Description
Enjoy this Spiced Cranberry Orange Loaf, a moist and flavorful quick bread perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat. It combines tart cranberries with warm spices and zesty orange for a delightful homemade bake.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange zest
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (optional glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice until smooth.
- Gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Carefully fold in the cranberries.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Prepare a glaze by whisking together powdered sugar and orange juice, then drizzle over the cooled loaf.
Notes
- For the best texture, ensure your ingredients like eggs and butter are at room temperature.
- Gently fold the batter to keep the loaf light and tender.
- Check for doneness around the 50-minute mark to prevent overbaking.
- Freshly grated orange zest provides the brightest flavor.
- This spiced cranberry orange bread is delicious on its own or with a dollop of Greek yogurt.
- Consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch in your cranberry orange loaf recipe.
- For a gluten-free option, use a quality gluten-free flour blend.
- Store the cooled loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Slices can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg