This is my grandma’s prized cranberry bread recipe! Lightly flavored with orange, incredibly soft inside and studded with tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts, it’s definitely a keeper holiday treat.
Today’s recipe is one that’s very near and dear to my heart.
My grandma’s cranberry bread has been a staple recipe in my family for decades and I’m so excited to finally share the recipe with you all!
In my family we have a tradition of eating Grandma’s bread on Thanksgiving while we wait for the turkey to bake.
Grandma only makes it once a year for Thanksgiving so it’s extra special!
While we love enjoying this bread on Thanksgiving, it’s also MORE than worthy to make an appearance at any Christmas event!
The cranberries, orange, and nuts make it extra festive and so pretty!
This Cranberry Bread features…
- An incredibly soft and moist interior
- Tart cranberries in every bite
- Crunchy toasted walnuts
- Tons of orange flavor from juice, zest, and orange marmalade
Making the Cranberry Bread
(scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe!)
Quick Bread Batter
The batter follows basic quick bread procedure. Cream softened butter with sugar until completely combined then mix in marmalade, fresh orange juice, grated orange zest, an egg, plain yogurt, and buttermilk until smooth.
Combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until batter is just combined then gently fold in cranberries and chopped walnuts.
Bake the bread in a standard 9 inch loaf pan 55-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the bread completely on a wire cooling rack.
Tips and Tricks
- Use parchment paper to easily remove the bread from the pan
- Let batter stand in the pan 20 minutes before baking it. This helps activate the leaveners!
- Use freshly-squeezed orange juice for maximum orange flavor
- Toast the walnuts (or whatever nut you’re using) before adding them to the batter
- Cool the bread completely before slicing it – makes it much easier to slice!
Storing the Bread
Store bread sealed at room temperature up to 3 days (if it lasts that long!)
This bread may also be frozen up to 2 months. Make sure it’s cooled completely and sealed well before freezing.
Thaw bread and reheat for best results before serving.
I can’t take credit for this recipe because it comes straight from Grandma’s recipe box. But I will say that she was MORE than happy to share the recipe.
We’ve been enjoying this festive bread for MANY years now and I’m so excited to be able to share the incredible recipe with you all finally.
Start a new tradition this holiday season and give my Grandma’s recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
More quick breads that are more than worthy for your holiday table!
- Chai Spice Maple Pumpkin Bread
- Gingerbread Cheesecake Swirl Quick Bread
- Glazed Amaretto Peach Quick Bread
Grandma’s Cranberry Bread
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 cups fresh cranberries, halved
- 1 cup chopped nuts, toasted (optional, but we like walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9-in loaf pan OR line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with an electric beater, beat butter and sugar until completely smooth. Beat in marmalade, orange juice, zest, egg, yogurt, and buttermilk until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold flour mixture into liquid mixture until just combined. Fold in cranberries and chopped nuts if using.
- Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Garnish with additional nuts and cranberries if desired. Let batter stand 20 minutes in pan.
- Bake cranberry bread at 350F 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool bread completely in pan on a wire cooling rack before removing and slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was updated with minor adjustments and new photos 11/15/21.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I can only imagine how amazing your house must smell from the delicious food you’re making right now! Love that you are sharing your grandma’s cranberry bread! It looks gooorgeous with all those juicy cranberries! The orange zest and walnuts are the perfect addition! Hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving Sarah!
Sarah says
Thank you so much sweet lady! Happy Thanksgiving. 😀
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This bread looks perfect, Sarah! That is so nice that your Grandma shared this amazing recipe with you. Aren’t Grandmas the best? 🙂 I love how moist and full of flavor this looks. So perfect for this time of year. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, friend!
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Gayle! Totally agree that grandmas are the best! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to you too, lady!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Well this cranberry walnut bread look perfect! I love that it is your Grandma’s recipe. I bet it tastes like it’s packed full of love. Have the best Thanksgiving tomorrow friend!
Sarah says
Oh, I know it’s corny, but this bread is is totally stuffed fulla’ love! 😀 Thanks so much, Nat! Happy Thanksgiving.
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
Grandma’s cooking is always the best. I try to replicate my grandma’s recipes also and they never turn out the same. I do everything exactly as she does but the results are so different. Your grandma’s cranberry bread looks and sounds delightful. I believe you did a great job replicating her recipe and she will be proud! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Sarah says
Right?! Grandmas just make everything taste better. I rest my case. 🙂
Thank you so much, Jen! Hope you have an awesome Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Wonderful! looks so moist and flavorful. Thanks for sharing your grandma’s recipe with us Sarah! Happy Thanksgiving, have a wonderful day! 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Manali! Have the best Thanksgiving, friend!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
I can’t believe I’ve never let a quick bread batter sit in the pans before baking — I love finding new baking tips! This cranberry bread looks totally amazing! I still think you’re brave (or nuts!) for cooking for so many people — I’m sure it will be incredible!
Sarah says
It’s such a simple trick, but it really takes this bread to a whole ‘nother level of yum!
Haha! Thanks for the moral support, Ashley! I think I’m gonna need it. 😉
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
What a delicious looking loaf Sarah! I can just see how moist it is! I’d love to have this baking in my oven cause I’m sure it also smells amazing. Have an amazing Thanksgiving!
Sarah says
Ooh yeah, it totally makes your house smell like the holidays. Perfect. 😀
Thanks so much, Jessica! You have a great Thanksgiving too, lady!
Dorothy G, says
The cranberry loaf sounds delicious. Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh ones? If I let the dried cranberries soak in some warm water or warm tea before, do you think it will be OK? Thank you.
Sarah says
You could definitely use dried cranberries in this bread, Dorothy! It won’t be the same as using fresh cranberries, but it will still work.
Let me know how it turns out!
Lori says
Hi Sarah,
So here I am, up late putting the finishing touches on a few items for tomorrow and I find this amazing recipe. Go figure!! But it made me get to thinking about my mama’s cranberry orange nut bread. She’s gone now but her bread recipe is still kept safely tucked away. So I dug it out, only took me an hour to find it!! And now? Guess i am going to have to make me some bread:) There are some small differences in mama’s recipe but I really like the idea of marmalade and yogurt in your grandma’s recipe. And I don’t think my mama will mind a bit. In fact, I know she’s smiling down now and watching over me tonight. Mama always used 2 cups of cranberries and pecans instead of walnuts so I hope you won’t mind if I keep a few things true to her memory? But I will be saying thanks to you and your grandma, as well as Mama, when we enjoy this special treat tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your family memories with us. Best wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours-Lori
Sarah says
Lori, this comment totally made my day! I’m so glad to hear I was able to conjure up some family memories about your mother from this bread and I do hope you’ll let me know how it turns out! Happy Thanksgiving. 🙂
Joanne says
I suspect I’m going to have cranberries leftover when cranberry sauce making is through (perhaps because i over-bought like a madwoman, but whatever). I see some of this cranberry bread in my future!
Sarah says
I’m right there with ‘ya on the whole buying-out-my-grocery-store-of-cranberries thing, Joanne! LOL. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. 🙂
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
This bread looks incredible and I love all the tips from your grandma that you give throughout the recipe!! Happy Thanksgiving Sarah!! 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Renee! Hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving, lady!
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
Grandma’s recipes are the best!! Love that you are sharing your grandma’s cranberry quick bread with us – it looks delicious! Happy Thanksgiving girl!! Can’t wait to hear how your dinner turns out!! Pinned 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Ceara! Grandmas recipes are totally the best. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, girly! 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I love family recipes like this and reading about the stories behind them.Thanks for the great post, recipe and read Sarah!
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Thaila!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
Wow! This cake looks fantabulous!! I love the flavours so so much.. And the best part is i have all the ingredients at home so i will be whipping it up today itself.. Yay!!
Sarah says
Thanks Arpita! I hope you enjoy this bread! 🙂
Isadora says
I hope you had an awesome Thanmksgiing Sarah!! And I hope that even though you had 20 people you still got some leftovers!! I love that this is your grandma’s recipe, that is so nice! It really does look so moist and I love that it is loaded with cranberries and walnuts! Also, orange and cranberry is one of my fav combos!!
Sarah says
Hahaha! We ended up with plenty of leftovers so yay! 😉 I think you would really love this bread, Izzy! You definitely need to give it a go. 😀
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
I love baking with cranberries! Looks delicious!
Sarah says
My favorite! Thanks Amber! 😉