Cozy Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe: Sweet & Nutty Delight

Crisp autumn mornings call for a slice of hearty cranberry walnut bread that fills your kitchen with warmth and comfort.

Tart bursts of crimson berries dance through dense, nutty crumbs, creating a symphony of flavor.

Rustic and homemade, this bread whispers stories of cozy gatherings and simple pleasures.

Walnuts add a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with soft, tender bread.

Baking this recipe feels like wrapping yourself in a soft blanket of deliciousness.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes that wake up your taste buds.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this soul-warming treat.

Why Cranberry Walnut Bread Is Full Of Holiday Comfort

• Quick and Easy Baking: Whip up this delightful cranberry walnut bread with minimal effort, perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. The straightforward recipe requires simple ingredients and basic mixing techniques, making it a stress-free baking adventure.
• Versatile Flavor Explosion: Enjoy a perfect balance of tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and warm cinnamon that creates a mouth-watering taste profile. This bread works wonderfully as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or elegant dessert for casual gatherings.
• Make-Ahead Morning Magic: Prepare this bread the night before and enjoy fresh slices in the morning with minimal morning prep. Its ability to stay fresh for up to 3 days makes it an ideal option for busy households looking for convenient, delicious breakfast solutions.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: The recipe's simple ingredients and warm flavors make it a crowd-pleaser for family breakfasts, potlucks, or weekend brunches. Its rustic charm and homemade taste will have everyone asking for seconds and requesting the recipe.

Ingredients Inside Cranberry Walnut Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the bread, providing structure and texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the bread rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth and aromatic complexity.

• Orange Juice: Brings moisture and a subtle citrus tang.
• Milk: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a deep, warm flavor background.
• Melted Butter: Contributes richness and helps bind ingredients.
• Eggs: Bind the batter and provide structure.

• Dried Cranberries, Walnuts: Add texture, crunch, and bursts of flavor. Choose plump, fresh cranberries and crisp walnuts for best results.
• Coarse Sugar: Optional topping for extra crunch and sweetness.

How To Bake The Perfect Cranberry Walnut Bread

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab your trusty loaf pan and give it some love – grease it thoroughly and line it with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for your delicious bread.

Step 2: Create the Perfect Batter Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon

Whisk these together until they’re best friends.

• Fresh orange juice
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Melted butter
• Eggs

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently. The key is to mix just until everything is combined – no aggressive stirring allowed!

Step 3: Dress Up Your Bread

• Tart cranberries
• Crunchy walnuts

Transfer the batter to your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. For an extra touch of magic, sprinkle some coarse sugar and additional walnuts on top.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and let it bake for 50-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. After baking, let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Indulge and Share

Slice the bread while it’s still slightly warm. Spread with creamy butter, tangy cream cheese, or a drizzle of golden honey. This bread is perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or as a sweet gift for friends and family. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy within 3 days.

Pro Tip: The bread tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to mingle and develop!

Tips To Balance Tart, Sweet, And Crunch

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently to maintain a tender, soft texture. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense bread that lacks the delightful crumbly consistency.
• Customize Cranberry Choices: Swap fresh cranberries with dried ones for a more concentrated sweetness. Frozen cranberries work perfectly too – just fold them in without thawing to prevent color bleeding.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and nutty flavor. This simple swap enhances the bread's nutritional profile without compromising taste.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to preserve freshness. Stored in the freezer, it will maintain its delicious quality for up to 3 months.
• Adapt for Dietary Needs: Make this bread gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use coconut oil instead of butter.

How To Store Cranberry Walnut Bread Soft

• Keep your cranberry walnut bread fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Store the bread at room temperature in an airtight container for optimal taste and texture.
• Enjoy the bread within 3 days for the best flavor and softness.
• For longer storage, freeze the bread by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and then placing it in a freezer-safe bag.
• Frozen bread stays delicious for up to 2 months – simply thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Pro tip: Slice the bread before freezing for easier portioning and quick defrosting whenever a bread craving strikes!.

What Pairs Well With Cranberry Walnut Bread

• Brew a Cozy Companion: Pair this cranberry walnut bread with a warm cup of spiced chai tea, whose rich, aromatic blend of cinnamon and cardamom perfectly complements the bread's nutty and tart flavors.
• Spread Some Creamy Goodness: Enhance each slice with a generous spread of whipped maple cream cheese, creating a luxurious balance between the bread's tangy cranberries and the smooth, sweet frosting.
• Morning Sunrise Sip: Match the bread with freshly squeezed orange juice, echoing the citrusy notes from the recipe and providing a bright, refreshing contrast to the dense, hearty bread.
• Sweet Afternoon Indulgence: Serve alongside a light vanilla latte, whose creamy sweetness will beautifully highlight the bread's warmth and nutty undertones, making for a delightful midday treat.

Cranberry Walnut Bread With A Twist

• Citrus Berry Walnut Loaf: Replace orange juice with lemon or grapefruit juice, swap dried cranberries for fresh blueberries, and add lemon zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile that brings summer freshness to the classic bread.
• Chocolate Cranberry Nut Bread: Incorporate dark chocolate chips into the batter, use cocoa powder for a deeper color, and sprinkle dark chocolate shavings on top for an indulgent dessert-like breakfast bread that chocolate lovers will adore.
• Spiced Autumn Cranberry Bread: Enhance the cinnamon with ground nutmeg and ginger, use brown sugar instead of white, and mix in dried apple chunks to create a cozy, warming version perfect for fall gatherings and chilly mornings.
• Gluten-Free Nutty Cranberry Loaf: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, use almond flour for extra texture, and add a handful of pumpkin seeds alongside walnuts for a nutritious alternative that everyone can enjoy.

All FAQs On Cranberry Walnut Bread

• What makes this cranberry walnut bread special?

This bread combines the tartness of cranberries with the rich, nutty flavor of walnuts, creating a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The orange juice adds a subtle citrusy note that makes this bread truly unique and delicious.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have exactly what the recipe calls for?

You can swap fresh cranberries with dried cranberries if needed. For walnuts, pecans work great as an alternative. If you’re out of orange juice, you can use apple juice or even water with a little orange zest to maintain the citrus flavor.

• Is this bread good for breakfast or just a snack?

This cranberry walnut bread is incredibly versatile! It’s perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee, as an afternoon snack, or even as a light dessert. The combination of fruits and nuts makes it nutritious and satisfying any time of day.

• How can I make this bread healthier?

To boost nutrition, you can use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour, reduce the sugar slightly, or add some rolled oats to the batter. You can also use Greek yogurt in place of some of the milk to increase protein content.

Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Cranberry walnut bread emerges as a delightful winter comfort, blending tart berries with rich nutty crunch. Seasonal warmth fills each slice, inviting you to savor a perfect balance of sweet and rustic flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 ml) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup (118 ml) orange juice
• ¼ cup (59 ml) whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup (76 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs

Fruit and Nut Ingredients:

• 1 cup (150 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup (60 g) walnuts, chopped
• 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
• Extra chopped walnuts

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and preparing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and a light butter coating.
2. Create a dry ingredient base by whisking flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a spacious mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
3. Craft the liquid mixture separately by blending orange juice, milk, vanilla extract, melted butter, and eggs until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Merge the wet and dry ingredients using gentle folding techniques, ensuring minimal stirring to maintain a tender bread texture.
5. Introduce cranberries and chopped walnuts into the batter, distributing them evenly with delicate motions to prevent ingredient clustering.
6. Transfer the complete mixture into the prepared loaf pan, carefully smoothing the surface for uniform baking.
7. Optional: Garnish the top with a sprinkle of coarse sugar and additional walnut pieces for enhanced visual appeal and crunch.
8. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, monitoring for a golden-brown exterior and checking doneness with a clean toothpick test.
9. Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to prevent moisture accumulation.
10. Serve the bread warm, accompanied by butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey, and store any remaining slices in an airtight container for optimal freshness.

Notes

• Prevent tough bread by mixing wet and dry ingredients minimally, stopping just when combined to keep the texture light and tender.
• Swap out walnuts for pecans or almonds if desired, maintaining the same quantity for consistent texture and nutty flavor.
• Freeze extra slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 3 months, perfect for quick breakfast or snack options.
• Use fresh or frozen cranberries interchangeably, but pat frozen berries dry to prevent excess moisture from affecting the bread’s consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg