Description
Bright, tart cranberries, creamy pockets of white chocolate, and fragrant orange zest make this quick bread a festive favorite. No yeast, no waiting—just straightforward, joyful baking that delivers a tender, golden loaf perfect for brunch, gifting, or a sweet afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
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2 cups all-purpose flour (or swap 1 cup for whole wheat)
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¾ cup granulated sugar (or light brown sugar)
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1½ tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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1 tbsp orange zest
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Optional: 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
Wet Ingredients
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¾ cup fresh orange juice
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⅓ cup neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or melted coconut oil)
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1 large egg (or 1 flax egg for vegan version)
Add-ins
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1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, halved
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¾ cup white chocolate chips or chopped chunks
Instructions
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and optionally line with parchment paper overhang for easy removal.
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Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest. Optional: add vanilla or almond extract.
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Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk orange juice, oil, and egg until smooth.
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Fold Wet into Dry: Gently fold wet ingredients into dry using a spatula. Stop as soon as flour is incorporated—some lumps are fine.
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Add Cranberries & Chocolate: Toss cranberries and white chocolate in 1 tbsp flour, then fold into batter to prevent sinking.
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Transfer to Pan: Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the top, and optionally sprinkle extra cranberries and chocolate on top.
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Bake: Bake 50–60 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly.
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Cool: Let cool in pan 10–15 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
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Prevent Sinking: Toss add-ins in flour before folding.
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Check Doneness: Toothpick should come out mostly clean; slight crumbs are fine.
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Storage: Store wrapped at room temp up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
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Serving Suggestion: Warm slices, with butter or cream cheese, or a drizzle of orange glaze.