Whole Grain Orange Cranberry Bread
Baked Goods, Breakfast & Brunch, Dietary, Fall, Freezer Friendly, Holiday, MAIN DISHES, Make ahead, Nut Free, PREP, Recipes, Seasonal, Snacks, Vegetarian, Winter / / 12 COMMENTS

Have your house smell like the holiday season when you bake this Whole Grain Orange Cranberry Bread. Bake loaves as holiday gifts that your friends and family will love and they won’t even know it’s lightened up!

Orange cranberry bread on a white serving tray next to an orange half


I absolutely love baking during this time of year. Many gifts I like to give come in the form of food. When I was younger, I used to help my mom bake mini quickbreads to give to our neighbors, teachers, mailman, etc. to spread the holiday cheer. They were always wrapped with a nice bow and a little note attached. Everyone likes a homemade treat to enjoy during the hectic holiday season.


I’ve been playing around with using different types of flours in my baking recipes lately. I have not yet mastered understanding gluten free flours yet (I’m talking to you coconut flour – you dry crumbly mess!), but I am getting better with other whole grain flours.


Do you love baking as much as I do? I try to incorporate more whole grains vs. refined grains into my daily diet and during the holiday season, I do love baking, so why not add some whole grains here too!

The orange-cranberry combo is such a classic and always reminds me of the holiday season. While the holiday season may bring some indulgences with it, you still can make recipes taste indulgent with a healthy twist like this whole grain orange cranberry bread, by switching to whole grains, trimming back on sugar, and adding wholesome fruit.

top shot of healthy cranberry bread next to cranberries and an orange

What is White Whole Wheat Flour?

The look of this recipe may be deceiving when I tell you I used a whole wheat flour. Hmmm.. shouldn’t it be browner? Enter – White WholeWheat Flour. Sounds like a contradiction, right?

White wheat is a different type of wheat that has no major genes for bran color (unlike traditional “red” wheat which has one to three bran color genes). An easy way to think of it is as a sort of albino wheat. The bran of white wheat is not only lighter in color but it’s also milder in flavor, making whole white wheat more appealing to many people accustomed to the taste of refined flour.

The term “white flour” has often been used to mean “refined flour,” so “whole white wheat flour” sounds like a contradiction in terms. But it is simply WHOLE flour – including the bran, germ and endosperm – made from WHITE wheat. – source, Oldways

White whole wheat flour is a whole grain and a much easier solution to add in whole grains into your favorite baking recipes without compromising appearance, taste, and texture.

I’ve noticed in baking white whole wheat flour is not as dense as a regular whole wheat flour, but more of the perfect balance in between of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour.

healthy cranberry quick bread sliced and ready to serve

Ingredients Needed For Healthy Cranberry Bread

white whole wheat flour

sugar

 salt

 baking powder

 baking soda

Oranges – these are going to be juiced and zested, so skip the store bought

 milk – you can use dairy or plant based, your choice!

Greek yogurt

 eggs

 vanilla extract

cranberries

For the glaze:

orange juice

powdered sugar

two slices of whole grain cranberry bread on a small plate next to the loaf

How To Make Whole Grain Cranberry Orange Bread 

Prep your loaf pan by spraying with non-stick spray or use parchment paper and preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

In a medium-size mixing bowl sift together the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. 

Using an electric mixer (hand or stand) combine the orange juice, milk, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract. 

Once it’s smooth, add the dry ingredients into the wet and continue mixing.

Fold in the cranberries. 

Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. This should take about 35 to 40 minutes. 

Once the cranberry bread has finished baking, allow it to cool on a baking rack while you make the glaze. 

Whisk together the sifted powdered sugar and orange juice. Then drizzle on top! You want to be sure the loaf has cooled some or else the glaze will just run off. 

Can I Use Frozen Cranberries?

While fresh cranberries have the best flavor, you can use frozen if that’s what you have. Be sure they are thawed completely before using and try to remove as much excess water as you can.

Health Benefits of Cranberries:

Cranberries naturally contain the flavonoid, proanthocyanidin (PAC) and other polyphenols that have potential health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease. Plus, just one cup of fresh cranberries contain 5.1 grams of fiber, 94 mg of potassium, and over 20% of the Daily Value for vitamin C. Nutrition information provided by the Cranberry Institute

Orange Cranberry Bread via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen #wholegrain #orange #cranberry #bread #quickbread #loaf #baking #seasonal #healthy #bakedgoods #holiday #healthyholiday


I caught myself cutting off a piece here and there every time I walked through the kitchen. Get ready friends and family, this Whole Grain Orange Cranberry Bread is going to be delivered to you with a ribbon and a special note from me this holiday season!

Print
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whole grain orange cranberry bread sliced on a white platter

Whole Grain Orange Cranberry Bread

  • Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
  • Yield: 812 1x
  • Category: quickbread, holiday

Description

Have your house smell like the holiday season when you bake this Whole Grain Orange Cranberry Bread. Bake loaves as holiday gifts that your friends and family will love and they won’t even know it’s lightened up!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups white whole wheat flour
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 2 oranges, juiced and zest (reserving 1 tbsp juice)
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups fresh cranberries, chopped
  • For the glaze:
  • 1 tbsp reserved orange juice
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray, set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together white whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
  3. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together orange juice, milk, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients slowly, until just combined. Fold in cranberries.
  4. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center, comes out clean.
  5. Let cool on a rack. Meanwhile whisk together the reserved orange juice and powdered sugar. Drizzle on top of the loaf. Slice and enjoy!

Keywords: quickbread, holiday, orange cranberry

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
Chef Julie Harrington, RD - Culinary Nutrition Consultant of chefjulierd.com

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Healthy cranberry loaf bread next to cranberries and orange half with text overlay
 

Comment

12 thoughts on “Whole Grain Orange Cranberry Bread

  1. Such a classic flavor combo that I adore! This bread is gorgeous, I just want to take a bite! I am also tackling the frustration that is coconut flour…grrrr.

  2. The combo of orange and cranberry sounds so refreshing this time of year! And I love the use of white whole wheat flour (one of my secret weapons, too 😉 ).

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