Simple Christmas Cranberry Bread
Introduction
Simple Christmas Cranberry Bread is the holiday treat your table deserves. Bursting with tart cranberries and a hint of citrus, this classic quick bread brings festive color and flavor to your seasonal spread. It’s a breeze to make, filling your home with the warm, comforting aroma of fresh-baked bread. Whether served at brunch, as a snack, or wrapped up for a homemade gift, this loaf is a guaranteed crowd pleaser that adds a pop of holiday cheer.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cranberry Bread
The charm of this cranberry bread lies in its balance of sweet and tart—plump cranberries contrast beautifully with a moist, gently sweet crumb. With an easy, one-bowl method and simple ingredients, it’s perfect for beginner bakers or anyone needing a quick homemade addition to holiday festivities. The bold red berries peeking through each slice make every piece visually stunning and irresistibly festive.
The Secret to Perfect Cranberry Bread
For a moist, tender loaf, use fresh or frozen cranberries and toss them in a tablespoon of flour before folding into the batter. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom and ensures every slice has a burst of berry goodness. Adding a little orange zest elevates the flavor, creating a classic Christmas pairing that’s sure to please.
How to Serve Your Cranberry Bread
Slice thick pieces and serve them warm with a pat of butter, or drizzle with a simple orange glaze for brunch. For a holiday treat board, cut the loaf into smaller cubes and pair with soft cheeses and fresh fruit. This bread also makes a perfect homemade gift—simply wrap a cooled loaf in parchment and a festive ribbon.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields one standard loaf, about 10 servings. Each slice typically contains 180 to 200 calories, depending on your use of sugar and add-ins. It’s a festive treat that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced holiday spread.
Simple Christmas Cranberry Bread (Recap)
Moist, tangy, and festive, this bread is a quintessential holiday classic. It’s simple to bake, a delight to share, and looks beautiful on any table—no wonder it always disappears fast!
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Ingredients
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, orange juice, melted butter, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined (do not overmix).
- Toss cranberries (and nuts, if using) in a tablespoon of flour, then gently fold into the batter.
- Spoon batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Christmas Cranberry Bread is a welcome addition to your weekly meal prep, especially during holiday season. Save and schedule this recipe to plan when to bake and enjoy it throughout the week—plus, generate smart grocery lists that bundle ingredients across all your planned recipes.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across recipes
- Organizes your shopping list by store sections
- Prevents duplicate purchases and last-minute store runs
- Simplifies weekly meal prep and holiday baking
Pro tip: Schedule your recipes for the week to see ingredient overlap—for instance, if you need orange zest for this bread and another dessert, your list will add it all up for you!
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Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
Total Time: 65–75 minutes
Enjoy this cheerful, deliciously simple cranberry bread and make your holiday baking even easier with streamlined meal planning and smart shopping!
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