Description
Cranberry orange bread sings with festive holiday cheer, blending tart berries and zesty citrus in a moist, tender loaf. Drizzled with a sweet glaze, this seasonal treat brings warmth and joy to winter gatherings you’ll savor slice by slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sugar
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) plain whole milk yogurt
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Coating:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) all-purpose flour (for coating cranberries)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and preparing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with grease and flour, ensuring smooth release.
- Create a uniform dry mixture by sifting flour, baking powder, and kosher salt together in a medium bowl, eliminating potential clumping.
- Craft a smooth wet foundation by whisking yogurt, sugar, eggs, orange zest, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil until thoroughly integrated.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender bread texture.
- Dust cranberries with remaining flour to prevent sinking, creating an even distribution throughout the loaf.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly to ensure consistent baking.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges with minimal moist crumbs, indicating perfect doneness.
- Allow initial cooling within the pan for 10 minutes, then transition to a wire rack for complete temperature reduction.
- Construct a quick orange syrup by dissolving sugar in orange juice over medium heat, simmering briefly to intensify flavor.
- Perforate the warm loaf with a toothpick, creating channels for syrup absorption, then generously brush with the citrusy liquid.
- Construct a silky glaze by whisking confectioner’s sugar and fresh orange juice until achieving a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Artfully drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled bread, allowing it to cascade down the sides and set naturally.
- Slice and serve, revealing a moist, flavor-packed cranberry orange bread with a glistening finish.
Notes
- Flour Coating Trick: Tossing cranberries in flour prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the bread during baking, ensuring even distribution.
- Moisture Magic: Using yogurt in the recipe keeps the bread incredibly soft and tender, creating a moist texture that stays fresh longer.
- Zest Boost: Adding fresh orange zest intensifies the citrus flavor, making the bread more aromatic and vibrant.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the bread suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg