Description
This Easy Cranberry Orange Quick Bread is a moist, flavorful loaf infused with fresh orange zest and juicy cranberries. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, this quick bread combines a tender crumb with a subtle citrus tang and the tartness of cranberries, all baked to golden perfection in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- â…“ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, roughly chopped
- ½ cup chopped nuts (optional: walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, eggs, fresh orange juice, and the zest of one orange until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Mix Wet and Dry: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread light and tender.
- Add Mix-ins: Fold in the chopped cranberries and nuts (if using) evenly into the batter, distributing them throughout without crushing the berries.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries; if using frozen, do not thaw before adding to the batter to avoid bleeding colors.
- Optional nuts add a nice crunch, but feel free to omit or substitute with your favorite nuts or seeds.
- Do not overmix the batter to prevent the bread from becoming dense and tough.
- Fresh orange zest is key for bright citrus flavor, so avoid pre-packaged dried zest if possible.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
