Zesty Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe: Bright Morning Joy
Baking a delightful easy orange cranberry bread can turn an ordinary afternoon into a citrusy celebration of flavor.
Zesty orange notes dance harmoniously with tart cranberries in this simple quick bread.
Bursting with bright, tangy notes, this recipe promises a delectable treat that comes together in mere minutes.
The blend of sweet and tart creates a mouthwatering experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Fresh cranberries punctuate each slice with vibrant color and intense flavor.
Soft, moist, and incredibly straightforward, this bread serves as a perfect companion to morning coffee or an afternoon snack.
Dive into this delicious recipe and let your taste buds revel in a symphony of citrusy, berry-filled goodness.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Calories: 210 kcal
Servings: 13
What You Need to Make Orange Cranberry Bread
For Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and creates tender crumb for the bread's base.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden-brown caramelization.
Baking Powder: Ensures light and fluffy texture with perfect rise.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
For Wet Ingredients:
Buttermilk: Delivers tangy flavor and helps tenderize the bread's texture.
Vegetable Oil: Keeps bread moist and contributes to soft crumb.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide richness.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warm aromatic undertones.
For Flavor Boosters:
Orange Zest: Infuses bright citrusy notes and intense orange essence.
Fresh Orange Juice: Amplifies citrus flavor and adds natural moisture.
Cranberries: Introduces tart bursts and beautiful color contrast.
Kitchen Essentials for Orange Cranberry Bread
Loaf Pan: Essential for baking the bread with the right shape and size.
Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes removing the bread easier.
Medium Bowl: Perfect for mixing dry ingredients like flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar.
Large Bowl: Ideal for whisking wet ingredients such as orange zest, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and juice.
Whisk: Great for blending wet ingredients smoothly and breaking up egg clumps.
Knife: Used for checking bread doneness and slicing after cooling.
Zester or Grater: Needed to remove orange zest for adding bright citrus flavor.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
Spatula: Helps fold ingredients gently and scrape batter into the pan.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Orange Cranberry Bread
Zesty Citrus Cranberry Delight
Oven Preparation Cozy kitchen warmup begins by heating the oven to a toasty 350°F and nestling a loaf pan with parchment paper or a light butter coating.
Dry Ingredient Harmony Grab a mixing bowl and blend flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar into a soft, cloud-like powder waiting to transform.
Liquid Magic Create a vibrant mixture in another bowl, whisking together bright orange zest, creamy buttermilk, smooth oil, eggs, fresh orange juice, and vanilla extract until they dance together.
Tender Mixing Technique Gently fold dry ingredients into the liquid landscape, blending carefully to maintain a light, airy texture. Stop mixing just before everything looks perfectly combined.
Cranberry Burst Sprinkle chopped cranberries through the batter, giving a gentle stir to distribute their tangy jewels evenly without overwhelming the delicate mix.
Baking Adventure Pour the batter into the prepared pan and let it bake for about an hour. Your kitchen will fill with an irresistible citrusy aroma. The bread is ready when a knife glides cleanly through its center.
Cooling Moment Allow the bread to rest and cool completely before slicing into dreamy, tender pieces perfect for sharing or savoring solo.
Flavor Tips for Orange Cranberry Bread
Toss fresh cranberries in a tablespoon of flour before adding to prevent sinking and distribute evenly throughout the bread.
Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and depth of flavor, adding about 1/2 cup to the batter just before baking.
Whip up a simple orange glaze by mixing powdered sugar with fresh orange juice, drizzling over the cooled bread for an extra burst of citrusy sweetness.
Wrap the fully cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to store in the freezer for up to 3 months, perfect for make-ahead breakfast or snack options.
How to Serve Orange Cranberry Bread
Breakfast Companion: Pair this zesty orange cranberry bread with a creamy Greek yogurt topped with honey and sliced almonds for a balanced morning meal.
Holiday Dessert Twist: Serve warm slices alongside vanilla bean ice cream or as a festive addition to your thanksgiving or christmas dessert spread, garnished with fresh orange zest.
Afternoon Tea Delight: Cut into thin slices and enjoy with a cup of Earl Grey tea or a light chamomile brew, creating a perfect mid-afternoon snack that brings warmth and comfort.
Gifting Option: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper and tie with a rustic twine for a homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and spreads joy to friends and family.
Storage Tips for Orange Cranberry Bread
Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store your orange cranberry bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrapping the bread tightly helps maintain its moisture and prevents it from drying out.
Room Temperature Magic: Keep the bread at room temperature for 2-3 days, covered with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. This method works best if you plan to enjoy it quickly.
Freezer Friendly Option: Slice the bread before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap individual slices or the entire loaf in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen bread stays delicious for up to 3 months.
Quick Thawing Trick: Remove frozen bread slices and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. For a warm treat, gently toast the slice or warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Sweet and tangy orange cranberry bread combines zesty citrus with tart berries in a moist, tender loaf. Bakers seeking a delightful breakfast or afternoon treat will savor each slice packed with seasonal flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup (200 grams) sugar
1 ½ cups (190 grams) flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ cup (180 ml / 6 fl oz) buttermilk
½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) oil
2 large eggs
1 tbsp fresh orange juice
½ tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 3 large oranges
1 cup (150 grams) fresh cranberries (chopped or halved)
Instructions
Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a loaf pan with parchment paper or generously grease the interior to prevent sticking.
Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture that will provide structure and sweetness to the bread.
Wet Ingredient Transformation: Whisk orange zest, buttermilk, oil, eggs, fresh orange juice, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and fully integrated, releasing vibrant citrus aromas.
Batter Harmonization: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, using a delicate technique to merge the components without compromising the batter’s delicate texture.
Cranberry Integration: Delicately incorporate chopped cranberries into the batter, ensuring an even distribution of tart bursts throughout the mixture.
Pan Filling and Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface for uniform baking, and place in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, checking for doneness by inserting a knife into the center – it should emerge clean when the bread is fully cooked.
Cooling and Serving: Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan, then carefully remove and slice to reveal the moist, flavor-packed interior, ready to be enjoyed with its vibrant orange and cranberry profile.
Notes
Zest with Care: Use fresh orange zest to maximize bright, intense citrus flavor, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath the colorful outer layer.
Buttermilk Magic: Room temperature buttermilk helps create a tender, moist crumb by activating baking powder more effectively and ensuring smooth batter integration.
Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients minimally to prevent developing gluten, which could result in a tough, dense bread texture instead of a light, soft crumb.
Cranberry Distribution: Lightly coat chopped cranberries in a tablespoon of flour before adding to prevent sinking and ensure even spreading throughout the bread.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.