ingredients are incorporated. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
Pour Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly to fill the pan.
Bake Bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Optional Muffin Version: For muffins, pour the batter into greased muffin tins, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake in the same oven for 20 to 23 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Notes

Use canned cranberries in sauce as fresh cranberries may alter moisture and bake time.
Do not overmix batter to avoid tough bread texture.
You can substitute vegetable oil with canola oil or mild olive oil.
Applesauce adds moisture and reduces the need for extra fat.
Store the bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry orange bread, quick bread, holiday bread, cranberry recipes, orange zest bread, moist bread, festive baking