If you love sweet and fruity bread, you will enjoy this Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Bread recipe. It is soft, moist and full of fresh flavors. The bright taste of oranges blends perfectly with tart cranberries.
This bread is great for breakfast, brunch or a snack with tea. Today, I will share my experience, step-by-step instructions and tips. You will learn how to make Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Bread with ease.
My Experience With This Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Bread
I tried this recipe last weekend. The smell of fresh oranges and cranberries filled my kitchen. It is simple to make and the bread turned out soft and sweet. Even my kids loved it.
The balance of tart cranberries and sweet orange glaze is perfect. I like how easy it is to prepare with basic ingredients. I also learned a few tips to make it extra moist and flavorful. This recipe quickly became a favorite in my home.
Recipe Card Info
- Recipe Name: Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Bread
- Servings: 8
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
- Course: Breakfast / Snack
- Cuisine: American
- Calories: 250 kcal per serving
Equipment List
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Loaf pan
- Parchment paper or butter for greasing
- Cooling rack
Ingredients You Need for Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange zest (from 2 oranges)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Step-by-Step Guide
- Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. - Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir to mix well. - Combine Sugar and Orange Zest
Rub sugar and orange zest together with your fingers. This releases natural oils and flavor. - Cream Butter and Sugar
In another bowl, beat butter and sugar mixture until light and fluffy using a wooden spoon. - Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract until smooth and combined. - Add Orange Juice
Pour in orange juice slowly. Mix until batter is even and creamy. - Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix. - Fold in Cranberries and Walnuts
Gently fold cranberries and walnuts into the batter for even distribution. - Pour Batter into Pan
Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. - Bake the Bread
Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. - Prepare Glaze
While bread cools, mix powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. - Glaze the Bread
Drizzle glaze over warm bread. Let it soak slightly before slicing. - Cool Completely
Place bread on a cooling rack. Let it cool for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Tips to Make the Best Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Bread
- Use fresh cranberries for better flavor.
- Zest the oranges yourself for stronger taste.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep bread soft.
- Let the bread cool slightly before glazing.
- Add walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using frozen cranberries without thawing may make bread soggy.
- Overbaking can dry the bread.
- Skipping orange zest reduces flavor.
- Mixing too long makes the bread dense.
- Forgetting to grease the pan causes sticking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of cranberry orange bread with butter or cream cheese. It pairs well with a hot cup of coffee or tea. You can also serve it with yogurt for a light breakfast. It is perfect for holiday brunches or cozy weekends at home.
Variations You Can Try
- Add chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- Use a mix of dried cranberries and fresh cranberries.
- Substitute orange juice with tangerine juice.
- Make mini loaves for gifts or parties.
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store bread in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerate if keeping for more than 2 days.
- Wrap slices in foil and freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10 minutes.
- Microwave single slices for 20–30 seconds before serving.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
Health Benefits
Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Oranges add extra vitamin C and natural sweetness. This bread is a better option than many sugary snacks. Using fresh ingredients makes it wholesome and flavorful.
Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange zest from 2 oranges
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup orange juice freshly squeezed
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir to mix well.
Combine Sugar and Orange Zest
- Rub sugar and orange zest together with your fingers. This releases natural oils and flavor.
Cream Butter and Sugar
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar mixture until light and fluffy using a wooden spoon.
Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
Add Orange Juice
- Pour in orange juice slowly. Mix until batter is even and creamy.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fold in Cranberries and Walnuts
- Gently fold cranberries and walnuts into the batter for even distribution.
Pour Batter into Pan
- Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake the Bread
- Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.
Prepare Glaze
- While bread cools, mix powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth.
Glaze the Bread
- Drizzle glaze over warm bread. Let it soak slightly before slicing.
Cool Completely
- Place bread on a cooling rack. Let it cool for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries for better flavor.
- Zest the oranges yourself for stronger taste.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep bread soft.
- Let the bread cool slightly before glazing.
- Add walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
FAQs about Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Bread
Q1: Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes, but thaw and drain them first to avoid extra moisture in the bread.
Q2: Can I make this bread gluten-free?
Yes, replace flour with a gluten-free flour mix. Texture may be slightly different.
Q3: How long will it stay fresh?
It stays fresh for 3–4 days at room temperature. Refrigerate for longer.
Q4: Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, bread will still taste good. Glaze adds extra sweetness and flavor.
Final Thoughts
Ina Garten Cranberry Orange Bread is simple, delicious and perfect for any occasion. It is soft, fruity and bright with orange flavor.
This recipe is easy to follow and yields amazing results every time. Try it for breakfast, brunch or a sweet snack. You will love making it and sharing it with friends and family.
Hi, I’m Emily Grace! I love cooking simple, tasty food that brings people together. On Bite Dive, I share easy recipes, fun food tips, and ideas to make every meal special. My kitchen is my happy place, and I’m so excited to share it with you!