Cranberry Orange Bread is nice for breakfast, snacking, or wrapping up a loaf to share. This model leans into all the pieces 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 strong 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.
- Non-obligatory glaze soaks into the loaf for further moisture and a candy end.


The glaze will get poured over the loaf whereas the bread remains to be heat and it soaks proper in. It provides further moisture and a lightweight sweetness that ties all the pieces collectively. That is the form of fast bread that someway disappears quicker than anybody admits to consuming it. It really works for brunch, snacking, gifting, or stealing a slice if you’re alleged to be cleansing the kitchen.
Ingredient Notes
- Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Be sure that 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 mushy. Use whichever you favor.
- 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.
- Massive Egg: A room-temperature egg mixes extra easily, however straight from the fridge is completely nice too.
- Vanilla Extract: Attempt to use the actual factor.
- Orange Extract: This boosts the citrus taste. Should you don’t have any, add another teaspoon of zest.
- Salt: Common desk salt works completely.
- Baking Soda: Test that it’s recent to make sure an excellent rise.
- Baking Powder: Be sure that it’s not expired or the loaf might bake dense.
- All-Function Flour: Scoop and sweep technique of measuring is most popular.
- Craisins: You’ll be able to change with 1 cup recent or frozen cranberries, chopped. Contemporary or frozen gives 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 recent ones on this bread. Craisins offer you a sweeter, chewier chunk with no further prep. Contemporary or frozen cranberries make the bread extra tart, so anticipate a brighter taste.
If utilizing recent or frozen, give them a fast chop in order 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.
Non-obligatory 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 recent or frozen cranberries in order for you a extra tart taste. So long as you don’t overload the batter, it is going to bake up properly.
Find out how to Inform When Quickbread is Accomplished
Fast breads can look completed on prime lengthy earlier than the middle is prepared. The simplest approach 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 might be 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 flippantly when pressed.


Loaf Pan Measurement 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 just a little 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 keep watch over them as soon as they begin smelling wonderful.
Glaze Suggestions
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 arduous to cook dinner in such small quantities. Simply give it an excellent, sugary soak.
Serving Strategies
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 seems to be nice on a brunch desk. And you probably 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 just a little longer. The glaze helps hold the loaf moist, so it holds up effectively.
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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