Introduction

This Cranberry Orange Bread from Barefoot Contessa is a delightful combination of tart cranberries and bright orange flavors. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, it offers a moist, tender crumb with a refreshing citrus twist.

Barefoot Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp orange zest
¾ cup orange juice
¼ cup melted butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1½ cups cranberries
Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prepare for baking.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and orange zest until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the orange juice, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour this wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Step 4: Gently fold in the cranberries, being careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar if desired, slice, and serve.

Tips & Variations

For a more intense orange flavor, add an extra tablespoon of orange zest or a splash of orange liqueur.
Swap fresh cranberries for dried or frozen if fresh are unavailable, adjusting sugar slightly if needed.
Try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor.

Storage

Store the bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week. To refresh, warm slices lightly in the oven or toaster. You can also freeze the bread wrapped well for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes, dried cranberries can be used, but you may want to reduce the sugar slightly since dried fruit is sweeter than fresh.

How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the bread; it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs attached when the bread is done.

Barefoot Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 148 reviews

This Barefoot Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread recipe offers a delightful combination of tart cranberries and bright orange flavors wrapped in a moist, tender loaf. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, the bread features fresh orange zest and juice paired with whole cranberries, baked to golden perfection and optionally dusted with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 slices) 1x
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp orange zest

Wet Ingredients

¾ cup fresh orange juice
¼ cup melted butter
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Other

1½ cups fresh cranberries
Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Instructions

Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure the bread does not stick during baking.
Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and orange zest until well blended. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and flavor.
Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the fresh orange juice, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and thoroughly combined.
Incorporate wet into dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients bowl and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Fold in cranberries: Gently fold the fresh cranberries into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout without crushing them.
Pour and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the loaf is golden on top.
Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, dust with powdered sugar if desired, slice, and serve.

Notes

Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread soft and tender.
Fresh cranberries provide the best texture and tartness, but frozen can be used—just do not thaw before adding.
You can substitute orange juice with freshly squeezed lemon juice for a different citrus flavor.
Store the bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
The powdered sugar dusting is optional but adds a nice presentation touch and slight sweetness.

Keywords: cranberry orange bread, Barefoot Contessa, quick bread recipe, citrus bread, holiday bread, cranberry loaf