Although Cranberry Orange Bread always sounded good, my former attempts at making it yielded the same, less than pleasant taste I remember as a child. It was rather bitter and had a hot, burnt taste.
Still every year the idea of cranberries and orange flavors mingling together in a bread filled me with intrigue. Last November I selected Cranberry Orange Muffins at a breakfast buffet while on a business trip I San Diego that sent me in search again for an answer to the Cranberry Orange bread dilemma.
Those who seek, find, and that is certainly true in this case. This recipe is amazing! The cranberry and orange flavors are fabulous together, and the bread is very moist. Imagine not even wanting to put a pat of butter on a piece of bread!
I love that you can make this bread one day, let it sit in the pan overnight, and it’s ready to serve in the morning! Eat it at room temperature or slice it and place it on a pan under the broiler for just a few minutes to warm and gently toast it.
With cranberries in season, you’ll have to try this bread.
Cranberry Orange Bread:
- 2 cups flour (I use half whole wheat, half all-purpose)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped cranberries, fresh or still frozen
- 1 egg, room temperature
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 Tbsp orange zest
Stir the flours, baking soda and salt together. Chop cranberries and add to dry ingredients. Toss to combine and set aside.
In separate bowl, mix together egg, sugars, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and orange zest. Add dry ingredients and stir to combine.
Spray a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan with nonstick spray.
Pour batter into pan. Sprinkle with streusel topping (below), pressing lightly into the batter so it sticks. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Bread is done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack.
Streusel Topping:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 3 Tbsp softened butter
Stir flour, sugar, and cinnamon together. Add softened (or melted) butter and mash together with a fork.
