Dessert

Barefoot Contessa Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

Bylina Carter November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

Introduction

This Cranberry Orange Bread from Barefoot Contessa is a perfect balance of tart cranberries and bright citrus flavor. It’s moist, easy to make, and ideal for breakfast or a sweet snack. You’ll love its fresh taste and tender crumb.

Two slices of golden-brown cranberry bread with a slightly rough texture sit on a white plate. The bread has a soft yellow interior dotted with whole red cranberries, showing through the light crumb. There are a few crumbs on the plate, and a whole cranberry lies beside the slices. In the background, part of the remaining loaf is visible with a shiny, darker golden crust. All this is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt
1 cup sugar

1 tbsp orange zest
¾ cup orange juice

¼ cup melted butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

1½ cups cranberries
Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.

Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and orange zest until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the orange juice, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently.
Step 4: Fold the cranberries into the batter carefully to distribute them evenly without breaking.

Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Let the bread cool completely before removing it from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, then slice and serve.

Tips & Variations

For a nuttier texture, add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter along with the cranberries.

Use fresh or frozen cranberries; if frozen, no need to thaw beforehand.
Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a warm spice note.
Serve toasted with a smear of butter for a delicious breakfast treat.

Storage

Store the cranberry orange bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days. It can also be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a sliced yellow cake loaf with scattered bright red berries inside the soft, moist crumb. The cake has a golden brown crust with a slightly cracked top sprinkled with powdered sugar. Two thick slices are partially cut and lie next to the main loaf on a clean white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. The texture shows a light and fluffy interior with bursts of red fruit throughout. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can substitute dried cranberries, but reduce the sugar slightly since dried fruit is sweeter. Soak them briefly in orange juice for extra moisture if desired.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum for best results. Baking time may vary slightly, so check doneness with a toothpick.