Jubilee Jewel Zesty Cranberry Orange Christmas Tea Loaf

Cranberry Orange Loaf

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Preparation time:25 Mins

Cooking time:60 Mins

Servings:10-12 slices

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (113g) Unsalted Butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) Granulated Sugar
• 2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons Orange Zest (from 1 large orange)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) Fresh Orange Juice
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 3/4 cups (210g) All-Purpose Flour, sifted
• 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups (150g) Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
• 1 Tablespoon All-Purpose Flour (for coating cranberries)
• 1 cup (120g) Powdered Sugar (for optional glaze)
• 2-3 Tablespoons Orange Juice (for optional glaze)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a standard 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides.
• Toss the fresh or frozen cranberries lightly with 1 tablespoon of the measured flour mixture to prevent them from sinking during baking.
• In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together using a mixer until the mixture is pale and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Mix in the orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining sifted flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients on low speed. Mix only until just combined; do not over-mix the batter to ensure a tender crumb.
• Gently fold in the flour-coated cranberries using a rubber spatula.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully lifting it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the optional glaze, whisk the powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the fully cooled loaf and allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:485 kcal

Protein:4.4 g

Fat:11.5 g

Carbs:63.2 g

Fiber:5.6 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:4039 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Quick Bread, Dessert, Holiday Baking

Cuisine:British

Why This Christmas Cranberry Loaf Steals the Holiday Show

There is a certain magic that infuses the air during the holiday season, often heralded by the scent of warm spices mingling with bright citrus notes. This Christmas Cranberry Loaf is more than just a sweet treat; it’s a culinary welcome mat for any guest who stops by. Unlike heavy fruitcakes that can feel dense, this recipe elevates the humble loaf cake into something truly spectacular. It's light enough for an afternoon tea session yet substantial enough to feel like a proper indulgence. It manages the tricky balance between tartness from the vibrant cranberries and the comforting warmth of a classic quick bread, cementing its place among the best Easy Christmas Baking Recipes available. It’s reliable, beautiful, and guarantees a warm reception every time it emerges from the oven.

The Secret to an Unforgettably Moist Holiday Bake

Achieving a truly magnificent Moist Cranberry Loaf is often the holy grail for home bakers. Many recipes end up dry because the fruit draws moisture during baking, leaving the surrounding crumb parched. Our method combats this head-on through precise ingredient ratios and specific preparation techniques designed to lock in hydration. This Christmas Cranberry Loaf Recipe uses softened butter creamed properly with sugar, which traps air, providing lift, while the inclusion of fresh orange juice contributes crucial liquid content that steams open the crumb during the bake.

From Oven to Table: The Perfect Festive Centrepiece

Imagine pulling this glistening Holiday Cranberry Loaf from the oven—the aroma alone is enough to stop conversations. Its visual appeal, punctuated by those jewel-toned berries peeking through the golden crust, makes it an ideal centerpiece for your holiday dessert table or buffet spread. It serves beautifully as a standalone star or as part of a larger spread of Christmas Baking Ideas . Because it holds its moisture so well, slicing it thin for serving doesn't result in crumbling, ensuring every guest gets a perfect portion.

Aromatic Alchemy: Combining Citrus Brightness with Winter Berries

The signature flavour profile here rests squarely on the partnership between cranberries and orange. If you’ve ever enjoyed a Cranberry Orange Bread , you know this combination is unbeatable. The sharp, slightly acidic bite of the cranberry is beautifully tempered by the fragrant oils released from fresh orange zest and the sweet tang of its juice. This isn't just a simple sweet bread; it’s an aromatic adventure that captures the bright, zesty essence of winter citrus. We use the zest directly in the batter and the juice in both the batter and the optional glaze, ensuring the citrus flavour runs deep.

Setting Expectations: Texture and Flavour Profile

When you take that first bite of this Festive Cranberry Loaf , you should expect a texture that is tender, cake-like, and wonderfully yielding, rather than dense or bready. The flavour hits immediately with that bright orange note, followed quickly by the burst of tart cranberry against the subtle sweetness of the sugar and a hint of warm cinnamon. This is a definitive example of Cranberry Bread Recipes Sweet , leaning toward a moist cake texture ideal for holiday snacking.

Assembling the Pantheon of Components for Your Loaf

Before the mixing begins, gathering your components is crucial for a smooth baking experience. For this recipe, we are aiming for high-quality, fresh ingredients to maximize the flavour impact of this Christmas Loaf Cake . You will need 1/2 cup (113g) of room temperature, unsalted butter, 1 cup (200g) of granulated sugar, and two large eggs, which must also be at room temperature to properly emufy with the fat. For the characteristic tang, secure one large orange for zesting (about 2 teaspoons) and juicing (1/4 cup required). The dry foundation requires 1 3/4 cups (210g) of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for that essential holiday warmth. Finally, the stars of the show: 1 1/2 cups (150g) of fresh or frozen cranberries.

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Essential Gear: Tools Needed for Perfecting the Christmas Cranberry Loaf

Having the right equipment ensures precision, which is paramount in baking. You will definitely need a standard 9x5 inch loaf pan, which should be thoroughly prepared with grease and parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the long sides to facilitate easy removal later. A stand mixer or a good electric hand mixer is highly recommended for the initial creaming stage, as it properly aerates the butter and sugar. Beyond that, two large mixing bowls are necessary to keep your wet and dry components separate before combining. A quality rubber spatula is your best friend for gently folding the delicate batter, and a microplane or fine zester is non-negotiable for extracting maximum flavour from the orange rind.

Measuring Mastery: Ensuring Accuracy with Dry Essentials

Accuracy in measuring the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon is vital for achieving the correct rise and crumb structure. Remember, scooping flour directly from the bag compacts it; always spoon the flour lightly into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. The 1/2 teaspoon of salt is essential; it doesn't just season the loaf; it helps control the yeast (though this is a chemical leavener, salt still balances the sweetness) and deepens the flavour profile of the baked goods.

The Wet Wonders: Fats, Dairy, and Zest Infusion Secrets

The textural success of this Christmas Cranberry Loaf hinges on the initial creaming of the butter and sugar. This process incorporates air bubbles that expand during baking, creating lift and tenderness. The butter must be soft—yielding easily to gentle pressure—but not melted. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, ensuring the mixture doesn't look curdled, and always scrape down the bowl sides frequently. The orange zest should be added before the liquid to allow the oils to infuse into the fat mixture, maximizing that sunny citrus aroma right from the start.

Prepping the Pockets: Preparing the Cranberries for Baking Bliss

One of the most critical (and often overlooked) steps in making a successful fruit-filled quick bread is preparing the fruit itself. To prevent the cranberries from sinking en masse to the bottom of your loaf pan, they must be gently tossed in about 1 tablespoon of the measured flour mixture before being added to the final batter. This light dusting coats the berries, giving the batter something to grip onto as it sets around them during the bake. Whether you use fresh or frozen berries, this step is mandatory for an even distribution throughout your Cranberry Orange Bread .

The Step-by-Step Construction of Your Perfect Loaf

With your components ready and your equipment set, the actual construction of this Christmas Cranberry Loaf comes together quickly. Start by preheating your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) and preparing that 9x5 pan.

Creaming Magic: Building the Base Batter Foundation

In your mixer bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together on medium-high speed for a solid three to four minutes. You are looking for a significant transformation: the mixture should become noticeably lighter in colour—almost pale yellow—and fluffy in texture, holding soft peaks when lifted. Next, introduce the two lightly beaten eggs, adding them slowly, one at a time, waiting until the first is fully incorporated before adding the second. Follow this by mixing in the orange zest, the 1/4 cup of orange juice, and vanilla extract until just smooth.

The Folding Technique: Gently Incorporating the Berries and Flour

In your separate bowl, ensure your dry ingredients (the flour mixture, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon) are well whisked together. Now, reduce your mixer speed to the absolute lowest setting, or switch to hand mixing. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three additions, mixing only until the white streaks of flour have just disappeared. This is your stopping point! Over-mixing develops gluten and ruins the tender crumb. Finally, take your flour-coated cranberries and gently fold them through the batter using your spatula. Transfer this beautiful batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Glazing Goals: Crafting the Show-Stopping Orange Drizzle

Baking takes approximately 50 to 60 minutes. You know it's done when a wooden skewer inserted into the centre emerges clean. Resist the urge to slice it immediately; let the Christmas Cranberry Loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes before using the parchment sling to lift it onto a wire rack to cool completely. For the optional glaze, which adds an extra layer of festive sweetness, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of fresh orange juice until smooth and pourable. Once the loaf is entirely cool—this prevents the glaze from melting off—drizzle generously over the top, letting it set before slicing.

Pro Chef Notes & Troubleshooting Common Loaf Issues

When tackling any quick bread, moisture management is key. If your loaf is browning too quickly on the surface before the interior is cooked through (common in loaf shapes), immediately tent the top loosely with aluminium foil halfway through the baking time. This shields the top while allowing the heat to penetrate to the centre. On top of that,, if your batter seems surprisingly thin after adding the wet ingredients, don't panic—the density of the cranberries will provide necessary structure, provided you haven't over-mixed after adding the flour.

Post-Bake Care: Storing Your Festive Creation

Proper storage ensures that the lovely texture achieved in the oven lasts through the holiday period. This loaf is designed to taste even better the next day as the moisture from the fruit redistributes through the crumb.

Variations on the Theme: Adding Nuts or Spices to Your Christmas Cranberry Loaf

While this recipe shines on its own, customizing it is half the fun of Easy Christmas Baking Recipes . For added texture, incorporate 1/2 cup of toasted pecans or walnuts when you fold in the cranberries. If you prefer a deeper, more traditional winter flavour, boost the spice cabinet by adding 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger and a tiny pinch of ground cloves alongside the cinnamon in your dry mix. This transforms it into an even richer Christmas Loaf Cake .

Frequently Asked Queries Answered by the Baker

Q: Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh? A: Yes, dried cranberries can be substituted, but you must soak them first! Place 1 1/2 cups of dried cranberries in a small bowl with enough hot orange juice (or water) to cover them for about 15 minutes. Drain them thoroughly and pat them dry before tossing them in the flour mixture. This prevents them from sucking moisture out of your batter.

Q: Why did my loaf sink in the middle? A: Sinking is usually caused by under-baking or opening the oven door too early. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate (using an external thermometer helps) and avoid peeking before the 45-minute mark. Sinking can also occur if too much liquid or too little leavening agent was added.

Shelf Life Secrets: Keeping This Loaf Fresh for Days

To maintain the exceptional moistness of this Moist Cranberry Loaf , ensure it is completely cooled before wrapping. Wrap the cooled loaf tightly first in plastic wrap, and then place that wrapped loaf into an airtight container or a heavy-duty zip-top bag. Stored at cool room temperature, it should remain perfectly fresh for up to four days. Freezing is also an excellent option; slice it first, then freeze the slices layered between parchment paper in an airtight container for up to three months.

Reader Raves: Testimonials and Suggested Pairings

We’ve heard from countless bakers that this recipe is a staple! One reader, Sarah from Bristol, mentioned, "This is the only Holiday Cranberry Loaf recipe I ever use; my family demands it every December!" For serving, we highly suggest pairing the slices with a strong cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of chilled eggnog for a truly decadent experience. The slight acidity of the loaf cuts through the richness beautifully.