Made with fresh cranberries, this moist Cranberry Orange Bread Loaf dessert has a deliciously sweet citrus flavor which balances out the slightly tart berries. This sweet cranberry bread recipe is the perfect bread to gift in mini loaf pans.
The holiday season is pretty much right around the corner. I have been eagerly anticipating its arrival because I love this time of year. All the tasty desserts made with apples, pumpkin, and cranberries are my favorite flavors of the year.
Here in Massachusetts, we are blessed to have one of the most notable cranberry bogs locally. That means fresh cranberries are easy to access.
It also means that I look forward to enjoying baked goods made with fresh cranberries. If you have never baked with fresh, whole cranberries I want to share some tips to making the very best Cranberry Orange Loaf.
Ingredients in Cranberry Orange Loaf
- 2 cups of unbleached, all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 large orange (zest & juice)
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup buttermilk * see notes below
- 6 tablespoons of melted, unsalted butter
- 1 cup chopped, whole cranberries
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds or chopped pecans *can be omitted
How to Make Cranberry Orange Loaf
Preheat oven to 375-degrees f.
Line a bread loaf pan with parchment paper. If you are using mini loaf pans, you can either spray them with nonstick or add parchment paper to them. You want about a 2″ overhang to easily remove bread.
In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and soda. Whisk until well-combined.
Add in melted butter, buttermilk, egg, zest, and orange juice.
Using a wooden spoon, mix until combined.
Fold in the nuts and cranberries, and mix.
Pour batter into the parchment-lined loaf pan.
Bake at 375 degrees f. for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Allow cranberry loaf to cool before slicing.
Do You Need to Cook Whole Cranberries Before baking?
No, you do not need to precook your cranberries before baking. Despite the tartness of a whole, plain, cranberry, there is no need to precook them before adding them to this bread batter.
Do You Need to Chop Fresh Cranberries Before Baking?
Yes, you should totally chop your fresh cranberries before baking them in this bread. If you do not they will be way too tart and would not produce a flavorful bread.
Can you Freeze Cranberry Orange Loaf?
You can freeze cranberry orange loaf once it is fully cooled. Wrap in aluminum foil and then place it in an airtight freezer bag. If you can use a food saver that would work even better. As with most baked goods, this will last up to 3 months in a deep freezer.
How to Make Fresh Buttermilk
Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 2/3 cup of whole milk. Allow to sit for for 5-10 minutes.
More Loaf Recipe You Might Like
- Nutella Banana Bread
- Pumpkin Loaf made with Yogurt
- Paleo Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Almond Banana Bread made with Yogurt
Cranberry Orange Loaf Bread Recipe
Equipment
- loaf pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup fresh orange juice & zest (large navel orange)
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
- 6 tbsps melted butter unsalted
- 1 cup whole cranberries chopped
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds can sub in pecans or walnuts *can be omitted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add the flour, Domino® Golden Sugar, salt, baking powder, and soda. Whisk until well-combined.
- Add in melted butter, buttermilk, egg, zest, and orange juice.
- Using a wooden spoon, mix until combined.
- Fold in the nuts and cranberries, and mix.
- Pour batter into the parchment-lined loaf pan.
- Bake at 375° f. for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Allow cranberry loaf to cool before slicing.
Hello, I know many people have success with flax seed and water. However, I have not tested this recipe with that method.
I don’t eat eggs. What can I substitute it with? I’d love to make it. It looks really moist and delicious. Thanks
Hello can I substitute buttermilk for plain Greek yogurt.
Thanks
Hello, thank you, for stopping by!
You should be able to make 5 standard sized mini loaves.
Bake them at 350º for 35-45 -check them at the 35 minutes mark.
How many mini loaves does this recipe make?
Thank you Cicek! We hope you love it!
Looks very delicious. Thanks for sharing.
I don’t think I’ve tried a cranberry orange bread before but that looks quite delicious! I wonder what it tastes like and I can’t wait to try.
oh my yum! this looks so good I live the flavor combination!
Your loaf looks amazing and so easy to make! I can’t wait to try your recipe this coming weekend!
This looks delicious. I am going to fix a loaf of this for Thanksgiving this year. YUM!
Looking at this bread made me so hungry. I have always loved homemade fresh bread. This Cranberry Orange bread looks perfect with my afternoon tea.
I love the texture of this cranberry orange bread! Such a perfect recipe for the cold season!
That bread looks so good! Love the flavor combination!
This bread sounds so yummy. I need to make it for the holidays.
Bread is my weakness and now i can make my own and I am in double trouble. This looks so different and a great way to bring in Thanksgiving morning
This looks so delicious. I have never tried a cranberry orange bread before. This really makes me want to give this recipe a try soon. I’m sure it will be amazing.
Cranberries are so much welcome in my home! I put them everywhere I can, in my recipes and for decoration.
I love the combination of cranberry and orange flavors. They are SO good together. I definitely need to try this.
I love a Fall bread recipe like this! It looks colorful and very flavorful. I can’t wait to make this.
I have to make up a loaf of this. I love the flavors. They’re so classically fall.
Cranberry and orange is SUCH a great combo! This bread sounds SO good.