Looking for a tasty treat that brightens your day? You’ve found it! This Cranberry Orange Bread with Vanilla Glaze will wow your taste buds. Fresh cranberries and zesty oranges combine to create a moist loaf that’s perfect for any occasion. Plus, the sweet vanilla glaze adds a delightful finish. Join me as I share my step-by-step guide, tips, and delicious variations to make this easy recipe shine in your kitchen!

$To make this tasty cranberry orange bread, gather these key ingredients: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 large orange, zested and juiced (save some juice for the glaze) - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled - 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature - 2 large eggs, at room temperature - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract These ingredients work together to create a moist and flavorful bread. For the sweet vanilla glaze, you will need: - 1 cup powdered sugar - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract This glaze adds a lovely touch of sweetness and shine. When picking fresh cranberries, look for these tips: - Choose firm berries that are bright red. - Avoid any berries that are soft or shriveled. - Fresh cranberries should bounce slightly when dropped. - Check the packaging for any signs of mold. Fresh cranberries make a big difference in flavor and texture. First, set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. You can use butter or cooking spray to coat it well. This step helps the bread come out easily after baking. In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Use 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. A whisk works best to mix these evenly. This ensures the bread rises well. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients. Use 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of buttermilk, 2 large eggs, the juice from 1 orange, and the zest from that orange. Add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract too. Whisk until it looks smooth and blended. This mix adds flavor and moisture to your bread. Now, gently fold in your cranberries. Use 1 cup of fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped. A spatula helps to keep them intact. Fold until they are evenly spread throughout the batter. This step adds a tart burst of flavor to each slice. Next, pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Use the spatula to smooth the top. Bake it in the oven for 55 to 65 minutes. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, your bread is ready. While the bread cools, make the vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with reserved orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk until it’s smooth and easy to pour. If it’s too thick, add a bit more juice. This glaze will make your bread shine! To keep your bread light, don't overmix the batter. Mix until just combined. Overmixing can create gluten, making the bread chewy and dense. Use gentle folding when adding cranberries. This keeps them whole and prevents crushing. Start by mixing dry ingredients first. This helps the baking powder and soda spread evenly. When adding wet ingredients, use a whisk. This ensures a smooth batter. Don’t rush; take your time to blend. Also, make sure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps the batter mix well and rise properly. Once baked, let your bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it firm up. After that, move it to a wire rack. This allows air to flow around and cool the bread evenly. When it’s cool, drizzle the glaze on top. Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before slicing. This makes for a beautiful presentation. {{image_4}} You can enhance your Cranberry Orange Bliss Bread by adding nuts or other fruits. Walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. Simply fold in about half a cup of chopped nuts when you mix in the cranberries. You might also try dried fruits like raisins or apricots for extra sweetness. These additions create a unique twist while keeping the bread moist and flavorful. If you need a gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free flour blend. Look for a blend that includes xanthan gum to help with texture. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix. The bread will still taste great, but be sure to watch the baking time. Gluten-free breads can bake quicker, so check for doneness earlier. If you prefer a less sweet bread, you can cut down the sugar. Reducing the granulated sugar to three-quarters of a cup works well. You can also use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit. Keep in mind that this might change the texture slightly, but the flavor will still shine through. Always taste your batter before baking to find your perfect balance. To keep your cranberry orange bread fresh, wrap it well. Use plastic wrap or foil. This keeps the bread moist and tasty. Store it at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. To freeze your bread, start by letting it cool completely. After cooling, slice the bread into pieces. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped slices in a freezer bag. Try to remove as much air as possible. This helps prevent freezer burn. You can freeze the bread for up to three months. To reheat, take out a slice of bread. You can use a microwave or an oven. For the microwave, heat it for about 15-20 seconds. Check to see if it's warm enough. If you want a crispy edge, use the oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 10 minutes. Enjoy the warm, sweet aroma! Yes, you can use frozen cranberries in this recipe. Just make sure to chop them coarsely. Do not thaw them before adding to the batter. This helps keep the bread moist and flavorful. You will know the bread is done when a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Bake it for 55 to 65 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Keep an eye on it towards the end of baking. If you don't have buttermilk, mix regular milk with vinegar or lemon juice. Use 1 cup of milk and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for five minutes before using. The vanilla glaze can last up to one week when stored in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge. Before using, stir it well, and add a bit of juice if it thickened. You now have a solid recipe for cranberry orange bread. We covered ingredients, tips, and variations that fit your taste. You learned how to avoid dense bread and store leftovers. Remember, using fresh cranberries makes a big difference. Don’t forget about the delicious vanilla glaze! This bread is perfect for any occasion. Try it, adjust it, and make it your own. Enjoy baking and sharing this treat with friends and family.$

Ingredients

Main Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Bread

To make this tasty cranberry orange bread, gather these key ingredients:

– 2 cups all-purpose flour

– 1 cup fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped

– 1 cup granulated sugar

– 1 large orange, zested and juiced (save some juice for the glaze)

– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

– 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

– 2 large eggs, at room temperature

– 2 teaspoons baking powder

– 1 teaspoon baking soda

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

These ingredients work together to create a moist and flavorful bread.

Ingredients for Vanilla Glaze

For the sweet vanilla glaze, you will need:

– 1 cup powdered sugar

– 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

– 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

This glaze adds a lovely touch of sweetness and shine.

Tips for Selecting Fresh Cranberries

When picking fresh cranberries, look for these tips:

– Choose firm berries that are bright red.

– Avoid any berries that are soft or shriveled.

– Fresh cranberries should bounce slightly when dropped.

– Check the packaging for any signs of mold.

Fresh cranberries make a big difference in flavor and texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Oven and Loaf Pan

First, set your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. You can use butter or cooking spray to coat it well. This step helps the bread come out easily after baking.

Mixing Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Use 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. A whisk works best to mix these evenly. This ensures the bread rises well.

Combining Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients. Use 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of buttermilk, 2 large eggs, the juice from 1 orange, and the zest from that orange. Add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract too. Whisk until it looks smooth and blended. This mix adds flavor and moisture to your bread.

Folding in Cranberries

Now, gently fold in your cranberries. Use 1 cup of fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped. A spatula helps to keep them intact. Fold until they are evenly spread throughout the batter. This step adds a tart burst of flavor to each slice.

Baking the Bread

Next, pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Use the spatula to smooth the top. Bake it in the oven for 55 to 65 minutes. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, your bread is ready.

Preparing the Vanilla Glaze

While the bread cools, make the vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with reserved orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk until it’s smooth and easy to pour. If it’s too thick, add a bit more juice. This glaze will make your bread shine!

Tips & Tricks

How to Avoid Dense Bread

To keep your bread light, don’t overmix the batter. Mix until just combined. Overmixing can create gluten, making the bread chewy and dense. Use gentle folding when adding cranberries. This keeps them whole and prevents crushing.

Best Practices for Mixing Batter

Start by mixing dry ingredients first. This helps the baking powder and soda spread evenly. When adding wet ingredients, use a whisk. This ensures a smooth batter. Don’t rush; take your time to blend. Also, make sure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps the batter mix well and rise properly.

Cooling and Glazing Tips

Once baked, let your bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it firm up. After that, move it to a wire rack. This allows air to flow around and cool the bread evenly. When it’s cool, drizzle the glaze on top. Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before slicing. This makes for a beautiful presentation.

Variations

Adding Nuts or Other Fruits

You can enhance your Cranberry Orange Bliss Bread by adding nuts or other fruits. Walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. Simply fold in about half a cup of chopped nuts when you mix in the cranberries. You might also try dried fruits like raisins or apricots for extra sweetness. These additions create a unique twist while keeping the bread moist and flavorful.

Gluten-Free Alternatives

If you need a gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free flour blend. Look for a blend that includes xanthan gum to help with texture. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix. The bread will still taste great, but be sure to watch the baking time. Gluten-free breads can bake quicker, so check for doneness earlier.

Adjusting Sweetness Levels

If you prefer a less sweet bread, you can cut down the sugar. Reducing the granulated sugar to three-quarters of a cup works well. You can also use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit. Keep in mind that this might change the texture slightly, but the flavor will still shine through. Always taste your batter before baking to find your perfect balance.

Storage Info

How to Store Leftover Bread

To keep your cranberry orange bread fresh, wrap it well. Use plastic wrap or foil. This keeps the bread moist and tasty. Store it at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it.

Freezing Instructions

To freeze your bread, start by letting it cool completely. After cooling, slice the bread into pieces. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped slices in a freezer bag. Try to remove as much air as possible. This helps prevent freezer burn. You can freeze the bread for up to three months.

Best Ways to Reheat

To reheat, take out a slice of bread. You can use a microwave or an oven. For the microwave, heat it for about 15-20 seconds. Check to see if it’s warm enough. If you want a crispy edge, use the oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 10 minutes. Enjoy the warm, sweet aroma!

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes, you can use frozen cranberries in this recipe. Just make sure to chop them coarsely. Do not thaw them before adding to the batter. This helps keep the bread moist and flavorful.

How do I know when the bread is done baking?

You will know the bread is done when a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Bake it for 55 to 65 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Keep an eye on it towards the end of baking.

What can I substitute for buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, mix regular milk with vinegar or lemon juice. Use 1 cup of milk and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for five minutes before using.

How long does the vanilla glaze last?

The vanilla glaze can last up to one week when stored in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge. Before using, stir it well, and add a bit of juice if it thickened.

You now have a solid recipe for cranberry orange bread. We covered ingredients, tips, and variations that fit your taste. You learned how to avoid dense bread and store leftovers. Remember, using fresh cranberries makes a big difference. Don’t forget about the delicious vanilla glaze! This bread is perfect for any occasion. Try it, adjust it, and make it your own. Enjoy baking and sharing this treat with friends and family.

Cranberry Orange Bread with Vanilla Glaze

Indulge in the delightful flavors of Cranberry Orange Bliss Bread! This easy recipe combines fresh cranberries, zesty orange, and a sweet vanilla glaze for the perfect treat. Whether you're enjoying a cozy morning or hosting friends, this bread is a must-try. Click through to discover the full recipe and bring a burst of brightness to your table! #CranberryOrangeBread #BakingFromScratch #EasyRecipes #HomemadeDelights

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large orange, zested and juiced (reserve a bit of juice for the glaze)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Vanilla Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, then set it aside.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Use a whisk to ensure an even distribution of the dry ingredients.

In a separate mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.

Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, using a spatula or wooden spoon to stir gently. Mix until just combined; be cautious not to overmix as this can lead to dense bread.

Carefully fold in the chopped cranberries with a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed without crushing them.

Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan, using the spatula to smooth the top evenly.

Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes. The bread is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.

After baking, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, gently transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

While the bread cools, prepare the vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, reserved orange juice, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and has a pouring consistency. Add a little more juice if necessary for desired thickness.

Once the bread has cooled completely, drizzle the vanilla glaze over the top in a decorative pattern. Allow the glaze to set for about 10 minutes before slicing.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes | Servings: 10

- Serving Suggestions: Serve warm slices of Cranberry Orange Bliss Bread alongside a steaming cup of tea or coffee. For an extra citrusy touch, garnish each slice with fresh orange slices and a sprig of mint.