One-Bowl Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread
Last updated on June 26th, 2026
*This recipe has been updated since first published January 13, 2021.
This Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread is a super easy bake made with lots of better-for-you ingredients. And those bright and zesty citrus notes? So. Very. Good.
The holidays are upon us, and this loaf will fit nicely into your holiday meal planning. It’s made in one bowl, super quick to mix up and features pantry staples like tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, fresh orange, dark brown sugar and a little honey.
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this One-Bowl Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¼ cup (60 grams) butter, melted and cooled (sub dairy free)
- ½ cup (115 grams) dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons (42 grams) honey
- ¾ cup (170 grams) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon (6 grams) freshly grated orange zest
- 2 cups (260 grams) bread or all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons (8 grams) baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (3 grams) baking soda
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 cup (100 grams) fresh cranberries (see note on substitutions below)
- ½ cup (65 grams) chopped walnuts
Much like my favourite nutrient-rich walnuts, cranberries are considered a superfood due to their high nutrient and antioxidant content. This healthier take on a seasonal favourite features both.
Variations and substitutions
🍊 The orange flavour explosion
To get the most intense, vibrant citrus aroma throughout your entire loaf, use your fingertips to rub the fresh orange zest directly into your dark brown sugar right before mixing!
The abrasive sugar crystals act like a natural grater, bruising the zest to release the fragrant essential citrus oils trapped inside the peel.
This simple 30-second trick elevates the flavour profile from a standard quick bread to a true bakery-quality masterpiece.
A cranberry orange walnut loaf made with all-purpose flour.
Studded with cranberries and walnuts and flavoured with orange, this One-Bowl Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread is a holiday must-have. Serve it warm or toasted with lots of butter and honey for a delicious breakfast, dessert or late-night snack. Perfect with a cup of hot coffee or tea, it makes a great holiday gift, too!
Try this No-Knead Cranberry Walnut Artisan Bread or this One-Bowl Maple Pecan Banana Bread next.
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One-Bowl Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread
Ingredients
- 1 large egg room temperature
- ¼ cup butter, melted and cooled sub dairy free
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¾ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
- 2 cups bread or all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped see note on substitutions below
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC) and prepare parchment-lined 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg, butter, sugar, honey, orange juice and zest.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and stir together until well combined. Add cranberries and walnuts and continue to stir just until distributed throughout.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, smoothing it out into the corners if needed.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes until lightly browned and a tester comes out dry. Let bread cool in the loaf pan for exactly 10 minutes, then gently lift it out and place it directly onto a wire cooling rack to let air circulate completely around the bread.
