Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Day 10 of my Edible Christmas Gift Countdown
Some gifts whisper, and some walk in like Mariah Carey in December. This cranberry orange bread is the second kind. It’s bright, buttery, and just the right balance of sweet and tart.
Get the printable recipe at thestayathomechef.com/cranberry-orange-bread
⭐ Fresh orange zest + juice = real flavor, no fake extract here
⭐ Tart cranberries pop in every bite
🍊🍞🎁🍒🕯️🎄🫙🌟💌
INGREDIENTS:
▢1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
▢1 cup brown sugar
▢1/2 cup melted butter or vegetable oil
▢1/4 cup orange juice
▢1 large egg
▢1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢1/2 teaspoon orange extract
▢1/2 teaspoon salt
▢1/2 teaspoon baking soda
▢1/2 teaspoon baking powder
▢1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
▢1/2 cup craisins
▢2 tablespoons orange zest
Glaze (optional)
▢1/2 cup orange juice
▢1/4 cup granulated sugar
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and lightly grease one 8x4 inch loaf pan.
Zest and juice 1 large orange. Set aside
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon orange extract.
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder until just combined. Then add in 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and stir until everything is well incorporated. Fold in 1/2 cup craisins and 2 tablespoons orange zest.
Transfer to the prepared pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Just before the bread is done baking, whisk 1/2 cup orange juice together with 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, immediately remove from the heat.
Spoon glaze over loaf, in the pan, while hot. Let stand in the pan for 15 minutes before removing and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
STORAGE + GIFT TIP:
🫙 Wrap cooled loaf in parchment or wax paper, then tie with twine and a dried orange slice for peak holiday vibes.
⏳ Store at room temp for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
This one’s perfect for neighbor gifts, hostess thank-yous, or just slicing warm with a pat of butter and pretending it’s not chaos season.
Subscribe for more simple, stunning holiday recipes that make you the person everyone hopes draws their name.
#cranberryorangebread #holidaybaking #ediblegifts #quickbread #thestayathomechef
Day 10 of my Edible Christmas Gift Countdown
Some gifts whisper, and some walk in like Mariah Carey in December. This cranberry orange bread is the second kind. It’s bright, buttery, and just the right balance of sweet and tart.
Get the printable recipe at thestayathomechef.com/cranberry-orange-bread
⭐ Fresh orange zest + juice = real flavor, no fake extract here
⭐ Tart cranberries pop in every bite
🍊🍞🎁🍒🕯️🎄🫙🌟💌
INGREDIENTS:
▢1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
▢1 cup brown sugar
▢1/2 cup melted butter or vegetable oil
▢1/4 cup orange juice
▢1 large egg
▢1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢1/2 teaspoon orange extract
▢1/2 teaspoon salt
▢1/2 teaspoon baking soda
▢1/2 teaspoon baking powder
▢1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
▢1/2 cup craisins
▢2 tablespoons orange zest
Glaze (optional)
▢1/2 cup orange juice
▢1/4 cup granulated sugar
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and lightly grease one 8x4 inch loaf pan.
Zest and juice 1 large orange. Set aside
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon orange extract.
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder until just combined. Then add in 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and stir until everything is well incorporated. Fold in 1/2 cup craisins and 2 tablespoons orange zest.
Transfer to the prepared pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Just before the bread is done baking, whisk 1/2 cup orange juice together with 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, immediately remove from the heat.
Spoon glaze over loaf, in the pan, while hot. Let stand in the pan for 15 minutes before removing and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
STORAGE + GIFT TIP:
🫙 Wrap cooled loaf in parchment or wax paper, then tie with twine and a dried orange slice for peak holiday vibes.
⏳ Store at room temp for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
This one’s perfect for neighbor gifts, hostess thank-yous, or just slicing warm with a pat of butter and pretending it’s not chaos season.
Subscribe for more simple, stunning holiday recipes that make you the person everyone hopes draws their name.
#cranberryorangebread #holidaybaking #ediblegifts #quickbread #thestayathomechef
