Description

This fragrant and easy Christmas bread is a delightful holiday treat, infused with bright orange zest and juice and studded with dried cranberries. It’s perfect for gifting or enjoying with your family during the festive season. Made quickly from pantry staples, it offers a moist and citrusy flavor, with optional nuts for crunch and a sweet citrus glaze for extra indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

¾ cup orange juice (180ml)
2 tbsp orange zest
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 large egg

Add-ins

1 cup dried cranberries (120g)
Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Optional Glaze

½ cup powdered sugar
2 tsp orange juice

Instructions

Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by greasing it well or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the orange juice, orange zest, melted butter, and egg together until fully blended and smooth.
Create batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Add cranberries and nuts: Fold in the dried cranberries and, if using, the chopped walnuts or pecans evenly throughout the batter.
Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove it onto a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
Glaze (optional): Mix the powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth to form a glaze. Drizzle this over the cooled bread for an extra touch of sweetness and citrus flavor.

Notes

You can substitute dried cranberries with other dried fruits like raisins or chopped dried apricots if preferred.
The nuts are optional but add a nice crunch and richness to the bread.
Do not overmix the batter to maintain a light and tender texture in the bread.
Ensure the bread is fully cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and sliding off.
This bread keeps well for 2-3 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature and also freezes well.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas bread, holiday bread, cranberry orange bread, festive bread, easy holiday baking, citrus bread, dried cranberry bread