Cranberry Bread with Orange Zest

Bright, zesty, and bursting with flavor, this Cranberry Bread with Orange Zest is the ultimate holiday-inspired treat! The perfect balance of tart, juicy cranberries and fragrant orange zest makes every bite a delightful mix of sweet and tangy. This easy-to-make quick bread features a buttery, tender crumb and optional crunchy pecans or walnuts for added texture. It’s made with fresh orange juice for a natural citrusy lift and comes together in just 15 minutes of prep time. Whether served as a festive breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a crowd-pleasing dessert, this loaf pairs beautifully with a slather of butter or cream cheese. Impress your guests this season with this irresistibly moist cranberry orange bread that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 tablespoon Orange zest (from 1 large orange)
• 0.75 cup Fresh orange juice
• 0.25 cup Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 Eggs, large
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 cup Fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 0.5 cup Pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Step 3

Stir in the orange zest, making sure it is evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 5

Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a denser loaf.

Step 6

Fold in the chopped cranberries and nuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Step 10

Serve slices of cranberry bread as is, or pair with a spread of butter or cream cheese for extra indulgence.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1061.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2799.8

Total Fat 101.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 501.2mg	0%
Sodium 2005.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 442.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.3g	0%
Total Sugars 228.1g
Protein 45.8g	0%

Vitamin D 80IU	0%
Calcium 183.5mg	0%
Iron 15.2mg	0%
Potassium 1162.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.8%

Protein: 6.4%

Carbs: 61.8%