Few years ago, while enjoying some time with my family in Romania and skyping with my husband we decided we both need a vacation. Few days later I was packing my stuff and instead of coming home I took the first flight to Mexico.
We decided upon an all-inclusive resort. We did nothing the entire vacation. Just enjoyed each other, the sun and the Mexican dishes. It was such a wonderful experience that the year after that we went on a Caribbean cruise. Sun, new places, new dishes and the best French toast ever.
This Orange Cranberry bread reminds me of those trips. It’s like a whole breakfast in one slice of bread. All-inclusive!
If you’re type of breakfast is a slice of toast with jam and a glass of orange juice, than this bread is for you!
This Orange Cranberry Bread combines the sweet and refreshing citrus flavor of freshly squeezed orange juice and orange zest with the tartness of frozen cranberries, sweetened with just a bit with honey. It’s egg and dairy free, the only fat coming from a little vegetable oil.
The idea of this bread came after Shulie (foodwanderings) asked me if I tried my Cranberry sweet buns with frozen cranberries. I haven’t (yet) but I was so intrigued by the idea of using frozen cranberries in a yeast bread I just had to try it.
I have to tell you, I was afraid the cranberries would make a big sticky mess once they were defrosted. I’m happy to tell you that wasn’t the case.
During baking, the cranberries melted and formed these sort of jam pockets. It was like eating bread with cranberry jam while enjoying a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
This Orange Cranberry Bread combines the sweet and refreshing citrus flavor of freshly squeezed orange juice and orange zest with the tartness of frozen cranberries, sweetened with just a bit with honey.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) bread flour / a high protein flour
- 2 tsp ( 1 sachet/ 7 grams) dry yeast
- 1/2 cup lukewarm water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- orange zest from 2 medium oranges
- 2 tbsp honey (add maple syrup for vegan version)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 1/2 cups (420 grams) bread flour
- 2/3 to 3/4 cup frozen cranberries
- 1 tbsp flour
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup bread flour with yeast and lukewarm water. It will become a thick paste. Leave at room temperature for a couple of minutes (5-7) until the mixture foams and have the consistency of a sponge.
- Add the orange peel, salt, honey/maple syrup, vegetable oil and orange juice. With the dough hook on start mixing slowly adding 3 1/2 cups bread flour.
- The dough should clean itself from the sides of the bowl, will be elastic and very smooth.
- In a separate bowl mix the frozen cranberries with 1 tbsp flour, making sure they are well coated.
- Take the dough out of the bowl, place it on a working area, flatten it with your fingers and add the cranberries on top of it. With your hands, start kneading the dough until all the cranberries are incorporated.
- Place the dough ball into a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let at room temperature until doubled in volume.
- Punch it down and shape it into a log. Place it into a greased bread pan (2 pound bread pan), cover and let rise again.
- Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375F.
- Bake the bread in preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes. Let cool slightly in the bread pan before removing it.
- Slice and enjoy!
Sending love your way,
Roxana
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
That is gorgeous bread, Roxana. Glad it brings back memories of a lovely vacation!
What a beautiful combination of flavours Roxana, cranberries and orange.
Mandy
So pretty, Roxana! I love orange & cranberry together.
What a beautiful bread this is, Roxana! It looks so delicious, and I bet it would make for great French toast or bread pudding! Thanks for sharing.
A slice of this bread would brighten your day for sure! We went to the Caribbean for our honeymoon and then returned to our favorite island (Barbados) years later and went to an all-inclusive resort. It’s wonderful that we can relive our holidays through food memories and photos
Such a pretty bread, pinned! I like the idea of using this for french toast,yum;-)
What a gorgeous bread…a perfect way to start your day
Happy weekend sweetie!
This bread would be perfect as toast for breakfast. I can hardly wait to try it. Thanks Roxana!
OK..this bread is the bomb..such a lovely crust & crumb and the cranberries are gorgeous! I really hope you try either my Tabbouleh bread or just Jacques Pepin’s one pot bread, adding whatever you want..it’s genius!
Just gorgeous Roxana, The texture, how beautifully the cranberries are incorporated. I wish I could have a slice. You always do such a great job baking!
I don’t know if bread can get any more pretty than that. What a perfectly lovely loaf.
I wish I could head out on an all-inclusive vaca at the moment. Too much work though right now, darn I will just have to soak up the sun rays coming off this bread. I actually have some cranberries hiding in the freezer somewhere. Hope you have a great weekend.
-Gina-
Looks delicious Roxanne! I’d love to be on vacation with my hubby right now – it’s been awhile.
I love this bread. You make the best food, honestly!
What a pretty bread – I love the pockets of cranberries. I would have thought the color would have bled too, so I’m glad to see they stayed intact. The cranberries really make this bread beautiful.
Beautiful bread! I absolutely love baking with fresh cranberries instead of dried, they’re so delicious!
you are definately the queen of bread Roxana.
I can almost smell it from here ! x
Delicious looking bread Roxy!Great story..I would totally do the same..we are one of those people that decide in the moment:)))Have a great week ahead!
What a gorgeous loaf Roxana! A classic combination, great story. Lovely post.
Wow wow wow… I love the 2nd picture so much! Looks so delicious! You will be shocked if I say I have never used fresh cranberries in my cooking. =P I love that you added orange zest in here. I’m already dreaming about this!
Great recipe! I made an orange cranberry quick bread that was so flavorful and delicious, I can only imagine how great this would be!
What a stunning bread! How perfect for breakfast with a wonderful cup of coffee. Oh how I need a vacation where you just do nothing but enjoy the resort. Have a great week.
A slice or two of this delicious bread would make my day. I love how it looks like, sounds like and I’m sure smells & tastes like.
Thanks for sharing!
Jam pockets: I think that’s such an apt description for cranberries when they’re baked in bread. I’ve tried them in scones. Looks perfect with that just right amount of refreshing cranberry flavor!
This is one beautiful bread! Love the red of the cranberries against the soft yellow of the bread…Hello, sunshine!
I have never seen a cranberry yeast bread! I’m saving this for cranberry season!!!
This sounds fantastic, Roxana! All inclusive is right….pretty, yummy and just plain amazing!
I always buy a few extra bags of cranberries after Christmas and store them in the freezer for a spring treat. French Toast out of this bread sounds divine!!
oh we’re planning a trip to Mexico in Oct and debating if we should get all-inclusive! That’s great to know
I can imagine all flavors you mentioned here and myself digging in this bread. I’m hungry all the time…
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