Orange-Cranberry Delight Bread

Orange-Cranberry Delight Bread

This Orange-Cranberry Delight Bread combines the bright citrusy flavor of fresh oranges with the tartness of cranberries, creating a deliciously sweet and tangy loaf that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a holiday treat. The bread is moist, flavorful, and has a lovely balance of sweetness and acidity. It's the perfect way to enjoy the flavors of winter!

Ingredients:

• For the Bread:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup fresh cranberries (you can use frozen if fresh are unavailable)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 1 orange)
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• For the Glaze (optional):

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest until well combined.
Gently fold in the cranberries, making sure they're evenly distributed throughout the dry mixture. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and eggs until light and fluffy.
Add the orange juice, buttermilk, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the bread dense.
The batter will be thick but should spread easily in the pan.
5. Bake the Bread:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Prepare the Glaze (Optional):
While the bread is cooling, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a small bowl until smooth.
Once the bread has cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top for a sweet citrus finish.