Description
This Cranberry Orange Loaf is a moist, citrusy quick bread filled with tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and bright orange zest. Perfect for the holidays or any cozy morning, it delivers a balance of sweetness and tang that makes it a favorite for breakfast, dessert, or gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, halved
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- (Optional glaze) 1 cup confectioners’ sugar + 2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in cranberries, pecans, and orange zest; set aside.
- In another bowl, beat together sugar, butter, and egg until smooth and creamy. Mix in orange juice.
- Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for about 1 hour, or until the loaf springs back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- (Optional) For glaze: whisk confectioners’ sugar and orange juice until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled loaf.
Notes
- Use fresh orange zest for the best citrus flavor.
- Frozen cranberries can be used without thawing.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the loaf tender.
- Store wrapped at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate up to a week.
- Loaf can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hr
- Category: Bread, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Cranberry Orange Loaf, cranberry orange bread, citrus loaf, holiday bread, moist cranberry bread, quick bread, orange zest loaf