Ina Garten’s Tangy Cranberry Orange Loaf Recipe: A Zesty Breakfast Joy

Warm, citrusy aromas fill the kitchen when baking this delightful Barefoot Contessa cranberry orange bread that speaks straight to your comfort-loving soul.

Zesty orange notes dance alongside tart cranberries, creating a perfect balance of flavors in every slice.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly to produce a moist, tender loaf that beckons you closer with its irresistible scent.

The recipe captures the essence of home-style baking with simple, wholesome ingredients that anyone can master.

Soft crumbs studded with bright cranberries make this bread a standout breakfast or afternoon treat.

Weekend mornings become extra special when this golden-brown loaf emerges from the oven, promising pure deliciousness.

Get ready to savor each delectable bite of this crowd-pleasing quick bread that transforms ordinary moments into something extraordinary.

Bake Barefoot Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread Like This

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the bread, providing structure and soft texture with a delicate crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown exterior with tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the bread.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the bread rises evenly and creates a light, airy texture.

• Buttermilk, Eggs: Create moisture and richness, ensuring a tender and soft bread with excellent texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the bread incredibly moist and helps maintain freshness for days.
• Orange Juice, Orange Zest: Infuse bright, citrusy flavor and aromatic notes throughout the bread.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to complement the citrus and cranberry flavors.

• Fresh Cranberries: Provide bursts of tart flavor and beautiful color contrast in each slice.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze that adds a professional finishing touch.
• Orange Zest: Intensifies the citrus flavor in both the bread and glaze for a vibrant taste.

Kitchen Items for Moist Cranberry Orange Bread

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and creating the bread base.
• Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking wet ingredients smoothly.
• Loaf Pans (9×5 inch): Two pans needed for baking the cranberry orange bread.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending wet ingredients and creating a consistent mixture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Zester or Grater: Helps create fine orange zest for flavor.
• Toothpick: Useful for checking bread doneness.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows bread to cool evenly after baking.
• Cooking Spray: Helps prevent bread from sticking to the pans.
• Aluminum Foil: Optional for covering bread if it browns too quickly.

How to Mix and Bake Ina’s Cranberry Orange Loaf

• Citrus Cranberry Preparation

Get ready to craft a delightful bread bursting with tangy orange and sweet cranberry flavors. Gather all your ingredients and preheat the oven to create a warm baking environment.

• Zesty Sugar Mixture

Combine sugar with fragrant orange zest, creating a wonderfully aromatic base that will infuse the entire loaf with bright citrus notes.

• Wet Ingredient Blend

Whisk together creamy buttermilk, smooth oil, fresh eggs, vibrant orange juice, and rich vanilla into a silky liquid mixture that will bring moisture to your bread.

• Batter Creation

Gently mix wet and dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Tenderly fold in ruby-red cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.

• Baking Process

Pour the batter into prepared pans and slide into the warm oven. Bake until golden and a testing stick comes out clean, which typically takes about an hour.

• Cooling and Glazing

Allow the bread to rest briefly in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack. Once completely cooled, drizzle with a sparkling orange glaze that adds a final touch of sweetness and shine.

Flavor Variations You Can Try for This Quick Bread

• Soak dried cranberries in warm orange juice for 15 minutes before adding to the batter for intensified fruity notes.
• Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, preserving its fresh taste and texture.
• Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for extra crunch and nutty depth, creating a delightful texture contrast.
• Experiment with different citrus zests like lemon or lime in the glaze to transform the bread's flavor profile and add a surprising twist.
• Keep the bread at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum moisture and freshness.

Ways to Slice and Serve Cranberry Orange Bread

• Drizzle with Decadent Glaze: Pour the vibrant orange glaze over the cooled bread, letting it cascade down the sides for a stunning presentation that adds a burst of citrusy sweetness.
• Pair with Morning Delights: Serve alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea, creating a perfect breakfast or brunch companion that brightens up your morning routine.
• Create Delightful Gift Packages: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper and tie with a rustic ribbon, making an impressive homemade gift for friends, neighbors, or holiday gatherings.
• Elevate with Toppings: Sprinkle some fresh orange zest or crushed candied cranberries on top of the glaze for an extra layer of texture and visual appeal that will wow your guests.

Best Methods to Store and Keep It Fresh

• Maximize Freshness: Store bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for 3-4 days to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap cooled bread completely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze up to 2 months for quick future enjoyment.
• Slice Before Freezing: Cut bread into individual slices before freezing, allowing easy thawing of single servings without defrosting entire loaf.
• Revive Stored Bread: Warm slightly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or toast brief moments to restore original soft texture and enhance taste when bread feels slightly dry.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 306 kcal

Servings: 16

Festive Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s cranberry orange bread delivers a perfect balance of citrusy zest and tart cranberry notes. Home bakers can quickly create this delightful quick bread with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) buttermilk
• 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable or canola oil
• 3 cups (384 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups fresh cranberries, halved
• 2 tbsps fresh orange juice
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsps orange zest
• Orange zest from 2 large oranges

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Instructions

1. Citrus Infusion: Combine granulated sugar with orange zest in a large mixing bowl, creating a fragrant foundation for the quick bread.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift together flour, salt, and leavening powder, then incorporate into the sugar-zest mixture until evenly distributed.
3. Liquid Harmony: Whisk buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, orange juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-blended.
4. Batter Creation: Gently merge wet and dry ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing, then tenderly fold in halved cranberries.
5. Pan Preparation: Grease two 9×5 inch loaf pans and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring even cooking environment.
6. Baking Process: Transfer batter to prepared pans, smoothing the surface, and bake for 60-75 minutes, tenting with foil if browning occurs too quickly.
7. Doneness Check: Validate bread’s readiness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should emerge clean and free of raw batter.
8. Cooling and Glazing: Rest loaves in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling before drizzling with orange glaze made from powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest.
9. Serving: Slice and present the aromatic cranberry orange bread, showcasing its vibrant citrus and tart cranberry notes.

Notes

• Zest with Care: Gently scrape only the bright orange surface of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for pure citrus flavor.
• Handle Batter Gently: Mix wet and dry ingredients minimally to prevent tough, dense bread; stop stirring when ingredients are just combined.
• Cranberry Distribution: Cut cranberries in half and toss lightly in flour before folding into batter to prevent sinking and ensure even spread.
• Foil Protection Technique: Cover bread with aluminum foil if browning too quickly, allowing even baking without burning the exterior.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 306
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg