Let’s delve into the wonderful world of baked treats with my incredibly moist and flavorful Orange Cranberry Bread, topped with a zesty orange glaze. This recipe brings together the tangy sweetness of cranberries and the vibrant taste of orange to create a loaf that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying it for breakfast, during tea time, or as a delightful dessert, this bread is sure to impress. Let’s bake up a storm and brighten our tables with this delicious creation!
Italian Nonna’s Orange Cranberry Bread
Ingredients:
For the Bread:
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 teaspoons orange zest
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 2 large eggs
– ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
– ¾ cup buttermilk
– 1 tablespoon orange juice
– 1 cup fresh cranberries, roughly chopped
For the Orange Glaze:
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1.5 tablespoons orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
– 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions:
Making the Bread:
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
First things first, let’s preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure our bread bakes perfectly. Grease a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal later on.
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, I whisk together the granulated sugar and orange zest until the sugar is infused with that beautiful citrus aroma. Then, I add the all-purpose flour and baking powder, whisking until everything is well combined.
Combine the Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, I lightly beat the eggs and then mix in the melted butter, buttermilk, orange juice, and vanilla extract until everything is nicely incorporated.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
I gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just blended. It’s important not to overmix to keep that tender texture we love in our bread.
Fold in the Cranberries:
Next up, I gently fold in the roughly chopped cranberries, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake:
I transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. Then, into the oven it goes for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool:
Once the bread is baked to perfection, I let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures that our bread sets properly and maintains its delicious texture.
Making the Glaze:
Prepare the Glaze:
In a small bowl, I whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until I have a smooth and pourable glaze.
Glaze the Bread:
Now comes the fun part – drizzling the glaze over the cooled bread, letting it cascade down the sides. I let the glaze sit undisturbed until it sets before slicing into the bread.
This Orange Cranberry Bread is a true delight for the senses. Each bite is bursting with the sweet-tart flavor of cranberries and the refreshing citrusy notes of orange, while the luscious glaze adds the perfect finishing touch. Enjoy this irresistible loaf as a special treat that’s bound to bring joy to any occasion.
