Cranberry Orange Bread is nice for breakfast, snacking, or wrapping up a loaf to share. This model leans into every thing 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 offer you a stable citrus vibe with out going overboard.
Make fast breads like this of any taste utilizing my base quick bread recipe.
Why My Recipe
- Further moist texture because of a full cup of applesauce and melted butter.
- A lot of orange taste from juice, zest, and only a contact of orange extract.
- Elective 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 light-weight sweetness that ties every thing collectively. That is the sort of fast bread that one way or the other disappears quicker than anybody admits to consuming it. It really works for brunch, snacking, gifting, or stealing a slice once you’re purported to be cleansing the kitchen.
Ingredient Notes
- Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Be certain it’s unsweetened so the bread doesn’t prove too candy.
- Brown Sugar: Gentle 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 advantageous too.
- Vanilla Extract: Attempt to use the true factor.
- Orange Extract: This boosts the citrus taste. If you happen to don’t have any, add another teaspoon of zest.
- Salt: Common desk salt works completely.
- Baking Soda: Verify that it’s contemporary to make sure a superb rise.
- Baking Powder: Be certain it’s not expired or the loaf could bake dense.
- All-Function Flour: Scoop and sweep technique of measuring is most well-liked.
- Craisins: You possibly can substitute with 1 cup contemporary or frozen cranberries, chopped. Contemporary or frozen will provide you with a extra tart taste.
- Orange Zest: Solely zest the highest orange layer and keep away from the white pith for one of the best taste.
Contemporary vs Dried Cranberries
You possibly can completely use both dried cranberries or contemporary ones on this bread. Craisins offer you a sweeter, chewier chew with no further prep. Contemporary or frozen cranberries make the bread extra tart, so count on a brighter taste.
If utilizing contemporary or frozen, give them a fast chop so that they distribute evenly. There isn’t a want to regulate the baking time or the batter. Simply know the bread will style rather less candy, and that’s utterly okay.
Elective 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 change the craisins for chopped contemporary or frozen cranberries if you’d like a extra tart taste. So long as you don’t overload the batter, it should bake up properly.
The right way to Inform When Quickbread is Executed
Fast breads can look completed on high lengthy earlier than the middle is prepared. The simplest strategy to verify 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 verify once more. The highest must also spring again calmly 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 slightly flatter and end sooner, so begin checking it about ten minutes early.
You can even break up the batter into mini loaf pans. These usually bake in about 25 to half-hour. Simply control them as soon as they begin smelling superb.
Glaze Suggestions
The most effective 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 laborious to prepare dinner in such small quantities. Simply give it a superb, sugary soak.
Serving Options
This bread is nice heat, cool, toasted, or sliced straight from the counter. You possibly can serve it with butter, cream cheese, or nothing in any respect. It additionally seems nice on a brunch desk. And when you have a slice left the following morning, turning it into French toast isn’t a nasty 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 a substitute to maintain it slightly 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 secure 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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