Description

This festive sweet bread combines bright orange zest with tart cranberries for a moist loaf that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. The simple batter can be baked as a classic loaf or quick bread muffins for easy gifting and entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons orange zest

1/4 cup melted butter or vegetable oil

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chopped fresh cranberries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan

2. In a large bowl whisk together flour sugar baking powder baking soda and salt

3. In a separate bowl whisk orange juice melted butter egg vanilla extract and orange zest until smooth

4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined without overmixing

5. Fold in chopped cranberries and nuts if using

6. Transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake for 50–60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean

7. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack

8. To make muffins spoon batter into a lined 12-cup muffin pan and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes

9. For the glaze whisk 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon zest then drizzle over the cooled bread

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: holiday sweet bread
Method: baking
Cuisine: american

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice

Keywords: old pampered chef, cran orange bread, holiday sweet bread, quick bread muffins, easy holiday bread, seasonal baking, orange cranberry bread