Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

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At this time of year when we’re transitioning from fall recipes to winter confections, I love turning to gluten free cranberry orange quick bread to bridge the gap.

I’m never one to let go of pumpkin — the flavor, the color, the nutrition — there are really so many things to love about pumpkin. But the tart pop from gorgeous cranberries is something I look forward to in my recipes for months leading up to winter. Cranberries make it easier for me to let go of pumpkin.

This recipe post is a little different for a couple reasons: first, I’m giving you two recipe choices; second, I’ve invited a guest blogger to share her recipe here because it kicks cranberry bootie.

Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

Seriously, I’ve tried her gluten free cranberry orange bread recipe (multiple times) and it’s the best. The bomb. The bomb-diggity, as my kids have been known to say. Or maybe that was me; it’s hard to keep up with the cool phrases.

If you’re looking for a low-fat, oil-free pumpkin version of cranberry bread, I highly recommend you check out this recipe I created for e-how. You can find it by clicking on the video photo link below.

 

Jules video for ehow making gluten free cranberry pumpkin orange bread

If you’re looking for the best, bomb-diggity gluten free cranberry orange quick bread, allow me to introduce you to Karen, the blogger behind Healthy Gluten Free Family.

I saw this picture of her bread on Instagram and I literally (yes, I mean literally) dropped everything and went into my kitchen to make it myself. In fact, we were out of orange juice, so I literally (yes, I mean literally) juiced fresh oranges just so I could make this recipe immediately. And it didn’t disappoint.

Karen's Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
@HealthyGFfamily’s Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

Here’s Karen’s take on her soon-to-be-famous Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Quick Bread:

What’s your favorite holiday food? Of all the holiday food traditions my family has (and coming from a big Italian family there are many!), this Cranberry-Orange Quick Bread is my absolute favorite!  It makes its first appearance at our holiday table on Thanksgiving, then has a starring role as a Christmas morning treat. 

I’ve loved this bread since I was a child because it’s moist, not too sweet or tart, and has a slight orange flavor.  As a cook, I love that it’s made with recognizKaren's Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Quick Breadable ingredients and pantry staples, it’s low fat and it’s packed with goodness like chopped walnuts, orange zest and lots of fresh cranberries. As a bonus, the bread smells amazing when it’s baking and gives the house a festive feel!

Now for a shameless (and unsolicited!) plug about gfJules Gluten Free Flour: My son was diagnosed with celiac disease over six years ago and we’ve been loyal users of gfJules Flour ever since.  

 

gfJules Gluten Free All Purpose Flour is a blend that allows us to substitute one for one directly into any family recipe without any further thought.  Given the importance of food traditions in my family, it is truly a lifesaver!  

This Cranberry Bread recipe works so well with gfJules Flour the rest of the family says they do not notice any difference!

Gluten free cranberry orange bread

Are you ready to try this next-level gluten free cranberry orange quick bread? Aside from chopping the cranberries (and nuts if you’re using them), the recipe practically makes itself. Ok, well not actually, but that’s why it’s called a “quick bread.” 

There’s no yeast, so no rise time, you mix it up almost like cookie dough or cake batter, scoop it into the pan, smooth the top and let the oven do the rest.

gluten free cranberry orange bread batter

This batter is thick, so don’t be put off about that.

The cranberries add more moisture as they bake and make the perfect texture for this delicious quick bread.

gluten free cranberry bread in pan
Gluten Free Cranberry-Orange Quick Bread in Emile Henry fluted pan.

 

It’s done when the top resists a light touch, it’s browning nicely, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few wet crumbs. Be sure to test in a few spots so you’re not hitting a cranberry!

If you’re like my family, there’s no waiting around for this yummy bread to cool — you’re just gonna want to dive in.

gluten free cranberry orange quick bread on board with knife

 

Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

Yield: 1 large loaf
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour (we use gfJules Flour)
  • 1  cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 cup butter or vegan butter (we used Earth Balance®)
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 1 egg, well beaten
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped (may use frozen berries)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)
  • 1 Tbs. orange zest

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Whisk all dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles a coarse cornmeal (Jules note: or use paddle attachment on a stand mixer and mix just until butter forms small pebbles throughout).

In a separate bowl, combine orange juice, orange rind and egg (Jules note: fresh squeezed OJ is amazing, but not required). 

Pour all at once into dry ingredients, mixing just enough to dampen. Carefully fold in the nuts & cranberries.

Spoon into a lightly oiled or oiled and GF floured 9″ or 10″ loaf pan. Spread corners and sides slightly higher.

Bake for 1 hour. A knife should come out of the center cleanly. (Jules note: in my oven this loaf baked for 67 minutes; begin checking with a toothpick at 1 hour and remove when toothpick comes out with only crumbs attached and no wet batter.)

Remove to cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment (and maybe even a picture!) below or share a photo on Instagram! Be sure to tag me! @gfJules

 

You’re definitely going to want to double this recipe if you plan on sharing!

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gluten free cranberry orange quick bread |gfJules

Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

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  1. I was wondering I would need to change anything in my family recipe in order to make my cranberry quickbread gluten-free with Jules flour. Then I found this! It’s exactly the same recipe! I’m heading to the kitchen right now to make it. Can’t wait to taste the results.

    Reply
  2. This is really delicious! I am going to freeze cranberries now so I have them available all year, so I can make this delicious bread any time I want. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Wonderful thought – I do the same thing! I don’t think cranberries are only a winter treat, and I have been known to make this bread in the summer! 😉
      Enjoy!!!
      ~jules

      Reply
  3. This is as close to “real” as you can get. I don’t think my husband would have realized it was GF if I had let him have any! But this one is all for me… Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Hi Karen, so glad you’re loving this recipe too! I think it would be great as muffins (even easier to grab and go!). Bake them for 20 minutes and check for doneness at that point – they may need more time, but you don’t want to overbake them. Enjoy!
      ~jules

      Reply
    • Hi Patricia – it should, but honestly I haven’t tried it! We devour the loaf every time I make one! Let me know if you try freezing it!
      ~jules

      Reply
      • hi Jules. I need to make 3 breads 2 days before a function. Will the apple pecan, cranberry orange and banana breads dry out or will they be ok

        Reply
        • Hi Carol, if they’re well wrapped after cooling, they’ll still be yummy 2 days later. Good thinking to bake ahead!
          ~jules

          Reply
  4. I made this for a neighbor who’s GF and some for myself. My husband’s not GF, but I practically had to fight him for it. Delicious!

    Reply
    • Hahah – what a great result! So happy it turned out well and all could enjoy … sounds like you might have to make another loaf soon! 🙂
      ~jules

      Reply
  5. Cranberry orange quick bread was always my signature addition to holiday meals. Three years ago, it was the first thing I made with GFJules flour and I was hooked! Great recipe!

    Reply
  6. What can I use as a substitute for orange juice & zest? I’m allergic to oranges (though not to lemons & limes–go figure!) and must avoid them.

    Reply
  7. Yum! The oranges on my tree are just getting ripe and I have fresh cranberries I froze in my freezer at Thanksgiving (ever since we had a cranberry shortage and there were none left by Christmas, I always do this “just in case”!) AND I just got a shipment of Jules GF Flour! I know what I’m making this weekend!

    Reply
  8. Cranberry Orange Bread was my favorite before I was g f. Now I can enjoy again! I can’t wait to try it tomorrow. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Hi Cindy, I used fresh cranberries that I had frozen because it’s easier to process them into smaller pieces that way. I’m not familiar with bags of sweetened cranberries. You could probably use those and cut the sugar in the recipe.
      ~jules

      Reply
        • Hmmmm, good thought, Cheryl. Cindy, if you mean craisins, those are dried cranberries sweetened with orange and sugar. Those will offer a totally different texture in the bread which you may or may not like. I find it disconcerting to use dried berries like that in a soft quick bread, but some people like it. Hope that helps!
          ~jules

          Reply
    • Hi Diane, Karen said she greased her pan; I’ve tried it both ways — oiled and also oiled and floured — and either works just fine.
      ~jules

      Reply
  9. Your ingredients list says “1/2 chopped walnuts” & 2 ingredients down it says “1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)”. Please clarify.

    Reply
    • Hi Diane, that ingredient was just mistakenly listed twice; I’ve removed the first reference. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
      ~jules

      Reply
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