Description

This Amazing Cranberry Orange Bread is a delightful and moist quick bread bursting with tart cranberry flavor and bright citrus notes from fresh orange zest and juice. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, and can be made into a traditional loaf or individual muffins. The combination of warm spices, almond extract, and applesauce adds a unique twist, making this bread irresistibly flavorful and tender.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

2 large eggs, slightly beaten
8 oz canned whole cranberries in sauce
1 large orange, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons applesauce
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

Instructions

Preheat the Oven. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or spray a bread loaf pan to ensure the bread does not stick during baking.
Mix Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: all purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir them together until evenly mixed. Set this bowl aside for now.
Combine Wet Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, canned whole cranberries with their sauce, orange zest and juice, applesauce, almond extract, and vegetable or canola oil until well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until all ingredients are incorporated; avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Pour Batter into Pan. Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake the Bread. Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake the bread for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, the bread is ready.
Optional Muffin Method. For muffins, spoon about 2/3 cup of batter into greased muffin tins and bake for 20 to 23 minutes. This method yields individual portions perfect for snacking.

Notes

You can substitute fresh cranberries cooked with sugar if canned are unavailable.
Use applesauce as a healthier alternative to reduce fat while keeping moisture.
Allow bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out to avoid breakage.
Muffins bake faster, so keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
Store bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cranberry bread, orange bread, quick bread, muffins, baked goods, holiday bread, citrus bread