Cranberry Bread Recipe
Hello friends, welcome to Breads Recipe. Today we are going to make Cranberry Bread Recipe.
Cranberry bread is a type of sweet bread made with fresh or dried cranberries and is flavored with ingredients such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest. It is a festive and delicious baked good that is perfect for the holiday or any time of the year.
Cranberry bread is made with a batter similar to banana bread or pumpkin bread and is typically baked in a loaf pan.
The juicy, tart cranberries are folded into the batter and provide flavor and color in every bite. Some recipes include nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, for added crunch and texture.
Cranberry bread can be enjoyed on its own, toasted with butter, or topped with cream cheese or other spreads. It also makes a great gift for friends and family during the holiday season.
Here’s a classic recipe for cranberry bread
Ingredients for making Cranberry Bread Recipe
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions for making Cranberry Bread Recipe
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, beat sugar, eggs, and melted butter until well combined. Add orange juice and zest, and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until combined.
- Fold in the cranberries and chopped walnuts, if using.
- Pour the batter into the well-prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- After that, allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your homemade cranberry bread! This bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
Why did my cranberry bread turn green?
Cranberry bread turning green is a rare but unheard-of occurrence and is most likely caused by a reaction between the baking soda and the cranberries.
Cranberries contain natural pigments called anthocyanins, which are pH-sensitive and can change color based on the acidity of the batter.
If the batter is too alkaline, it can cause the anthocyanins in the cranberries to turn green. This can be due to using too much baking soda, baking soda that is too old, or cranberries that are overripe or starting to spoil.
To avoid this, it’s best to use fresh cranberries and accurately measure the baking soda.
Additionally, reducing the amount of baking soda in the recipe is recommended, or using a smaller amount of cranberries to prevent the batter from becoming too alkaline.
Remember that although the green may look unappetizing, it is not harmful, and the bread is still safe to eat. The green color does not affect the flavor of the bread, but it can make it look less appealing.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried ones?
You can use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries in cranberry bread. Fresh cranberries are plump, juicy, and tart, and they can add a delicious burst of flavor and color to the bread.
When using fresh cranberries, it’s important to wash and pat them dry before adding them to the batter.
Fresh cranberries also tend to be tarter than dried cranberries, so you may need to adjust the sugar in the recipe to taste.
If you are using fresh cranberries, you may also need to increase the amount of liquid in the batter slightly to compensate for the extra moisture in the fresh cranberries.
Fresh cranberries can be a great substitute for dried cranberries in cranberry bread, and they can make for a delicious and festive baked good that is perfect for the holiday season or any time of the year.
Is cranberry brown bread healthy?
Cranberry bread, like most baked goods, can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. However, it is not considered a particularly healthy food as it is high in sugar and fat.
One serving of cranberry bread typically contains around 200-300 calories, depending on the size of the slice and the recipe.
It also contains significant amounts of sugar, butter, and refined flour, which can contribute to weight gain and other health problems if consumed in large quantities.
If you want to make your cranberry bread healthier, try using whole grain flour, reducing the sugar, using unsweetened applesauce or yogurt to replace some of the butter, and increasing the number of cranberries in the recipe.
You can also try using a reduced-fat or fat-free spread instead of butter and using fresh or dried cranberries that are unsweetened.
While cranberry bread can be a delicious treat, it is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Why is my cranberry bread crumbly?
Cranberry bread that is crumbly can be due to several reasons
- Over mixing – Over mixing the batter can lead to a tough, crumbly texture. Be sure to mix the ingredients until just combined to avoid over mixing.
- Insufficient liquid – If there isn’t enough liquid in the batter, the bread can turn out dry and crumbly. Make sure to measure the liquid ingredients accurately, and consider adding a little extra if the batter seems too dry.
- Not enough fat – Cranberry bread made with a low-fat spread or fat-free alternative may turn out dry and crumbly. Use unsalted butter or a high-fat spread for a more moist and tender texture.
- Under baking – If the bread is not baked long enough, it may not set properly and turn out crumbly. Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness, and bake the bread until it is fully cooked.
- Over baking – On the other hand, if the bread is too long, it can dry out and become crumbly. To avoid over baking, start checking for doneness about 10 minutes before the end of the suggested baking time, and remove the bread from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean.
By addressing these factors and following the recipe carefully, you can make delicious and moist cranberry bread with a tender and crumbly texture.
Soon we will come with more Cranberry Bread like cranberry nut bread, pumpkin cranberry bread, cranberry loaf, ocean spray cranberry bread, cranberry bread with fresh cranberries, cranberry walnut muffins, ocean spray cranberry orange bread, and more, stay tuned.