Deliciously Moist Vegan Cranberry Orange Bread with Zesty Glaze: Your New Favorite Quick Bread!
Discover the ultimate indulgence with this incredibly soft and moist vegan cranberry orange bread. Perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness and a delightful tart tang, this quick bread is a game-changer for any occasion. Best of all, it’s entirely plant-based and comes together in just over an hour, making it an ideal choice for a busy morning, an afternoon treat, or a comforting dessert.
This particular recipe for cranberry orange bread holds a special place among my favorite vegan baked goods. Its exquisite flavor profile makes it versatile enough to enjoy as a sweet treat with a comforting cup of tea or a frothy whipped Dalgona coffee. Yet, its wholesome ingredients also make it an excellent choice for a hearty and flavorful breakfast. Imagine starting your day with a slice of this vibrant bread, offering a burst of citrus and a hint of tartness.
The secret to this bread’s remarkable texture and flavor lies in a few key ingredients. Unsweetened applesauce not only imparts a subtle, natural sweetness but also acts as a fantastic binder and moisture enhancer, ensuring every bite is tender and never dry. Toasted walnuts introduce a rich, buttery, and nutty depth, along with a satisfying crunch that beautifully contrasts the soft crumb. The homemade vegan buttermilk, created with plant-based milk and vinegar, adds a lovely tanginess that elevates the overall taste. And, of course, the star of the show – fresh or frozen cranberries – truly shines through, delivering that perfect splash of vibrant tartness that cuts through the sweetness and keeps you coming back for more. This combination creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that is simply irresistible.
If you needed even more compelling reasons to whip up this cranberry orange loaf, consider this: it’s not only incredibly delicious and suitable for a vegan diet, but it’s also surprisingly straightforward to make. You don’t need to be an expert baker to achieve fantastic results with this recipe. Its simplicity and quick preparation time mean you can enjoy a freshly baked loaf without spending hours in the kitchen, making it perfect for both seasoned bakers and beginners alike.
Essential Ingredients for Your Vegan Cranberry Orange Bread
Crafting this tender, flavorful, and entirely vegan cranberry orange bread requires a selection of readily available ingredients. Below is a detailed list of what you’ll need, along with specific notes to ensure the best possible outcome. For precise measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this page.
For the Bread:
- Soy Milk: While soy milk is recommended for its neutral flavor and creamy texture, feel free to use your preferred unsweetened and unflavored plant-based milk. Almond, oat, or cashew milk can also work wonderfully.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This ingredient is crucial for creating homemade vegan buttermilk, which provides a lovely tang and helps the bread rise. White vinegar is an excellent alternative if you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our bread. Ensure it’s fresh for optimal baking results. For a gluten-free option, see the dedicated section below.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides the perfect level of sweetness. Cane sugar is also a great choice, especially if you want to ensure your sugar is truly vegan (as some white sugars are processed with bone char).
- Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the bread achieve its light and airy texture.
- Baking Soda: Another key leavening agent that reacts with the vinegar in the buttermilk to create a tender crumb.
- Sea Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and tartness.
- Orange Juice: This is where the vibrant citrus flavor begins! It adds a subtle yet distinct touch of orange. For an even more pronounced orange taste, you can substitute up to ½ cup of the plant-based milk with fresh orange juice.
- Orange Zest: (Optional, but highly recommended) Don’t skip this if you love a strong citrus aroma and flavor. The zest contains essential oils that significantly boost the orange notes in the bread.
- Applesauce: Opt for unsweetened applesauce. It’s a fantastic natural sweetener and fat replacement, contributing significantly to the bread’s moistness without adding excessive sugar.
- Vanilla Extract: Use a pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. Avoid artificial vanilla flavorings, as they can impart an unpleasant aftertaste.
- Cranberries: Both fresh or frozen cranberries work beautifully in this recipe. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them beforehand. They will bake perfectly into the loaf.
- Walnuts: These provide a delightful crunch and a rich, nutty flavor. Toasting them beforehand (as described in the instructions) enhances their aroma and taste considerably.
For the Optional Glaze:
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, it forms the base of our smooth, sweet glaze.
- Orange Juice: Use pulp-free orange juice to ensure a silky-smooth glaze texture. This adds another layer of bright orange flavor to the finished bread.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread
Creating this easy and delicious vegan cranberry orange bread is a straightforward process that takes just over an hour from start to finish. Follow these detailed steps to achieve a perfectly baked loaf every time.
- Toast the Walnuts: Begin by lightly spraying a pan with oil. Add your chopped walnuts (or whole walnuts, which you can chop after toasting) and cook them over medium heat for a few minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they become fragrant and slightly golden. Immediately remove them from the heat and let them cool completely. This crucial step deepens their flavor and adds a wonderful toasted aroma to your bread.
- Dredge the Cranberries: In a small bowl, gently coat the cranberries (fresh or frozen) with a teaspoon of all-purpose flour. This simple technique helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf during baking, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the bread. Set them aside until needed.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan. You can use vegan butter, cooking spray, or oil for this step.
- Make Vegan Buttermilk: In a liquid measuring cup, combine the unsweetened plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar). Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. The milk will curdle slightly, forming a homemade vegan buttermilk essential for the bread’s texture and tang.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Ensure these dry ingredients are well combined to prevent pockets of leavening agents in your final bread.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Pour the prepared vegan buttermilk, fresh orange juice, optional orange zest, unsweetened applesauce, and pure vanilla extract into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or whisk until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine and often result in a more tender bread.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold the cooled, toasted walnuts and the flour-dredged cranberries into the batter. Mix just enough to distribute them evenly; excessive mixing can lead to a tough bread.
- Transfer and Bake: Pour the vegan cranberry orange bread batter into your prepared loaf pan. For an extra touch of beauty, you can sprinkle a few more fresh cranberries on top before baking. Place the loaf pan in the center of the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, and the edges of the bread have started to pull away from the sides of the pan.
- Cooling Process: Once baked, remove the cranberry bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This allows the bread to set and firm up slightly. After 10 minutes, carefully remove the loaf from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture.
- Prepare the Glaze (Optional): While the bread cools, prepare the optional orange glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and pulp-free orange juice until smooth and well combined. If the glaze is too thick for your liking, add a tiny bit more orange juice (a few drops at a time) until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the cranberry orange bread has cooled completely (this is important for the glaze to set properly), generously drizzle the orange glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade, deliciously moist vegan bread!
Expert Tips for Baking the Best Vegan Cranberry Orange Bread
Achieving a truly outstanding vegan cranberry orange bread is simple with these expert tricks and tips. Pay attention to these details, and you’ll consistently bake a loaf that’s both tender and bursting with flavor.
- Ensure Room Temperature Milk: Whenever possible, plan ahead and take your non-dairy milk out of the refrigerator a couple of hours before you begin baking. Room temperature milk reacts much more effectively with the vinegar to create the buttermilk, resulting in a more potent curdling action. Furthermore, room temperature ingredients emulsify better and mix more smoothly with dry ingredients, leading to a more uniform and tender batter.
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: This is arguably one of the most critical tips for any quick bread. When you’re combining the wet and dry ingredients, stir only until they are just incorporated and no dry streaks of flour remain. Resist the urge to mix for too long. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour excessively, which can lead to a tough, dense, and chewy bread instead of the tender, fluffy loaf you desire. It also knocks out air bubbles, further contributing to a heavy texture.
- Cool Completely Before Slicing or Glazing: It can be incredibly tempting to slice into this aromatic vegan cranberry orange bread as soon as it comes out of the oven. However, patience is key! Allowing the bread to cool fully, preferably on a wire rack, is essential. During the cooling process, the internal structure of the bread sets, and any residual moisture distributes evenly. This firms up the bread, preventing it from crumbling when sliced, and ensures the glaze sets beautifully without melting or running off.
- Dredge Your Cranberries: As mentioned in the instructions, don’t skip coating your cranberries in a light dusting of flour. This thin layer creates a barrier that helps suspend the cranberries throughout the batter, preventing them from sinking to the bottom of the pan during baking. This ensures you get a burst of tart cranberry in every single bite!
- Don’t Overfill Your Loaf Pan: A common mistake is to overfill the loaf pan. For a standard 9×5-inch pan, the batter should typically fill it about two-thirds of the way. Overfilling can cause the bread to spill over the sides during baking or result in an underbaked center.
Can This Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe Be Made Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! This versatile vegan cranberry bread recipe can easily be adapted to be gluten-free. To do so, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Many reputable brands offer excellent all-purpose gluten-free flour blends that are specifically formulated for baking and will yield fantastic results without compromising the taste or texture of your delicious loaf. Just ensure your chosen blend contains xanthan gum (or add a small amount if it doesn’t) to help with the structure.
How to Properly Store Your Cranberry Orange Bread
To keep any leftover slices of this delightful vegan bread fresh and moist, proper storage is key. Once the bread has cooled completely, place it in an airtight container or bag, or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Stored at room temperature, it will maintain its freshness and flavor for up to 2 days. For extended freshness, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. This cranberry orange bread is delicious served cold, but for a warm, comforting treat, simply pop a slice into the toaster on medium heat until gently warmed through.
Can This Vegan Cranberry Bread Recipe Be Frozen?
Yes, absolutely! Freezing is a fantastic option for preserving this cranberry bread, allowing you to enjoy a quick and delicious snack or breakfast whenever a craving strikes. To freeze, ensure the bread is completely cooled. Store the loaf or individual slices in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 4 months. I highly recommend slicing the bread into individual portions before freezing. This way, you can easily grab a single slice from the freezer and toast it directly, eliminating the need to thaw the entire loaf. Defrosting and reheating individual slices in a toaster yields a wonderfully fresh-ttasting result!
More Delicious Cranberry Recipes to Explore
I am a huge enthusiast of cranberries and their incredible versatility in both sweet and savory dishes. If you thoroughly enjoyed making and tasting this vegan cranberry orange bread, then I’m confident you’ll adore some of my other favorite cranberry-centric recipes! These recipes showcase the bright, tart, and festive flavor of cranberries in exciting new ways.
- Scrumptious Vegan & Gluten-Free Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Sweet & Tangy Vegan Cranberry Meatballs
- Refreshing Winter Cranberry Gin Fizz Cocktail with Cran-Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Fluffy Vegan Orange Cranberry Waffles with Homemade Maple Cranberry Compote
- Elegant Vegan Cranberry “Goat Cheese” Crostini for Appetizers
Enjoy, my friends! If you try this fantastic cranberry orange bread recipe, please be sure to snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! I would absolutely love to see your creations. Also, if you loved this recipe, please consider leaving a comment below and giving it a star rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and helps others discover these delicious vegan recipes! Thanks so much for your support!
Cranberry Orange Bread with Orange Glaze
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Ingredients
For the Bread:
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened soy or other plant based milk, (210mL) room temperature
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, (240g)
- 1 cup granulated or cane sugar, (200g) (if using a white sugar, make sure it’s organic)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest, optional but does boost orange flavour
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, (122g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
- ½ cup chopped and toasted walnuts , (56g)
For the Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
Prep Steps
- Toast the walnuts slightly in a pan sprayed with oil for a few minutes until fragrant. You can chop them before toasting, or after once they’ve cooled slightly.
- Coat the cranberries in about 1 teaspoon of flour so that they don’t sink to the bottom of the pan. Set aside both until needed later on.
For the Bread
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
- In a liquid measuring cup, combine the milk and vinegar to make vegan buttermilk. Let it sit while you move on with the recipe.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the orange juice, optional orange zest, applesauce, buttermilk mixture, and vanilla. Mix until just incorporated. Don’t over-mix. Fold in the cooled walnuts, followed by the coated cranberries, mixing as little as possible.
- Pour into the prepared pan and place a few more cranberries on top. Bake in the center of the oven until a toothpick in the center comes out clean and the sides start to pull away from the pan, 55 minutes to 60 minutes (I did 1 hour).
- Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Allow the bread to cool completely.
For the Orange Glaze
- Mix together the powdered sugar and orange juice until fully combined. Feel free to thicken if desired with more powdered sugar or thin out with more milk or orange juice depending on which flavor you prefer.
- Drizzle on the orange glaze, ensuring to spread it down the sides too. Slice as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Store in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Defrost and reheat in the toaster.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.