Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe (No Mixer Required)
Moist Cranberry Bread with Fresh Cranberries Easy cranberry orange bread with orange glaze is moist, tasty, flavorful, and sharp. It has the right amount of tart from the fresh cranberries, the sweetness of the orange juice, and flavors from the zest. Cranberry loaf bread is perfect for dessert, breakfast, or brunch; let us say it…
Moist Cranberry Bread with Fresh Cranberries
Easy cranberry orange bread with orange glaze is moist, tasty, flavorful, and sharp. It has the right amount of tart from the fresh cranberries, the sweetness of the orange juice, and flavors from the zest. Cranberry loaf bread is perfect for dessert, breakfast, or brunch; let us say it is versatile. In other words, this makes for a satisfying holiday breakfast, a kind of dessert for breakfast thing-y! Enjoy a slice of this fancy cranberry orange bread with your morning coffee or tea. Another festive breakfast we love is my cinnamon-date rolls!
If you are looking for a simple holiday dessert, cranberry bread is a great option. It requires less effort and gives the most satisfaction like any other dessert. Also, it is kid-friendly, ask my kids, and they will tell you why.
No Mixer Required:
One of the reasons I love this easy cranberry orange bread is that it requires no mixer. Listen, you do not need a hand mixer or an electric mixer. As long as you have a spatula, spoon, and fork, you are good! In reality, I am a lazy baker and can be easily discouraged. So I always look for the easiest route.
If you are not a baker (or you are a beginner cook), you have nothing to worry about when it comes to this recipe! In the end, it works out well – moist and flavorful cranberry loaf!
Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe:
The main ingredients for making this cranberry orange loaf are obviously fresh cranberries and fresh oranges. Personally, I feel that using fresh ingredients instantly elevates this recipe. On the other hand, you can use dry cranberries if that’s what you have. Unfortunately, nothing beats the juiciness of fresh cranberries in this bread recipe. The bottom line is that if you want moist cranberry orange bread, then use fresh cranberries.
Ok,I heard you could buy already zested orange zest from the grocery store. Not sure if this is true; however, don’t do it! I recommend zesting the orange(s) yourself to get the freshest zest flavors. An old lady once told me that “if you need an orange flavor, use the orange zest.” This saying is true, especially in this cranberry orange bread! Also, you will need both orange zest and orange juice. However, the zest is more important (in my opinion)!
Other Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Pure Cane Sugar (granulated sugar)
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk (room temperature)
- Butter, unsalted and melted
- Fresh eggs, (room temperature)
- Additional all-purpose flour for dusting the pan (about one teaspoon)
- Alongside the above you will need powdered sugar, zest and orange juice to make the orange glaze.
HOW TO MAKE MOIST ORANGE CRANBERRY BREAD:
- Preheat oven to 350
- Wash the fresh cranberries, pat dry. Zest a big orange or two small oranges. Spray or grease a 6-cup 8½ – 4½ bread pan, line with parchment paper. Finally, dust the bread pan with a bit of flour, shake it out, and set it aside.
- Add the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) into a bowl; mix. Stir in the orange zest, mix and add the (pat dried) fresh cranberries. Combine gently, ensure not to smash the cranberries.
- Add the wet ingredients (milk, orange juice, eggs, and melted butter; all room temperature) into a bowl. Use a fork to beat/mix.
- Pour the wet ingredients onto the dry ingredients, use a spatula to mix well.
- Gently pour the mixture into the bread pan, level out with the spatula, and add more fresh cranberries on top.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 45 – 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. (I baked mine precisely for 50 minutes).
- Allow cooling for at least 10 – 15 minutes before removing from the pan, glazing, or slicing.
- Make the orange glaze: add the powdered and fresh zest to a bowl. Then add the orange juice. Use a whisk to combine; Thin out to suit your desire by adding more orange juice.
How to Store Leftover Moist Cranberry Orange Bread.
Without question, if you make this recipe during the holidays, there will hardly be leftovers. However, cranberry loaf leftovers keep well in the fridge for a couple of days. First, allow the slices to cool completely, place in a dry container, and store in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days.
On the other hand, you can keep it in the freezer for three months. I recommend not pilling them together if you desire to freeze them. Instead, store them individually, preferably in a Ziplock bag (works better)! Finally, double this cranberry orange bread recipe, so you have some leftovers.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CRANBERRY ORANGE BREAD:
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Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe (No Mixer Required)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8–10 1x
- Category: Dessert/Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy cranberry orange bread with orange glaze is moist, tasty, flavorful, and sharp. It has the right amount of tart from the fresh cranberries, the sweetness of the orange juice, and flavors from the zest. Cranberry loaf bread is perfect for dessert, breakfast, or brunch! This easy cranberry bread is surely the way to go during the holidays!
Ingredients
- 1½ cups fresh cranberries
- ¼ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- Fresh zest of 1 large orange, or two medium size oranges
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup pure cane sugar (granulated sugar)
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup milk, room temperature
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, (room temperature)
- Additional all-purpose flour for dusting the pan (about one teaspoon)
For the Orange Glaze:
- ¾ powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 teaspoons – 1 tablespoon of orange zest.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350
- Wash the fresh cranberries, pat dry. Zest a big orange or two small oranges. Spray or grease a 6-cup 8½ – 4½ bread pan, line with parchment paper. Finally, dust the bread pan with a bit of flour, shake it out, and set it aside.
- Add the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) into a bowl; mix. Stir in the orange zest, mix and add the (pat dried) fresh cranberries. Combine gently, ensure not to smash the cranberries.
- Add the wet ingredients (milk, orange juice, eggs, and melted butter; all room temperature) into a bowl. Use a fork to beat/mix.
- Pour the wet ingredients onto the dry ingredients, use a spatula to mix well.
- Gently pour the mixture into the bread pan, level out with the spatula, and add more fresh cranberries on top.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 45 – 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. (I baked mine precisely for 50 minutes).
- Allow cooling for at least 10 – 15 minutes before removing from the pan, glazing, or slicing.
- Make the orange glaze: add the powdered and fresh zest to a bowl. Then add the orange juice. Use a whisk to combine; Thin out to suit your desire by adding more orange juice.
- Gently drizzle the orange glaze then, cut/slice the bread. This makes about 8-10 slices depending on the size. WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE HOW I MADE THIS CRANBERRY BREAD.⬇️
Notes
This cranberry bread is super moist, especially from the juicy fresh cranberries; I recommend making it with fresh cranberries.
Make sure to keep your eyes on the bread while in the oven, and do not overbake them.
I highly suggest lining the bread pan with parchment paper; it makes it easier to pull out the bread!
You don’t have to use all the glaze (I didn’t); use to your desire!
MORE HOLIDAY BREAKFAST IDEAS:
- Chocolate Baked Oats. (So good!!!)
- Honey Wholewheat Banana Bread.
- Homemade Cinnamon – Date Rolls (Best sticky buns)!
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Oatmeal Pancakes.
- Gluten-free Banana Oat Waffles.
While you are still here, grab my FREE (5) spinach salad recipe bundle. It would be a great addition to your dinner table (if you like salads) or you are looking to incorporate more veggies. Get the recipes here.
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Finally, let’s connect on social media, am on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Am super NEW on the Tube, please be sure to subscribe. Share this recipe post, and SAVE/PIN THIS IMAGE ON PINTEREST! ⤵️
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Stay well and safe.
Oooooh this sounds so good! Love cranberry and orange together, such a great combo. Can’t wait to try this!
Yes, I agree. They are great together! Thanks for stopping by!
I really like this sweet recipe, I want to bake it tomorrow!
Hope you enjoy, Sonia!😊
This is my new favorite quick bread for the holidays! I’m going to serve it for Christmas brunch – so good and so easy and no fancy equipment needed! A winner!
Glad you are loving this quick bread, Jennifer! Am baking another batch for Christmas as well! 🙌🏾
This Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe is so awesome! I love the fact I didn’t need a mixer!!! Everyone loved the flavor. I will be saving this recipe to make again.
Awww, Thanks for the feedback, Heidy!🙏🏾
Oh yum, this cake looks amazing. Texture, flavors all! I have to bake this asap. I have all the ingredients, so maybe tonight. Thanks!
Hope you enjoy, Natalie!
I made this recipe using mini loaf pans which I spayed with baking spray. It yielded 3 mini loaves. Everyone loved this moist, sweet and tart quick bread. Plan to make it again next year for the holidays. My husband wants me to make this recipe again, but want me to
omit the cranberries and add
chocolate chips. He lives orange and chocolate together. Thank you for sharing this tecipe
Hello, Patty!
Thanks so much for your feedback. I’m glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe and Happy holidays to you all. Please let me know if chocolate chips works for you.
Thanks again!