Cranberry Orange Bread

Sep 23, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Quick breads Vanilla: Extract Easy

A loaf of cranberry orange bread on a wooden board, two thick slices cut to show the moist crumb

This moist cranberry orange bread combines tart fresh cranberries and vibrant orange zest with the warm aroma of vanilla, creating a perfect sweet breakfast or snack loaf.

Prep 15 min

Cook 60 min

Cooling 5 min

Total 1 hr 20 min

Yield 10 slices

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

2.0 cups (240.0 g)all-purpose flour
1.0 tsp (4.0 g)baking soda
½ tsp (2.0 g)baking powder
½ tsp (3.0 g)salt
½ cup (113.0 g)unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150.0 g)granulated sugar
2.0 large (100.0 g)eggs
⅓ cup (80.0 ml)whole milk
1.0 tbsp (6.0 g)orange zest (about 1 large orange)
½ cup (60.0 g)fresh cranberries
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract

Make it at home

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture in three additions, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
Fold in the fresh cranberries gently to avoid breaking them.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

Tips

Use fresh or frozen cranberries; if frozen, do not thaw before folding into the batter to prevent bleeding.
For intense vanilla flavor, substitute 1 tsp pure vanilla extract with 1 tsp vanilla bean paste.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make cranberry orange bread?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 1 hour of cooking, plus 5 minutes to rest. The recipe makes 1 9x5-inch loaf (about 10 slices).

How should I store cranberry orange bread?

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat slices gently in a toaster or microwave before serving.

Can I make cranberry orange bread ahead?

You can prepare the batter and store it covered in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

This moist cranberry orange bread combines tart fresh cranberries and vibrant orange zest with the warm aroma of vanilla, creating a perfect sweet breakfast or snack loaf.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 10 servings this recipe makes.

250 Calories / serving

10.6g Fat

34.6g Carbs

4.1g Protein

15.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (10 servings): ~2500 cal · 106g fat · 346g carbs · 41g protein · 159g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 250 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 47 min·2.7 mi·~5500 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 34 min·1.7 mi·~3400 steps
Moderate cycling 25 min·5.0 mi
Swimming laps 35 min
Jogging 24 min·2.0 mi·~3850 steps
Stair climbing 23 min·~2050 steps
Dancing 41 min
Bodyweight circuit training 25 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 58 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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