This vegan orange cranberry bread combines fresh cranberries, zesty orange flavor, and warming spices to create the perfect holiday quick bread. Oil-free, dairy-free, and egg-free.
The holidays are my favorite time of year for baking, and this vegan cranberry orange bread has become our Christmas morning tradition.
There’s something magical about the way it fills my kitchen with the most incredible aroma - sweet oranges mingling with tart cranberries as the bread turns golden brown in the oven.
This sweet bread is so special because it strikes the perfect balance between tart flavors and natural sweetness. Made with fresh orange juice, fresh orange zest, and a bag of cranberries, it’s a great addition to any holiday breakfast or brunch.
During this time of year, the grocery store is stocked with fresh cranberries, making it the ideal moment to create this festive quick bread.
Using simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, plus those seasonal fresh oranges and cranberries, you’ll create a moist, flavorful bread that proves the best vegan cranberry recipes don’t need eggs or dairy to be delicious.
And, if you’re looking for more holiday favorites, check out this amazing Vegan Lemon Loaf or my holiday Peanut Butter Cookies that pair perfectly with a warm cup of coffee.
In This Post
- Why you’ll love this vegan orange cranberry loaf
- Ingredients you need
- How To Make Orange Cranberry Bread
- Useful Tools
- Recipe substitution and tips
- What’s the best way to store orange cranberry bread?
- Recipe variations
- Pro tips for vegan orange cranberry bread
- Frequently asked questions
- Orange Cranberry Bread
- 💬 Community
Why you’ll love this vegan orange cranberry loaf
This vegan orange cranberry bread isn’t just another quick bread recipe – it’s a holiday showstopper that’s surprisingly simple to make using basic pantry ingredients.
You’ll appreciate how easily it comes together for holiday gatherings, while your guests will love the boost of vitamin C from fresh oranges and cranberries.
Whether you’re serving it for breakfast or as part of your holiday brunch spread, this versatile bread can be customized to your taste preferences.
Ingredients you need
This orange cranberry bread requires simple ingredients plus fresh cranberries and oranges to create a moist, flavorful, quick bread.
Dry Ingredients
- organic unbleached all-purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- cardamom
- ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- unsweetened applesauce
- orange juice (four oranges will yield 1 cup of juice)
- organic cane sugar (yes, sugar is considered a wet ingredient in baking)
- pure vanilla extract
- fresh cranberries (plus more for topping if desired)
- orange zest
Note: You can find the complete recipe with measurements on the recipe card below.
How To Make Orange Cranberry Bread
Creating this festive bread is as simple as mixing your wet and dry ingredients separately, combining them gently, and letting your oven do the rest.
- Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350˚F. Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients until well combined.
- Combine all wet ingredients except cranberries and orange zest in a large bowl and whisk until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Gently fold in the cranberries and orange zest.
- Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan, top with additional cranberries if desired, and bake for 50-55 minutes until golden brown.
- Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Useful Tools
Having the right kitchen equipment makes baking this orange cranberry bread a breeze – here are the essential items you’ll need:
- Loaf pan: A standard 9×5 loaf pan lined with parchment paper ensures your bread comes out easily and bakes evenly
- Microplane zester: helps extract the most flavor from your orange zest without any bitter pith
- Food processor or sharp knife: great for chopping fresh cranberries to your desired size
- Cooling rack: prevents condensation from making the bottom of your bread soggy
Recipe substitution and tips
Flour options
- Whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor
- Gluten-free flour blend (1:1 ratio) for gluten-free needs
- Spelt flour for added nutrition
- Oat flour for a different texture (may need to adjust liquid ratio)
Sweetener alternatives
- Maple syrup (reduce other liquids slightly)
- Coconut sugar for a lower glycemic option
- Brown sugar for a more caramel-like flavor
Milk options
- Any non-dairy milk can replace orange juice for a creamier texture
- Try almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk
- Cashew milk for extra richness
What’s the best way to store orange cranberry bread?
- Keep your vegan orange cranberry bread fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. If freezing, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container.
Recipe variations
- Add a sweet orange glaze by mixing powdered sugar with fresh orange juice
- Toss in a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.
- Include dried cranberries along with fresh ones for varied texture
- Fold in chopped nuts for added crunch
- Add orange-flavored coconut milk for extra richness
Pro tips for vegan orange cranberry bread
If you’re going to make this recipe, make sure to follow these top tips!
- Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing
- Don’t overmix the batter – this ensures a tender crumb
- Fresh orange zest makes a significant difference in flavor
- Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing
Frequently asked questions
No! I’ve tried, and it adds more moisture to the batter as it melts, and the bread usually doesn’t cook all the way through.
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add one teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it.
Yes! Try mashed banana, a flax egg, or vegan sour cream as alternatives.
Yes! But I prefer fresh cranberries because I like the tartness.
This vegan orange cranberry bread is more than just a recipe – it’s a perfect holiday treat that combines the season’s best flavors.
Whether serving it on Christmas morning or enjoying it with your afternoon cup of coffee, this bread will be a great addition to the holiday tradition in your home.
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Orange Cranberry Bread
The moist and tender Orange Cranberry loaf is a delicious fusion of tart cranberries, orange zest, warming spices, and a perfect balance of sweetness. With its vibrant flavors and eye-catching crimson hues, this recipe is a delightful addition to any brunch table or afternoon table. Each bite is a burst of juicy cranberries and citrus, guaranteed to have you craving more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Holiday, Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups of organic unbleached all-purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon of cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon of ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup organic cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, pulse more for topping if desired (may use frozen)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- Put an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Mix all wet ingredients, except cranberries and orange zest, together in a mixing bowl. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the cranberries and orange zest and stir a couple of times. DON’T OVERMIX!
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, drop more cranberries on top, and bake on the center race for 50-55 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool before slicing.
Notes
Keep your vegan orange cranberry bread fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
DO NOT use frozen cranberries. They’ll make the bread mushy as it cooks and that’s not good.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. If freezing, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 153
- Sugar: 13.6 g
- Sodium: 123.9 mg
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34.8 g
- Fiber: 5.1 g
- Protein: 3.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
This is the second time I baked it and it is so good.
If you are looking for a recipe with the classic flavors of Christmas, this is it. Absolutely delicious. The balance of spice and tartness from the cranberries is perfect.
Shane is love is absolutely delicious! Taking it for Thanksgiving this year. I was worried the cranberries would be too tart for me in the bread, but it is absolutely perfect. If you see this comment, my only question is do I have to freeze slices individually, or can I freeze the whole loaf if I’m making an extra one?
Dear Shane, you’re a genius. And so is this cranberry bread. Just awesome!
I made this the day Shane dropped the recipe and it’s wonderful!
Thank you!
It’s perfect! Great tang from the cranberries, lovely orange flavor. We loved it!
This was so good. I will definitely be making it over and over. I think it has the perfect blend of sweet and tart that I have been looking for.
Fantastic! Very festive and everyone loved it!
Excellent!
. I added along with the cranberries, zest of limes and lemon and some crushed pistachios and a teaspoon of dried parsley for the festive effect. Don’t knock it till you try it. I walk an off the trail path sometimes Shane. I will readily admit all of Shane’s recipes are primo and this one is no exception. Thank you Shane again well done.
The moist and tender Orange Cranberry loaf is a delicious fusion of tart cranberries, orange zest, warming spices, and a perfect balance of sweetness. With its vibrant flavors and eye-catching crimson hues, this recipe is a delightful addition to any brunch table or afternoon table. Each bite is a burst of juicy cranberries and citrus, guaranteed to have you craving more.