Cranberry Orange Bread with Simple Glaze
Ingredients:
**For the Bread:**
– 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
– 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
– 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– Zest of 1 large orange
– 3/4 cup (180 ml) fresh orange juice
– 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil (or melted butter)
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 1/2 cups (150 g) fresh or frozen cranberries, halved
**For the Simple Glaze:**
– 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
– 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
– Zest of 1/2 orange (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions:
1. **Preheat and Prepare Pan:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Grease a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients:**
– In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest.
3. **Combine Wet Ingredients:**
– In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange juice, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. **Combine and Add Cranberries:**
– Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
– Fold in the cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. **Bake the Bread:**
– Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
– Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
6. **Cool the Bread:**
– Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
7. **Prepare the Simple Glaze:**
– In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of orange juice. Add more juice if needed to reach your desired glaze consistency.
– Stir in orange zest if using.
8. **Glaze the Bread:**
– Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread, allowing it to run down the sides. Let the glaze set before slicing.
Tips:
– **Fresh vs. Frozen Cranberries:** If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding to the batter.
– **Storage:** Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Enjoy!
This **Cranberry Orange Bread with Simple Glaze** is moist, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. The combination of tart cranberries and sweet orange glaze makes each bite a refreshing and delightful treat!