Brighten up your baking routine with this Cranberry Poppy Seed Orange Loaf, a delightful combination of tart cranberries, vibrant orange zest, and crunchy poppy seeds. Perfectly moist and infused with fresh orange juice, this loaf is a citrus lover's dream, while the bursts of tangy cranberries make every bite irresistibly flavorful. A buttery, tender crumb and optional sweet orange glaze take this bake to new heights, making it just as beautiful as it is delicious. Easy to make in under an hour, this fragrant loaf is ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. Serve it warm with a cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy the vibrant flavors of this citrus-cranberry masterpiece!
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds.
In a medium bowl, combine the fresh orange juice, orange zest, melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully blended.
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
Gently fold in the chopped fresh cranberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the optional glaze, whisk powdered sugar and fresh orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf.
Slice the loaf and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Calories |
2981 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 118.1 g | 151% | |
| Saturated Fat | 65.7 g | 328% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 636 mg | 212% | |
| Sodium | 2262 mg | 98% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 448.1 g | 163% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.7 g | 63% | |
| Total Sugars | 236.6 g | ||
| Protein | 45.2 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.7 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 486 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 15.6 mg | 87% | |
| Potassium | 1100 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.