Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe (No-Knead)

This Amish recipe for cranberry walnut bread makes the perfect treat for fall and winter. It's packed with the bright flavors of oranges, the tartness of cranberries, and the crunch of walnuts, making it a seasonal favorite.

Every slice of this bread gives you a soft, moist bite filled with juicy cranberries and crunchy walnuts. The combination of flavors and textures makes this homemade quick bread extra special.

Made with fresh cranberries and oranges, this easy cranberry orange nut bread is a simple recipe that brings out the best of the season. Whether you serve it at a holiday gathering or just enjoy it with your morning coffee, it's a delicious way to savor everyday ingredients.

Ingredients

1. All-purpose flour serves as the bread's sturdy foundation, providing the necessary structure to hold everything together and form a substantial loaf.

2. Sugar plays a dual role by balancing the tartness of cranberries and introducing a delicate touch of sweetness that elevates the overall flavor profile.

3. Baking Powder works as a leavening agent, creating a light and airy texture in the bread, resulting in a satisfyingly fluffy consistency.

4. Eggs act as the culinary glue, binding all the ingredients together while contributing a richness that makes each bite feel indulgent. (Use room temperature eggs.)

5. Buttermilk introduces a delightful tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients, and its moisture keeps the bread moist and tender.

6. Oil adds moisture and creates a tender crumb that's simply irresistible.

7. Grated orange zest invites you with a vibrant and citrusy aroma that awakens the senses and provides a refreshing zest that brightens up every slice.

8. Orange juice infuses the bread with a delightful citrus flavor, bringing a subtle tang that complements the zesty notes from the orange zest.

9. Cranberries provide a burst of tartness and delightful bursts of flavor in every bite, adding a beautiful contrast to the sweetness.

10. Nuts add a satisfying crunch and a layer of depth to the bread's texture, making it even more enjoyable to savor. (This ingredient is optional if you're not a fan of nuts.)

In the end, it's the perfect combination of these ingredients that shapes the overall taste and texture of your Cranberry Walnut Orange Bread. Whether you're baking it for the holiday season or enjoying it year-round, you'll relish the delightful blend of sweet, tangy, and nutty notes in this easy and delicious quick bread.

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How to Make Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

Whether you're a seasoned baker or trying your hand at homemade bread for the first time, this easy quick bread recipe will leave you with a perfect loaf of sweet and tangy cranberry goodness. So, roll up your sleeves, and let's get baking!

1. Prepare the Cranberries: Wash and coarsely chop the fresh cranberries and mix them with ¼ cup of sugar. Set this mixture aside.

2. Zest and Juice the Orange: Wash the skin of the orange then use a zester or grater to scrape the outer orange peel, avoiding the bitter white part. After zesting, squeeze the orange to make ¼ cup of juice.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, oil, buttermilk, orange zest, and orange juice until well combined.

4. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

5. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture. Stir, scrape the sides of the bowl, and mix only until moistened.

6. Add Cranberries and Walnuts: Gently fold in the sugared cranberries and chopped walnuts until they are evenly distributed in the batter.

7. Bake the Cranberry Nut Bread:

• Spray a standard-sized loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.
• Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
• Bake for 50 minutes to an hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs.
• Cool completely and carefully slice with a sharp bread knife.

Cranberry Orange Bread with Buttermilk - Buttermilk Substitute

This delightful cranberry walnut no-knead bread recipe is made with buttermilk. Using commercial buttermilk, found in the dairy section at the supermarket, is always the best choice.

However, if you don't have any buttermilk in your refrigerator, you can always make your own. This recipe asks for a ¾ cup of buttermilk. So add one heaping tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a ¾ measuring cup and fill it up with either whole or 2% milk. Let it rest for at least five minutes, after which, it should be thick and work like buttermilk.

Another option would be to use half milk and half plain Greek yogurt.

What is Quick Bread?

Quick bread is a delightful, time-saving way to create delicious bread. It doesn't involve kneading or the lengthy rise time that yeast bread recipes do. Instead, it relies on baking powder or baking soda as a leavening agent, allowing the dough to rise rapidly.

Whether you're making a walnut cranberry loaf, pumpkin bread, apple cinnamon bread, zucchini bread, or simple banana bread, they're all perfect choices for those who enjoy tasty, homemade sweet loaves with minimal effort.

In the world of quick bread, there's no need for a dough hook, a fancy bread machine, or long fermentation times-just some quick and easy steps to create a homemade treat that's ready in no time. Simply combine basic ingredients like eggs, oil, flour, and sugar to create an easy sweet bread.

The hardest part is resisting the temptation to slice into your creation as it cools on a wire rack. It's delightful when it's warm from the oven. However, if you cut into the loaf before it's cooled, it may want to crumble.

Quick breads are great for the holiday season and a perfect treat year-round. I love having a slice of quick bread with a cup of tea or coffee in the morning.

Gluten-Free Cranberry Orange Bread

This quick cranberry walnut bread recipe can easily be turned into gluten-free cranberry bread. My oldest daughter is on a gluten-free diet, but she loves cranberry orange bread. So I used this recipe to make her a loaf.

I substituted the all-purpose flour with Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free flour blend cup for cup. It was the only thing I changed, and she absolutely loved it.

Christmas Gifts

As the holiday season approaches, there's nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cranberry orange walnut bread wafting through the kitchen. This recipe is a delightful way to usher in the joyous festivities and create warm, memorable moments with loved ones.

With the perfect balance of tart cranberries, sweet sugar, and a hint of citrus from the orange zest, it's bound to be a family favorite.

And if you are looking for a thoughtful, homemade gift to share with friends and family during the holiday season, look no further. This cranberry bread loaf is a heartfelt gift that can be wrapped in love and ribbons.

Edited to add: This bread can be baked in mini loaf pans to give as gifts. Shelby left a comment below, saying that she baked this in 4 mini pans for 40 minutes.

Note in the photo above that my bread looks a little crumbly. It's because I didn't wait till it was cold to slice it. It will be slightly crumbly if sliced while still warm.

More Amish Christmas Holiday Recipes

• Holiday Fruit Cake
• Layered Finger Jello
• Layered Christmas Ribbon Salad
• Date and Walnut Cake Pudding
• Homemade Chocolate Truffles
• Caramel Popcorn
• Cashew Crunch