This cranberry orange bread is a bread machine quick bread made with fresh orange, tart cranberries, and walnuts or pecans. It uses the Cake or Quick Bread cycle rather than yeast, producing a moist loaf that slices cleanly after cooling.
Equipment note: These recipes were developed in a standard bread machine with a 1½- to 2-pound loaf capacity. This is the type of bread machine I use (paid link) and recommend for dependable mixing, kneading, rising, and baking.
Bread Machine Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread
A bread machine cranberry orange quick bread made with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and walnuts or pecans. Designed for the Cake or Quick Bread cycle, not a yeast bread cycle.
Ingredients
Liquid Base
- Juice and grated zest of 1 medium orange
- Water as needed to bring total liquid to 3/4 cup
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or neutral oil
- 1 large egg beaten
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Mix-Ins
- 1 cup fresh cranberries whole or halved
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Combine the orange juice and zest with enough water to measure 3/4 cup total liquid. Stir in the melted butter or oil, then whisk in the beaten egg.
- Add the orange liquid mixture to the bottom of the bread pan. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt on top. Do not stir.
- Select the Cake or Quick Bread cycle and begin.
- At the mix beep, add the cranberries and walnuts or pecans. If your machine does not signal, add them once the initial mixing has begun.
- Allow the cycle to finish fully. Cool the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it to a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Do not use yeast or a standard bread cycle for this recipe.
- Whole cranberries give the bread a more pronounced tartness and fuller texture.
- Pecans create a slightly softer finish; walnuts give more structure and contrast.
- Additional orange zest may be added for a brighter citrus profile.
- The bread keeps well for several days and improves slightly after resting overnight.
- Optional: add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for a rounder flavor.
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