Cranberry and Orange Scented Holiday Bread
A fragrant, moist quick bread studded with fresh cranberries and infused with bright orange zest, perfect for festive mornings or gift-giving. This American-inspired Christmas recipe, ready in about 80 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 10, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp fresh orange zest
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- for dusting, optional powdered sugar
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then add 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 tbsp fresh orange zest, and 1/4 cup fresh orange juice. Mix until combined.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Step 6: Fold in 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries gently to distribute evenly.
- Step 7: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 8: Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cranberry and Orange Scented Holiday Bread take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cranberry and Orange Scented Holiday Bread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cranberry and Orange Scented Holiday Bread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cranberry and Orange Scented Holiday Bread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cranberry and Orange Scented Holiday Bread?
American christmas like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
