Description
This Cranberry Walnut Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread featuring fresh cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and a hint of orange zest for a delightful citrus aroma. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack, it’s easy to prepare and bakes up golden and tender in just over an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
Add-ins
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (chopped)
- 1 cup walnuts (chopped)
- Zest of one orange (optional, but highly recommended!)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together the melted butter, eggs, and milk until smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender and light.
- Fold in Add-ins: Carefully fold in the chopped fresh cranberries, walnuts, and orange zest, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Fill the Pan: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh cranberries to add a tart and juicy flavor; frozen can be substituted but may add extra moisture.
- Orange zest is optional but enhances the flavor with a fresh citrus aroma; do not use orange extract as it may overpower the bread.
- Do not overmix the batter, as this can make the bread dense and tough.
- Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
