Cranberry Orange Bread 

This Cranberry Orange Bread is soft, buttery, and bursting with citrus flavor. Fresh cranberries add tart pops of color, while orange zest gives every bite a refreshing aroma. It’s perfect for breakfast, snacking, gifting, or enjoying warm with a cup of tea.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Mix-Ins

• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (do not thaw frozen ones)
• ¼ cup orange zest (from about 3–4 oranges)

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Mixing spoon or spatula
• 9×5-inch loaf pan
• Cooling rack

Instructions

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.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together for 2–3 minutes, until light, pale, and fluffy. This step gives your bread a soft, tender crumb.

3. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.

4. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together:

• flour
• baking powder
• baking soda
• salt

Whisk until fully combined and no lumps remain.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
Add the orange zest during this stage.
Stir gently until the batter is just combined — avoid overmixing to keep the bread soft.

6. Fold in Cranberries

Using a spatula, fold in the cranberries evenly. If using frozen cranberries, use them straight from the freezer to prevent bleeding.

7. Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

8. Cool

Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for the Best Bread

• For extra moistness, replace ¼ cup butter with ¼ cup oil.
• If using dried cranberries, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes to soften.
• For stronger orange flavor, add 1 teaspoon orange extract.
• Serve with butter, cream cheese, or orange glaze.