Cranberry Nut Bread

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This cranberry nut bread brings together the tartness of fresh cranberries with the crunch of walnuts, all wrapped in a moist, tender loaf. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast, snack or dessert with coffee, cranberry nut bread offers a little bit of holiday cheer in every bite. To make it a little sweeter and to bring out more citrusy flavor, drizzle it with the optional orange glaze before slicing and serving.

an overhead image of the Cranberry Nut Bread sliced on a cutting board
Credit:

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Sally McKay, Prop Stylist Hannah Greenwood

Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 35 mins
Servings:
16
  • The combination of cinnamon and orange brings holiday cheer to every bite.
  • Using whole-wheat flour adds more fiber and B vitamins, which support a healthy metabolism.
  • Avoid overmixing for tender, moist bread.

Cooler weather calls for warm and comforting quick breads, and our Cranberry Nut Bread is one you will want to bake and share with friends and family. The bread has a tender bite, and the cinnamon and orange with a pop of tart cranberry in every bite will leave you feeling like you hit the jackpot on flavor. Featuring less sugar than traditional recipes and fiber-rich whole-wheat flour, it has a wholesome, earthy flavor that brings out the aromatics of the spices and the cranberries. The walnuts add a nice crunch and build on the fiber in this bread—a win for your digestive health. Keep reading for our expert tips, including what to use if you can’t find fresh cranberries so you can make this any time of year. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • If you can’t find fresh cranberries, frozen cranberries work well. Coarsely chopping them ensures the taste of cranberry in every bite.
  • Do not overmix the batter; otherwise, your bread will be tough and dense. Gently fold the walnuts and cranberries into the batter to help avoid this.
  • If you have trouble releasing the bread from the loaf pan, run a butter knife or a rubber spatula around the edges.
  • For a deeper, nuttier flavor, toast the walnuts. To toast nuts, place in a small dry skillet over low heat; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.

Nutrition Notes

  • Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, which may help reduce the risk of developing urinary tract infections, and vitamin C, which can boost your immune health. 
  • Walnuts are a source of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that is beneficial for brain health. 
  • Whole-wheat flour has more fiber than what you’ll find in white flour, as well as a mix of B vitamins to support a healthy metabolism.
an image of the ingredients to make the Cranberry Nut Bread

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Sally McKay, Prop Stylist Hannah Greenwood

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 16 servings

Cranberry Nut Bread

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup whole-wheat flour

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 2 large eggs

  • ½ cup neutral oil, such as canola or avocado

  • ¼ cup whole milk

  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest

  • ½ cup orange juice

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup frozen or fresh whole cranberries, coarsely chopped

  • ½ cup chopped walnuts

Orange Glaze (optional)

  • cup unsifted confectioners' sugar

  • ½ teaspoon grated orange zest

  • teaspoons orange juice

Directions

  1. To prepare bread: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat an 8½-by-4½-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

  2. Whisk 1 cup each all-purpose flour and whole-wheat flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon each cinnamon and baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk 2 eggs, ½ cup oil, ¼ cup milk, 1 tablespoon orange zest, ½ cup orange juice and 1 tablespoon vanilla together in a large bowl until combined. Add the flour mixture to the oil mixture; fold until just combined, about 30 seconds (do not overmix). Gently fold in 1 cup cranberries and ½ cup walnuts until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

    an image of the batter to make Cranberry Nut bread being mixed

    Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Sally McKay, Prop Stylist Hannah Greenwood

  3. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour 5 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from the pan to the rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.

  4. To prepare glaze, if using: Whisk ⅓ cup confectioners’ sugar, ½ teaspoon orange zest and 2½ teaspoons orange juice together in a small bowl until combined. Drizzle over the cooled bread.

    the glaze being prepared for the Cranberry Nut Bread

    Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Sally McKay, Prop Stylist Hannah Greenwood

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How should I store Cranberry Nut Bread?

    The bread will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 3 months, which is great if you’re planning ahead for holiday potlucks.

  • How do I freeze Cranberry Nut Bread?

    After the bread has cooled down, wrap it tightly in foil and seal it in a freezer-safe bag. We enjoy having a slice now and then, so we cut the loaf, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and then wrap it tightly in foil. When we want a piece, we let it thaw at room temperature.

  • What pairs well with Cranberry Nut Bread?

    This bread pairs perfectly with warm and comforting beverages such as coffee or tea, or a mug of our Healthy Hot Chocolate or Slow-Cooker Hot Cider with Brandy.

EatingWell.com, November 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

193 Calories
10g Fat
23g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Serving Size 1 slice
Calories 193
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 10g
Added Sugars 9g 18%
Protein 3g 7%
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Vitamin A 13µg
Vitamin C 6mg 6%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 10%
Folate 27µg
Vitamin K 6µg
Sodium 108mg 5%
Calcium 36mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Magnesium 21mg 5%
Potassium 91mg 2%
Zinc 0mg 4%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.