Cranberry Walnut Bread

Jul 1, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Quick breads Vanilla: Extract Easy

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

This moist quick bread combines tart cranberries and toasted walnuts with warm vanilla and a tender crumb, perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Prep 20 min

Cook 55 min

Total 1 hr 15 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 powder
½ tsp (2.0 g)baking soda
½ tsp (3.0 g)fine sea salt
½ cup (113.0 g)unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150.0 g)light brown sugar, packed
2.0 large (100.0 g)eggs
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)plain yogurt
1.0 cup (100.0 g)fresh or frozen cranberries
½ cup (60.0 g)walnuts, toasted and chopped
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 all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Mix in the yogurt until just combined.
Fold in the dry ingredients until mostly incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Gently fold in the cranberries and toasted walnuts, distributing evenly without breaking the fruit.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips

Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant to enhance their flavor before adding.
For a stronger vanilla aroma, substitute the vanilla extract with 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or scrape 1/2 vanilla bean into the batter.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make cranberry walnut bread?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 55 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 1 9x5-inch loaf (about 10 slices).

How should I store cranberry walnut bread?

Store wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Slice and toast leftovers for best flavor.

Can I make cranberry walnut bread ahead?

Prepare the batter and refrigerate in the loaf pan overnight; bake the next day directly from the fridge, adding a few minutes to the bake time if needed.

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 quick bread combines tart cranberries and toasted walnuts with warm vanilla and a tender crumb, perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 10 servings this recipe makes.

300 Calories / serving

15.1g Fat

36.3g Carbs

5.6g Protein

16.5g Sugar

Whole recipe (10 servings): ~3000 cal · 151g fat · 363g carbs · 56g protein · 165g sugar

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

Per serving · 300 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 57 min·3.3 mi·~6650 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 41 min·2.1 mi·~4100 steps
Moderate cycling 30 min·6.0 mi
Swimming laps 42 min
Jogging 29 min·2.4 mi·~4650 steps
Stair climbing 28 min·~2500 steps
Dancing 49 min
Bodyweight circuit training 30 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 70 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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