Perfectly soft, chewy and studded with crunchy walnuts and a touch of orange flavor, this yeast orange walnut bread is a loaf of pure sunshine!
Sunshine in a loaf is the understatement of the year! This loaf is closer to being the actual entire sun.
We’re shaking things up a bit today and throwing a sweet yeast bread into the party. While I love a savory bread loaf any day, I’ve got to say there’s nothing quite like waking up to a slice or 10 of this sweet breakfast gold.
Orange and walnuts make quite the duo in this bread and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better way to start the day.
A few weeks back, Red Star Yeast contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in doing a sponsored recipe post for them with this bread. Obviously, I jumped at the opportunity because I ADORE baking with Red Star Yeast and refuse to bake with any other brand simply because they are the best.
The way I see it is that baking with yeast is a delicate thing so why put the life of your bread game up to chance? Red Star Yeast will never let you down and you’ll always get stellar results like you see below.
This Yeast Bread features…
- A soft interior and golden, crusty outside
- Crunchy walnuts studded through and sweet orange flavor
- An easy dough that comes together in minutes with instructions for both stand mixer and by-hand
Making the Yeast Bread
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Bread flour
- Red Star active dry yeast
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Water
- Vegetable oil
- Orange marmalade
- Whole wheat flour
- Walnuts
- Egg white
- Oats
Stand Mixer vs. Mixing Bowl
Both a stand mixer and a mixing bowl + wooden spoon will work for mixing this bread. Obviously, by hand requires a little more physical effort, but it is definitely doable!
If you go the stand mixer route, make sure you use the dough hook for mixing and let the machine knead the dough on medium speed 5-7 minutes until the dough is stretchy and elastic.
If you are making the dough by hand, use a large bowl and a wooden spoon for mixing the dough. For kneading, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead about 10 minutes or whenever the dough is stretchy and elastic.
Tips for Perfect Yeast Bread
- Measure flour correctly – I use the spoon-and-level technique for measuring flour as this will prevent over-measuring your flour. Use a spoon to scoop flour into the measuring cup, then level with the back of a knife.
- Knead dough properly – this step is where you develop the gluten in the dough which is crucial for forming the structure of the rolls. You can knead by hand or use your stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.
- Let dough rise in a warm place – yeast dough loves warm environments for rising. I recommend 75F-80F for a rising environment in your kitchen.
- Brush loaf with egg wash before baking – this will help promote browning while the bread bakes.
- Temp bread to determine doneness – I recommend using a kitchen thermometer to test the bread for doneness. The bread is done once it reaches 190F.
- Allow bread to cool before slicing – make sure you let the bread cool fully before slicing for uniform slices that maintain their structure.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this bread.
- Use another nut – try using pecans in place of the walnuts.
- Try a different fruit flavor – replace the orange marmalade with apricot or peach jam.
Storing and Freezing Bread
This bread stores well in an airtight container or sealed bag at room temperature up to 4 days. For best results, I recommend toasting individual slices and serving them with a few slathers of butter and orange marmalade.
To freeze bread, allow to cool completely, store in a sealable bag, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw bread on countertop and toast individual slices for serving.
This bread is amazing just on it’s own, warm from the oven, but let me tell you that it’s the BEST toasted with some butter and extra marmalade slathered on top.
You won’t be able to have just one slice though, I guarantee it. Better have 3 just to be on the safe side.
Run-don’t-walk over to Red Star Yeast for the recipe!
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
More yeast breads to bake up next!
This post was sponsored by Red Star Yeast and I have been compensated, however all opinions are 100% my own.
This post was updated with new photos on 8/14/25.
Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating says
Mmm….I love quick breads like this! I have never made an orange version. What a great breakfast!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! This bread has quickly become my fav breakfasts. 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I am obsessed with eating warm bread out of the oven too, Sarah! And after the bread has cooled, I always pop it back into the microwave. I absolutely love the flavors in this bread! I’ve never tried an orange kind before, but it looks amazing. Definitely pinning for the future!
Sarah says
Warm bread is the BEST, isn’t it, Gayle?! You just can’t beat it. 😉 Thanks for pinning, girl!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
This orange walnut bread sounds delicious! I love red star yeast too. So reliable! Bread rises perfectly every time. Love all the orange marmalade you put on this. Yum!
Sarah says
Thanks, Natalie! And yes! Isn’t RSY the best?!
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
Love orange and nuts together. This looks delicious!
Sarah says
They’re the best combo ever! 😉 Thanks Sherri!
Lindsay says
If I don’t have marmalade, can I use any jam?
Sarah says
You probably could, however, the flavor of the bread would definitely be different. 🙂
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Ahhh this bread looks ah-mazing! I, too, have a problem limiting myself to half the loaf. If my husband is home, it will usually curb my frantic eating of the entire loaf just from the shame! Not that he actually cares…this is a judgement free zone! Plus it’s totally genetic. Just saying.
Pinned! I CANNOT wait to try this bread!
Sarah says
Hahaha totally loving that “judgement free zone” thing you got going on there, Lindsey! I need one of those. My family always gives me dirty looks when I eat the last few pieces of this bread. LOL! Thanks for pinning, girl! 😉
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
haha! Oh I didn’t say I didn’t get dirty looks if I don’t share the last piece…that’s sacred! 🙂
Danielle says
Love the combination of orange and walnut in this bread. I don’t blame you for eating most of it, I totally would have too!
Sarah says
Thanks, Danielle!
Annie @Maebells says
I really love sweet breads! All kinds! I love the idea of orange walnut sounds fantastic!
Sarah says
Thanks, Annie! And sweet breads are the best! 😉
Joanne says
Who could resist homemade bread?! Only a serial killer. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
You can just save a HUMUNGO slice of this for me. K thanks.
Sarah says
Hahaha! Hmm I donno….I think even a serial killer could turn weak in the knees over fresh bread. LOL. 😀
Kelly says
I am a sucker for warm homemade bread! Yours looks amazing! Love the combination of orange and walnut – it wouldn’t last long around here that’s for sure 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks you Kelly! And this bread doesn’t even last the day in this house! 🙂
Isadora says
I’m so impressed that you make your own bread!! For some reason it seems complicated and like a huge feat to me. I think I gotta get into the kitchen and start baking bread though, because there isn’t much that sounds better than warm baked bread!
Sarah says
I used to be so scared to make homemade bread too, Izzy! but I promise that practice definitely makes perfect. You’ll get the hang of it in no time and then you’ll wonder why you ever waited so long to try it! 🙂 And I agree—NOTHING beats warm, homemade bread!
Carla says
Hi Sarah, found you via Maebells! I also LOVE bread as soon as it comes out of the oven! Whole grain with butter…yum. My favorite is Banana Bread. I eat the top 😉 as soon as it comes outta the oven…so good. Can’t wait to try this one! Oh, and gonna make the Almond Joy Granola as we’ll!
Sarah says
You’ll have to let me know how this bread and the granola turns out for you, Carla! Thanks for stopping by, friend! 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Homemade bread is the best! Love the combination of orange and walnut. I’d eat piece after piece too 🙂
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas says
Visiting from Show Stopper Saturday link party. This bread sounds delicious, I love the sound of orange and walnuts together. I co-host Sweet and Savoury Sunday and would love for you to stop by and share this and other recipes with us when the party goes live tomorrow. Have a great day!
Sarah says
Thanks for the invite, Laura! I’ll hop over there right now to link up. 🙂
Julia says
Your orange walnut bread looks irresistibly good! I’m off to peek at the recipe…Now I’ve seen that the magic ingredient is marmalade I will have to try it!
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Julia! You’ll have to let me know how this bread turns out for you! 🙂