Cranberry Orange Sweet Bread 🍞🍊

This delightful Cranberry Orange Sweet Bread is the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or even as an afternoon snack. Bursting with vibrant flavors, the tartness of the cranberries complements the zesty brightness of the oranges, creating a harmonious balance that everyone will love. Bake it on a chilly morning, and enjoy the wonderful aroma wafting through your home!

Ingredients

For the bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed for the best flavor)
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (if using frozen, do not thaw)

For the glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• Zest of 1/2 orange

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

🍊 Mixing dry ingredients thoroughly ensures an even rise and beautiful crumb structure in your bread.

• In another bowl, mix the melted butter, orange juice, orange zest, and eggs until smooth.

• Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix—it's okay if there are a few lumps!

• Gently fold in the cranberries until evenly distributed.

🥄 If you want, you can sprinkle some flour over the cranberries before folding them in to help prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the bread.

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

• Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

• Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

• While the bread cools, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a small bowl.

• Once the bread has cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top for a sweet finish.

Variations

• Nutty Delight: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a lovely crunch and added flavor.
• Dried Fruit: Substitute some of the cranberries with dried cherries or apricots for a different flavor profile.
• Spice it Up: Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm, spiced aroma.
• Mini Loaves: Bake in mini loaf pans for adorable individual servings—just adjust the baking time to about 30-40 minutes.

Enjoy this delicious Cranberry Orange Sweet Bread with a cup of tea or coffee, and savor the wonderful blend of flavors! ☕🍞