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A rustic loaf of cranberry walnut bread, dusted with flour and sliced on a dark slate board.

The Ultimate Cranberry Walnut Bread


  • Author: Hilary PARKER
  • Total Time: 50 mins
  • Yield: 1 slice 1x

Description

This easy, one-bowl cranberry walnut bread recipe combines tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and bright orange zest into two delicious loaves—perfect for enjoying fresh and freezing for later, delivering cozy fall flavors and effortless comfort food.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Dry Foundation:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt

For the Citrus Magic:

  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange zest
  • 1½ cups freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs, beaten

For the Mix-ins:

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries, lightly chopped (save a few whole for topping)
  • 1 to cups chopped walnuts (depending on your walnut love level!)

Instructions

Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grab two loaf pans and spray each with baking spray. Line each pan with parchment paper cut to the width of the long side, leaving extra flaps hanging over the edges – these will be your lifesaving handles for easy removal!

Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt using a trusty wooden spoon. Mix everything together until evenly distributed – this is your flavor foundation.

Add the Wet Magic: Add the fresh orange zest, orange juice, melted butter, and beaten eggs to the dry ingredients. Stir with your wooden spoon until everything comes together into a beautiful, cohesive batter. The fresh orange juice and zest will make your kitchen smell absolutely heavenly!

Fold in the Stars: Add the chopped cranberries and however many chopped walnuts make your heart happy to the bowl. Stir gently until they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter – every bite should have that perfect balance of tart cranberries and crunchy nuts.

Fill & Bake: Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared loaf pans, spreading it smooth with a spatula. For extra drama and beauty, toss a few whole cranberries on top of each loaf! Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool & Enjoy: Remove the beautifully golden loaves from the oven and let them cool on a rack while still in the pans. Once cool enough to handle, use those parchment paper handles to lift the breads out effortlessly. Slice and serve with butter, cream cheese, or whatever makes your dreams come true!

Notes

The secret to perfect cranberry walnut bread is in the orange juice and zest combination – use freshly squeezed orange juice for the brightest, most vibrant flavor! When chopping your cranberries, don’t go too fine – you want bursts of tart flavor in every bite. This recipe’s genius lies in making two loaves: enjoy one fresh and warm, then wrap the second tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. When you need a quick hostess gift or want to feel like a baking superstar, just defrost that frozen loaf and watch everyone marvel at your preparedness!

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12th of recipe)
  • Calories: 340kcal
  • Sugar: 36g
  • Sodium: 598mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Carbohydrates: 68g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 41mg