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Best Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe – Easy & Fluffy

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This light and fluffy cranberry orange bread is a holiday staple, featuring a tender crumb, tart cranberries, and bright citrus flavor. It’s quick to make with simple ingredients and perfect for Thanksgiving or any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest (from about 2 large oranges)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (170g) fresh or frozen cranberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for tossing cranberries)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the two long sides. Lightly spray the exposed ends with non-stick spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup melted butter, 2 room-temperature eggs, ½ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup fresh orange juice, 2 tablespoons orange zest, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to fold gently until just combined—a few lumps are fine. Do not overmix.
  5. In a small bowl, toss the cranberries with 1 tablespoon flour. Gently fold the floured cranberries into the batter with 3-4 turns.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If browning too quickly after 40 minutes, tent loosely with foil.
  7. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then lift the bread out using the parchment overhang and transfer to the rack to cool completely (at least 1 hour) before slicing.

Notes

For best results, bring eggs and buttermilk to room temperature. Spoon and level flour to avoid dense bread. Toss cranberries in flour to prevent sinking. Do not overmix the batter. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add an extra tablespoon of buttermilk. For a nutty crunch, fold in ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts. For an orange glaze, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons orange juice and a pinch of zest, then drizzle over cooled loaf.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange bread, quick bread, Thanksgiving bread, fluffy cranberry bread, easy bread recipe

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/best-cranberry-orange-bread-recipe-easy-and-fluffy/