cranberry and orange bread with simple

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
• Zest of 1 large orange
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 2 large oranges)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted unsalted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Glaze (for added sweetness):

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the chopped cranberries and orange zest to the dry ingredients. Toss them lightly to coat the cranberries with flour, which helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the bread during baking.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the freshly squeezed orange juice, vegetable oil (or melted butter), egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold them together until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
8. If you’d like to add a glaze for extra sweetness, whisk together the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread.
9. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once the bread has cooled, slice it and serve. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even as a dessert!

Note: If you prefer a less sweet bread, you can reduce the amount of granulated sugar or omit the glaze altogether. The tartness of the cranberries and the citrus flavor from the orange zest and juice provide a wonderful balance of flavors on their own.