Merry Cranberry Bread

Celebrate the holiday season with Merry Cranberry Bread, a festive blend of zesty orange and tart cranberries that’s as delicious as it is vibrant. This easy-to-make quick bread combines fresh or frozen cranberries, a hint of fragrant orange zest, and a moist, buttery base for a taste that’s perfectly sweet-tart. The optional addition of chopped walnuts or pecans adds a delightful crunch, making every slice irresistibly flavorful. With just 15 minutes of prep time and under an hour in the oven, this crowd-pleasing loaf is the ideal homemade gift or snack for holiday gatherings. Serve it warm with a pat of butter, or enjoy it as a make-ahead breakfast treat that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea. Perfect for holiday baking, this cheerful loaf will bring a little merry magic to your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:55 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1.5 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 0.75 cup fresh orange juice
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 whole large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.

Step 3

Stir in the orange zest and cranberries, ensuring they are well-coated with the dry ingredients to prevent sinking during baking.

Step 4

In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 5

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; it’s okay if the batter is slightly lumpy.

Step 6

If using, fold in the chopped nuts gently to distribute them through the batter.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Step 8

Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Step 10

Slice and serve as a festive treat or wrap in foil to gift to friends and family!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1126.6 grams (1126.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2779

Total Fat 96.30g	123%
Saturated Fat 36.30g	182%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 315mg	105%
Sodium 2568mg	112%
Total Carbohydrate 453.00g	165%
Dietary Fiber 23.40g	84%
Total Sugars 231.90g
Protein 44.50g	89%

Vitamin D 41IU	205%
Calcium 165mg	13%
Iron 15mg	84%
Potassium 1211mg	26%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.3%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 63.4%