Cranberry Orange Bread

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest. Whisk together until well blended.
3. Add Cranberries: Gently fold in the chopped cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dry mixture.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and orange juice until smooth.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread tough.

Step 5: Bake the Bread

6. Pour into Pan: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Glaze

8. Cool: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare Glaze (optional): While the bread is cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

10. Slice and Serve: Once the glaze has set, slice the bread and serve it as a delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea!

Tips for Perfect Cranberry Orange Bread

• Use Fresh Cranberries: If using fresh cranberries, rinse them thoroughly and remove any stems or bruised berries. If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding them to the batter.
• Add Nuts: For added texture, consider folding in chopped walnuts or pecans with the cranberries.
• Store Properly: Keep any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate for up to a week. You can also freeze it for longer storage.

Conclusion

Cranberry orange bread is a delightful and easy-to-make recipe that captures the essence of the holidays while being versatile enough to enjoy year-round. Whether served at breakfast, as a snack, or as a festive dessert, this bread is sure to impress family and friends alike. So gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and indulge in the sweet and tangy goodness of homemade cranberry orange bread!