Cranberry Orange Bread Loaf Recipe - Sizzling Eats (2024)

Shared by Amy Desrosiers | 22 Comments
Updated on March 31, 2023

Made with fresh cranberries, this moist Cranberry Orange Bread Loaf dessert has a deliciously sweet citrus flavor which balances out the slightly tart berries. This sweet cranberry bread recipe is the perfect bread to gift in mini loaf pans.

The holiday season is pretty much right around the corner. I have been eagerly anticipating its arrival because I love this time of year. All the tasty desserts made with apples, pumpkin, and cranberries are my favorite flavors of the year.

Here in Massachusetts, we are blessed to have one of the most notable cranberry bogs locally. That means fresh cranberries are easy to access.

It also means that I look forward to enjoying baked goods made with fresh cranberries. If you have never baked with fresh, whole cranberries I want to share some tips to making the very best Cranberry Orange Loaf.

Ingredients in Cranberry Orange Loaf

• 2 cups of unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 large orange (zest & juice)
• 1 large egg
• 2/3 cup buttermilk * see notes below
• 6 tablespoons of melted, unsalted butter
• 1 cup chopped, whole cranberries
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds or chopped pecans *can be omitted

How to Make Cranberry Orange Loaf

Preheat oven to 375-degrees f.

Line a bread loaf pan with parchment paper. If you are using mini loaf pans, you can either spray them with nonstick or add parchment paper to them. You want about a 2″ overhang to easily remove bread.

In a large bowl, add the flour,sugar, salt, baking powder, and soda. Whisk until well-combined.

Add in melted butter, buttermilk, egg, zest, and orange juice.

Using a wooden spoon, mix until combined.

Fold in the nuts and cranberries, and mix.

Pour batter into the parchment-lined loaf pan.

Bake at 375 degrees f. for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Allow cranberry loaf to cool before slicing.

Do You Need to Cook Whole Cranberries Before baking?

No, you do not need to precook your cranberries before baking. Despite the tartness of a whole, plain, cranberry, there is no need to precook them before adding them to this bread batter.

Do You Need to Chop Fresh Cranberries Before Baking?

Yes, you should totally chop your fresh cranberries before baking them in this bread. If you do not they will be way too tart and would not produce a flavorful bread.

Can you Freeze Cranberry Orange Loaf?

You can freeze cranberry orange loaf once it is fully cooled. Wrap in aluminum foil and then place it in an airtight freezer bag. If you can use a food saver that would work even better. As with most baked goods, this will last up to 3 months in a deep freezer.

How to Make Fresh Buttermilk

Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 2/3 cup of whole milk. Allow to sit for for 5-10 minutes.

More Loaf Recipe You Might Like

• Nutella Banana Bread
• Pumpkin Loaf made with Yogurt
• Paleo Chocolate Zucchini Bread
• Almond Banana Bread made with Yogurt