Description
Cranberry orange loaf delights senses with zesty citrus and tart berries dancing through moist, tender crumb. Warm spices and sweet glaze create a comforting companion perfect for morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) cranberries, fresh or frozen (unthawed)
- 1 1/2 cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (61 g) whole milk
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
Baking Essentials:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment at 350F (175C) and lightly coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, utilize a hand mixer to transform butter and granulated sugar into a silky, uniform mixture.
- Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition.
- Craft a liquid harmony by merging milk, orange juice, and vibrant orange zest in a separate small vessel.
- Compose a dry foundation by whisking flour, baking powder, and kosher salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- Methodically integrate the flour mixture and liquid components into the butter base, alternating in three phases. Employ low-speed mixing, halting precisely when ingredients unite.
- Tenderly introduce cranberries using a spatula, maintaining their delicate structure without crushing.
- Transfer batter into prepared pan, creating a smooth surface. Artfully distribute remaining cranberries across the top.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick reveals minimal moist crumbs. Shield with aluminum foil midway if surface browns excessively.
- Allow loaf to rest in pan for 10 minutes, then transition to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Construct a glossy glaze by whisking confectioners sugar and orange juice until luxuriously smooth. Elegantly drizzle over cooled loaf before serving.
Notes
- Carefully measure ingredients to ensure the perfect balance of flavors and texture in your cranberry orange loaf.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense loaf – mix just until ingredients are combined.
- Quickly fold cranberries to distribute evenly without crushing, maintaining their whole shape and burst of tartness.
- Check doneness with a toothpick test, looking for moist crumbs but no wet batter for a perfectly baked loaf.
- Customize by substituting fresh cranberries with dried cranberries or adding chopped nuts for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg