The combination of cranberries and oranges adds a delicious explosion of flavour and is completely amazing, especially when combined to make a soft, moist bread. This beautiful marriage is demonstrated by our Cranberry Orange Bread recipe, which yields a colourful, zesty loaf that is equally pleasant to the appearance and the palate. This bread fills the air with its zesty scent and is ideal for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack, or a sweet way to close the day. Every mouthful is guaranteed to be an experience you won’t soon forget. Together, let’s take on this baking adventure and produce a masterpiece that will undoubtedly end up as a treasured addition to your repertoire of recipes.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes prep, 55 minutes baking, 15 minutes cooling – total of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Servings: Yields one 9×5 inch loaf, serving 8-10 slices.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups + 1 extra tablespoon all-purpose flour (for dusting)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup whole-milk yogurt (unflavored)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
- A dash of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups cranberries (fresh or thawed from frozen)
Orange Elixir:
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
Citrus Glaze:
- 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Directions & How to Prepare
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan, shaking out any excess flour.
- Dry Mix: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Yogurt Fusion: In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the yogurt, sugar, eggs, orange zest, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Berry Blend: Toss the cranberries with the extra tablespoon of flour in a separate bowl, then gently fold them into the batter, ensuring even distribution without crushing the berries.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Orange Syrup: Combine the orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 3 minutes after the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Syrup Soak: Once the bread is slightly cooled, use a toothpick to poke holes throughout. Generously brush the orange syrup over the top and sides, allowing it to soak in. Apply a second coat for extra moisture and flavor.
- Glaze: Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and orange juice to create a thick glaze. Drizzle over the cooled loaf, letting it cascade down the sides. Wait 15 minutes for the glaze to set before slicing.