Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
In short: A bright loaf with fresh cranberries, orange zest and juice, finished with a thin orange glaze. Tart, tender and good for brunch or gifts. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 210 kcal
Cranberries are tart enough to cut through a sweet batter, and orange zest makes the kitchen smell wonderful while the loaf bakes. This quick bread uses fresh or frozen berries straight from the bag, melted butter and fresh orange juice, then gets a thin glaze once it has cooled. It is a favorite for winter breakfasts, holiday brunches and homemade gifts.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 23 x 13 cm (9 x 5 inch) loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Rub the orange zest into the granulated sugar in a large bowl with your fingertips until it looks like damp sand and smells strongly of orange.
- Whisk in the melted butter, egg and orange juice. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined, then fold in the chopped cranberries.
- Spoon the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until deep golden and a skewer in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a rack.
- Whisk the icing sugar with the orange juice until thick but pourable, adding a few drops more if needed. Drizzle it over the loaf and let it set for 10 minutes.
Tips
- No fresh cranberries? Use 100 g (2/3 cup) dried cranberries soaked in hot water for 10 minutes and drained.
- Chop the berries with a knife rather than a food processor, which turns them to pulp and streaks the batter pink.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen cranberries without thawing them?
Yes. Chop them while frozen and fold them in right away. Thawed berries bleed into the batter and turn it pink and soggy.
Can I make cranberry orange bread ahead?
Yes. It tastes better after a night wrapped at room temperature. Keep it for 3 days, or freeze unglazed slices for up to 3 months.
What can I use instead of orange juice?
Use buttermilk or milk in the same amount and keep the zest for flavor. The loaf will be milder and a little less tart.
How long does it take to make Cranberry Orange Quick Bread?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cranberry Orange Quick Bread?
About 210 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 37 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 19 g |
| Sodium | 225 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
