Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread is a delightful combination of tart cranberries and bright citrus flavors, perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack. It’s easy to prepare and bakes into a moist, fragrant loaf that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• ¾ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups cranberries
• Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and orange zest until well combined.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the orange juice, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
4. Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Step 5: Gently fold in the cranberries, then pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
6. Step 6: Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a nuttier flavor, add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter along with the cranberries.
• Use fresh or frozen cranberries; if using frozen, no need to thaw before folding them in.
• Try substituting orange juice with cranberry juice for a deeper berry flavor.
• Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.

Storage

Store the cranberry orange bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or toaster oven for a fresh-baked taste.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cranberries instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh cranberries work perfectly in this recipe. They will provide a nice tartness and texture similar to frozen berries.

How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

The bread is done when the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 94 reviews

This Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread is a delightful, moist loaf bursting with fresh cranberry tang and vibrant orange flavor. Perfect for a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack, it combines zesty orange juice and zest with tart cranberries in a tender, buttery bread that’s easy to make and sure to please any palate.

• Author: rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 slices) 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp orange zest

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Add-ins

• 1½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries

Optional

• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, and orange zest until well combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and zest flavor.
3. Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the orange juice, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
4. Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
5. Fold in cranberries: Gently fold in the cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter without breaking them up too much.
6. Pour batter into pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly for consistent baking.
7. Bake the bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, dust the top with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.

Notes

• You can use fresh or frozen cranberries; if using frozen, do not thaw before adding to the batter to prevent bleeding color.
• For a slightly richer flavor, substitute the melted butter with an equal amount of melted coconut oil or vegetable oil.
• Orange zest can be fresh or dried, but fresh zest delivers the brightest flavor.
• Store leftover bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• This bread freezes well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Keywords: cranberry bread, orange bread, holiday bread, quick bread, fruit bread, breakfast bread