Cranberry Orange Bread is nice for breakfast, snacking, or wrapping up a loaf to share. This model leans into all the things you need from the basic combo. The applesauce and melted butter make the loaf keep moist for days. And the orange juice, zest, and a tiny trace of orange extract provide you with a strong citrus vibe with out going overboard.
Make fast breads like this of any taste utilizing my base quick bread recipe.
Why My Recipe
- Additional moist texture due to a full cup of applesauce and melted butter.
- A number of orange taste from juice, zest, and only a contact of orange extract.
- Optionally available glaze soaks into the loaf for further moisture and a candy end.


The glaze will get poured over the loaf whereas the bread continues to be heat and it soaks proper in. It provides further moisture and a lightweight sweetness that ties all the things collectively. That is the form of fast bread that by some means disappears sooner than anybody admits to consuming it. It really works for brunch, snacking, gifting, or stealing a slice if you’re purported to be cleansing the kitchen.
Ingredient Notes
- Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Make certain it’s unsweetened so the bread doesn’t end up too candy.
- Brown Sugar: Mild or darkish brown sugar each work. Darkish provides a deeper taste.
- Melted Butter: Butter provides higher taste, whereas oil retains the loaf further tender. Use whichever you like.
- Orange Juice: Contemporary or bottled each work. There’s not sufficient juice within the orange you zest to make each the bread and the glaze.
- Giant Egg: A room-temperature egg mixes extra easily, however straight from the fridge is completely effective too.
- Vanilla Extract: Attempt to use the actual factor.
- Orange Extract: This boosts the citrus taste. If you happen to don’t have any, add yet one more teaspoon of zest.
- Salt: Common desk salt works completely.
- Baking Soda: Verify that it’s contemporary to make sure rise.
- Baking Powder: Make certain it’s not expired or the loaf might bake dense.
- All-Goal Flour: Scoop and sweep technique of measuring is most well-liked.
- Craisins: You’ll be able to exchange with 1 cup contemporary or frozen cranberries, chopped. Contemporary or frozen offers you a extra tart taste.
- Orange Zest: Solely zest the highest orange layer and keep away from the white pith for the perfect taste.
Contemporary vs Dried Cranberries
You’ll be able to completely use both dried cranberries or contemporary ones on this bread. Craisins provide you with a sweeter, chewier chew with no further prep. Contemporary or frozen cranberries make the bread extra tart, so anticipate a brighter taste.
If utilizing contemporary or frozen, give them a fast chop in order that they distribute evenly. There isn’t any want to regulate the baking time or the batter. Simply know the bread will style rather less candy, and that’s fully okay.
Optionally available Add-Ins
This bread is versatile if you wish to change it up. A handful of chopped pecans or walnuts provides a pleasant crunch. White chocolate chips soften into little candy pockets.
You can even swap the craisins for chopped contemporary or frozen cranberries if you need a extra tart taste. So long as you don’t overload the batter, it can bake up properly.
Easy methods to Inform When Quickbread is Completed
Fast breads can look completed on high lengthy earlier than the middle is prepared. The best approach to test for doneness is with a toothpick. Insert it into the middle of the loaf. If it comes out clear or with just some crumbs, you’re good to go. If it comes out gooey, give the bread one other 5 to 10 minutes and test once more. The highest also needs to spring again flippantly when pressed.


Loaf Pan Dimension Choices
This recipe is written for an 8 by 4 inch loaf pan, however you continue to have choices. A 9 by 5 inch pan will work. The loaf will bake a bit flatter and end sooner, so begin checking it about ten minutes early.
You can even cut up the batter into mini loaf pans. These usually bake in about 25 to half-hour. Simply keep watch over them as soon as they begin smelling wonderful.
Glaze Ideas
One of the best time to pour the glaze is when the loaf is sizzling from the oven. It soaks proper in and provides further moisture and taste. I’ve you make extra glaze than you really need as a result of in any other case it’s too onerous to cook dinner in such small quantities. Simply give it , sugary soak.
Serving Recommendations
This bread is nice heat, cool, toasted, or sliced straight from the counter. You’ll be able to serve it with butter, cream cheese, or nothing in any respect. It additionally appears to be like nice on a brunch desk. And when you’ve got a slice left the subsequent morning, turning it into French toast isn’t a foul thought.
Storage & Freezing
Retailer leftover Cranberry Orange Bread in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 3 days. In case your kitchen runs heat, place it within the fridge as an alternative to maintain it a bit longer. The glaze helps hold the loaf moist, so it holds up nicely.
Freezing Directions: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer protected bag or container. Freeze for as much as 3 months. You can even freeze particular person slices for fast breakfasts. Thaw the loaf or slices at room temperature.
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