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Perfect Cranberry Orange Thanksgiving Bread – Easy Holiday Favorite

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This cranberry orange bread is tender, moist, and studded with tart berries that burst against a sweet, citrusy crumb. It’s the perfect holiday treat, easy to make with simple ingredients, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for sprinkling
  • Zest of 1 large orange (about 2 tablespoons)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) fresh orange juice
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
  • 1 ½ cups (150g) fresh or frozen cranberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
  • For the orange glaze (optional): ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar, sifted; 1-2 tablespoons fresh orange juice; ½ teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease exposed ends with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup sugar with orange zest. Rub with fingertips until fragrant and slightly damp.
  3. Add softened butter to sugar-zest mixture. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down sides.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  6. Add about one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low until just combined. Pour in half of the buttermilk, mix. Repeat with another third of flour, remaining buttermilk, and final third of flour. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  7. If using frozen cranberries, toss them in 1 tablespoon of flour. Gently fold cranberries into batter with a rubber spatula.
  8. Scrape batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle top with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
  9. Bake in center of oven for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If top browns too quickly after 40 minutes, tent loosely with foil.
  10. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Use parchment sling to lift bread out and transfer to rack to cool completely.
  11. For glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bread. Let set for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Do not overmix the batter. Let the bread cool completely before slicing. The bread tastes even better the next day. To freeze, wrap cooled unglazed loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/perfect-cranberry-orange-thanksgiving-bread-easy-holiday-favorite/