If you love banana bread, you will enjoy this Cranberry Orange Banana Bread. The beautiful addition of dried cranberries and fresh orange juice brings this banana bread to the next level.
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Embrace the Flavors in This Recipe
This is a sweet bread fit for any occasion during the holidays. It is easy to make and very good for breakfast, brunch, or late afternoon, next to a cup of tea or coffee.
Banana bread is such a great comforting bread that everyone loves. However, this version that adds fresh orange juice and zest together with dried cranberries will soon become a favorite in your house.
A bonus for this recipe is the addition of nuts. I like the different textures and flavors in this bread, and I always look forward to making this recipe when I have ripe bananas sitting around.
Ingredients Needed
(See the complete list of ingredients and amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the article):
- All-purpose flour: The recipe requires all-purpose flour, the most popular flour in most American households. If you have self-rising flour, you will need to skip the baking powder and salt, as these ingredients are parts of this flour type.
- Baking powder: Baking powder helps the bread rise, so please do not skip it.
- Salt: Salt is an essential ingredient in baking as it enhances and balances the flavors of the baked goods.
- Light brown sugar: You can replace it with the same amount of granulated or dark brown sugar. If you use dark brown sugar, the bread will be darker in color and denser with a more caramel or molasses flavor.
- Bananas: Any good banana bread has overripe bananas. I genuinely believe this bread was invented for these bananas sitting on the kitchen counter and not being loved. Like the zucchini bread using extra zucchini or carrot cake, using carrots, right?
- Orange: We will need the zest and the juice from an orange.
- Walnuts: I chose walnuts for this recipe, but pecans or chopped almonds are good, too. If you are allergic to nuts, you can skip them.
- Dried cranberries: The original recipe requires cranberries; if you don't have them, use dried tart cherries or raisins. Remember that raisins provide more sweetness, while cherries are sour.
- Large eggs: I use large eggs in all my baking as they are the most popular and easy to find in my area.
- Sunflower oil: Any vegetable oil, even olive oil, will work as long as it is unflavored.
How To Make Cranberry Orange Banana Bread
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a loaf baking pan. Set aside.
Step 2. Sieve the flour, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl. Add brown sugar and mix well.
Step 3. Stir in mashed bananas, orange zest, nuts, and dried cranberries.
Step 4. Mix orange juice, oil, and eggs until well combined.
Step 5. Add the mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until well blended.
Step 6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for an hour until firm to the touch or until a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out the loaf and leave it to cool on a wire rack.
How To Store Banana Bread
This bread will keep fresh for up to 2-3 days. Wrap it and store it in a cool, dry place. If you plan on eating this bread right away, keep it wrapped in foil on the counter. It is a perfect bread to freeze for later use. It would keep well in the freezer for up to three months.
How To Serve Cranberry Orange Banana Bread
You can serve it in multiple ways:
- Warm with Butter: Slice the bread and warm it slightly in a toaster or oven. Spread some butter on top and serve.
- With Cream Cheese or Mascarpone: Spread a layer of cream cheese or mascarpone on each slice.
- Toasted: Lightly toast the slices until the edges are crisp. Spread them with honey, maple syrup, or jam.
- Accompanied by Fresh Fruit: Orange segments or berries work well.
- As part of a Brunch Spread: Include it in a brunch menu with eggs, yogurt, granola, and other pastries.
- With Tea or Coffee: Serve a slice with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.
- Dessert Style: Top slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Gift It: Wrap the loaf or individual slices in decorative packaging and gift them to family and friends for holidays, housewarming gifts, or to cheer up somebody.
More banana bread recipes
- Cocoa Walnuts Banana Bread
- Delicious Cream Cheese Banana Bread
- Easy Banana-Buttermilk Pancakes
- Easy Banana Nut Muffins
- Best Banana Coffee Cake
- Easy Banana Bread With Sour Cream
📖 Recipe
Cranberry Orange Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- zest from one orange
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- orange juice from 1 orange or 5-6 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 large eggs beaten
- ⅔ cup sunflower oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Grease a loaf baking pan. Set aside.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
- Stir in sugar, mashed bananas, orange zest, nuts, and dried cranberries.
- Mix orange juice, oil, and eggs until well combined. Add the mixture to the dry ingredients and blend them well.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for an hour until firm to the touch or until a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Turn out the loaf and leave it to cool on a wire rack.
- This bread will keep fresh for about 2-3 days. Wrap it and store it in a cool, dry place.
Notes
I did not experiment with other ingredients, so I cannot tell you what would happen if you would start replacing them. However, if you like experimenting and come up with something brilliant, please come back and let me know in the comments.
Linda says
Yes I made this recipe , it was totally amazing ! And I added a little extra something to it . So very delicious. Got to make 5 more loafs for the holidays! Thanks bossy kitchen !
The Bossy Kitchen says
Awesome, Linda! Thank you for your comment! Happy holidays!
pat says
I had one banana & a naked orange from zesting. Made 1/2 recipe as muffins. So very good!