Festive Cranberry Orange Bread
This delightful Festive Cranberry Orange Bread has become a cherished holiday favorite in our home. Bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh cranberries and zesty orange, it's a quick bread that not only offers a wonderful aroma while baking, but also fills the kitchen with the spirit of the season. Perfect for breakfast, as a snack, or as a side with your holiday feast, this bread is particularly irresistible when toasted and topped with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or as leftovers, this recipe guarantees smiles all around during the festive season. Suitable for sharing with family and friends, make it your go-to treat for all holiday gatherings.
20
Servings
75
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 cups (sifted)
sugar
3/4 cup
baking powder
2 teaspoons
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1 teaspoon
butter
1/4 cup (softened or shortening)
orange juice
3/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
grated orange rind
1 tablespoon
eggs
2 (well beaten)
coarsely chopped cranberries
1 cup
chopped glace green cherries
1/2 cup (optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (moderate).
2
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together the sifted flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3
Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut in the softened butter until the mixture achieves a coarse, cornmeal-like texture.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the freshly squeezed orange juice and grated orange rind with the well-beaten eggs, mixing until well blended.
5
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture all at once, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
6
Dust the chopped cranberries and glace cherries with a tablespoon of flour to prevent them from sinking, then fold them delicately into the batter.
7
Transfer the batter into a well-buttered 1 1/2-quart casserole dish and sprinkle a few whole floured cranberries on top for added decoration.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the casserole for 10 minutes before carefully removing it from the dish.
10
For best slicing, store the bread overnight.
11
Optionally, top with a confectioner's frosting made from 2 cups icing sugar and boiling water to desired spreading consistency, spreading it over the slightly cooled bread.
12
Enjoy slices with butter or toast under the broiler and sprinkle with cheddar cheese for an extra special treat.
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
12g
Carbs
1g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Festive Cranberry Orange Bread?
It is a delightful holiday-themed quick bread bursting with the flavors of fresh cranberries and zesty orange.
What are the primary flavors in this recipe?
The main flavors are fresh, vibrant cranberries and zesty orange rind and juice.
How long does it take to bake Festive Cranberry Orange Bread?
The bread should bake in a preheated oven for approximately 1 hour.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (moderate).
What ingredients are used in the dry mixture?
The dry mixture consists of sifted all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
How should the butter be prepared and incorporated?
The butter should be softened and then cut into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal.
What kind of orange juice is best for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 3/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice.
How many eggs are required?
You will need 2 well-beaten eggs.
Why should I flour the cranberries and cherries before adding them to the batter?
Dusting the fruit with a tablespoon of flour prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the bread during baking.
Can I use shortening instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of shortening as an alternative to softened butter.
What size baking dish is required?
A well-buttered 1 1/2-quart casserole dish is recommended.
How do I know when the bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
How long should the bread cool after baking?
Allow the bread to cool in the casserole dish for 10 minutes before removing it.
Is it better to slice the bread immediately or wait?
For the best slicing results, it is recommended to store the bread overnight before cutting.
Can I add frosting to this cranberry orange bread?
Yes, an optional confectioner's frosting can be made using 2 cups of icing sugar and boiling water.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
The recipe produces approximately 20 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 75 calories.
What are the fat and carbohydrate contents per serving?
Each serving has 2 grams of fat and 12 grams of carbohydrates.
Are the glace cherries a required ingredient?
No, the 1/2 cup of chopped glace green cherries is optional.
What is the best way to mix the wet and dry ingredients?
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture all at once and stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
What is a unique way to serve this bread?
The bread is irresistible when toasted under the broiler and topped with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese.
What should the texture of the flour and butter mixture be?
It should achieve a coarse, cornmeal-like texture.
Can I use this recipe for holiday gatherings?
Yes, it is specifically described as a cherished holiday favorite and perfect for festive gatherings.
How much grated orange rind is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of grated orange rind.
How much flour is used in the base recipe?
The recipe uses 2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Does this bread contain protein?
Yes, each serving provides 1 gram of protein.
Is this a yeast bread or a quick bread?
This is a quick bread, meaning it uses leavening agents like baking powder and soda instead of yeast.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of sugar.
Can this bread be served for breakfast?
Yes, it is excellent for breakfast, as a snack, or as a side with a holiday feast.
What should I do with the whole cranberries mentioned in the instructions?
You can sprinkle a few whole floured cranberries on top of the batter before baking for added decoration.