Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread
A festive quick bread made with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and crunchy walnuts. Bright, moist, and fragrant—perfect for holiday mornings or afternoon tea.
8 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups 263 g all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup 180 ml orange juice
- ¾ cup 151 g granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp 58 g unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest
- 1 cup 120 g chopped fresh cranberries
- ¾ cup 93 g coarsely chopped walnuts
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8½ x 4½-inch or 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Combine the Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, sugar, melted butter, egg, and orange zest until smooth and fully incorporated.
Combine the Mixtures
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, fold the mixture gently until just combined—do not overmix, as this can affect the bread’s texture.
Add Cranberries and Walnuts
- Gently fold in the chopped cranberries and walnuts, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
Bake the Bread
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Cool and Serve
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for approximately 10 minutes. Then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Serve plain or lightly buttered.
Notes
To prepare a gluten-free version of this Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread, substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend containing xanthan gum. Ensure the baking powder, baking soda, and walnuts are certified gluten-free. The texture will remain moist and slightly denser, but the flavor will be equally delightful.