Merry Cranberry Bread
Celebrate the holiday season with Merry Cranberry Bread, a festive blend of zesty orange and tart cranberries that’s as delicious as it is vibrant. This easy-to-make quick bread combines fresh or frozen cranberries, a hint of fragrant orange zest, and a moist, buttery base for a taste that’s perfectly sweet-tart. The optional addition of chopped walnuts or pecans adds a delightful crunch, making every slice irresistibly flavorful. With just 15 minutes of prep time and under an hour in the oven, this crowd-pleasing loaf is the ideal homemade gift or snack for holiday gatherings. Serve it warm with a pat of butter, or enjoy it as a make-ahead breakfast treat that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. Perfect for holiday baking, this cheerful loaf will bring a little merry magic to your table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1.5 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 0.75 cup fresh orange juice
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 whole large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
Stir in the orange zest and cranberries, ensuring they are well-coated with the dry ingredients to prevent sinking during baking.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; it’s okay if the batter is slightly lumpy.
If using, fold in the chopped nuts gently to distribute them through the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Slice and serve as a festive treat or wrap in foil to gift to friends and family!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
278 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 9.6 g | 12% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.6 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 31 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 249 mg | 11% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.0 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.6 g | ||
| Protein | 4.4 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 15 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 104 mg | 2% | |
*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.
