Filled with bright cranberry and citrus flavors, this Cranberry Orange Bread is a perfect breakfast, snack, or make-ahead holiday side for this time of year. It freezes beautifully, too!
Cranberry Orange Bread
Every year when it gets close to Thanksgiving, I start to crave Cranberry Orange Bread. This recipe, which is a version of the one my grandmother made each year for the holidays, is bright in flavor from the fresh cranberries, orange zest, and juice, and holds up really well if you make it ahead of time.
In my mind, it’s a perfect breakfast or snack, topped with a thick smear of cream cheese. And it’s been so fun to see my kids develop a love for this bread, too!
One of the main selling points of this quick bread is that you can make it way in advance and freeze the loaf for future use, which is great if you have some time before the super busy holiday season.
You can even make a double batch and save one loaf for a future day.
TIP: It comes together with a simple stir in one bowl after you gather everything and grate the orange zest.
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Ingredients You Need
To make this bread you’ll need some pantry staples plus fresh fruit. Here’s a look at the ingredients:
Ingredient Substitutions
- Honey can be substituted for maple syrup; or ¼ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons milk.
- Dairy-free: Use canola or melted coconut oil in place of the butter.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the simple process involved in making this healthy quick bread. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full information.
- Place the cranberries into the bowl of a food processor and chop. This will help distribute the flavor and moisture evenly throughout the bread.
- Grate the zest of 1 orange with a fine microplane. Add to a medium bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
- Stir gently just to combine.
- Spoon into the prepared pan and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are lightly golden brown. Let cool fully on a wire rack before slicing.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can store this bread in an airtight container, either sliced or whole, in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or, wrap a whole loaf, once cooled, in foil. Place into a zip-top freezer bag and seal, removing as much air as possible.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge. (My grandmother always made this bread ahead of time for the holidays and froze it. We ate it right after it had thawed out, which is partly why I love it super cold!)
Sure, just swap in neutral oil (like canola) for the butter.
In my family, this is a side dish for Thanksgiving and then we eat the leftovers for breakfast on following days. We love it with a smear of cream cheese, though it would also be delicious with a little butter and honey—or just plain! It pairs well with chicken main dishes or turkey, or alongside soup like Butternut Squash Apple or Chili.
How to Store
Once cooled, store this bread in an airtight container, either sliced or whole, in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or, wrap a whole loaf, once cooled, in foil. Place into a zip-top freezer bag and seal, removing as much air as possible.
Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw from frozen, place into the fridge overnight or let thaw at room temperature.
Best Tips for Success
- Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
- You can eat this cold, at room temperature, or warmed up.
- Top with butter, apple butter, honey, or cream cheese.
- Try for breakfast or as a side.
- Try the cranberry muffin version of this bread if you prefer.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment and rate it below!
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Preheat the oven to 350 degree F and grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
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Place the cranberries into the bowl of a food processor and chop. Transfer to a large bowl.
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Grate the zest of 1 orange with a fine microplane into the bowl.
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Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl and stir gently to combine.
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Spoon mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly. Bake for about 50 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are lightly golden brown.
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Let cool for 5-10 minutes in the pan, then carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack.
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Cool completely before slicing. Serve cold or at room temperature with butter or cream cheese if desired.
- Once cooled, store this bread in an airtight container, either sliced or whole, in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or, wrap a whole loaf, once cooled, in foil. Place into a zip-top freezer bag and seal, removing as much air as possible.
Freeze for up to 3 months. - Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
- You can eat this cold, at room temperature or warmed up.
- Top with butter, apple butter, honey, or cream cheese.
- Try for breakfast or as a side.
- Gluten-free: Use 1:1 style gluten free flour blend.
- Dairy-free: Omit the butter and use an equal amount of vegetable or coconut oil.
Serving: 1slice, Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 232mg, Potassium: 131mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 261IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 72mg, Iron: 2mg
This post was first published November 2018.
