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Fresh Orange Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 116 reviews

This Fresh Orange Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread infused with bright citrus notes from fresh orange zest and juice. Perfectly tender with a sweet orange glaze topping, it makes a delightful breakfast treat or afternoon snack. The loaf is simple to prepare using basic ingredients and baked to golden perfection in a conventional oven.

Ingredients

Scale

Orange Bread

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 whole large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons orange zest
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Orange Glaze (optional)

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350º F (175º C). Grease or line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking and set it aside while you prepare the batter.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 minutes. This step incorporates air, helping the bread rise and become tender.
  3. Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps to maintain an even texture throughout the batter.
  4. Mix in Orange Juice and Zest: Pour in the fresh orange juice and add the orange zest. Mix until everything is well combined to infuse the batter with fresh citrus flavor.
  5. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the flour disappears and all components are blended. The batter will be thick. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
  6. Bake the Bread: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. The bread is done when it springs back gently when touched and a toothpick or tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents sogginess from steam accumulating in the pan.
  8. Prepare and Apply Glaze (Optional): If desired, mix the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest together until smooth to make a glaze. Once the bread is fully cool, drizzle the glaze over the top for added sweetness and a shiny citrus finish.

Notes

  • For best orange flavor, use fresh, preferably organic oranges to zest and juice.
  • Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming with sugar.
  • Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to avoid a dense texture.
  • You can substitute orange zest and juice with lemon for a different citrus twist.
  • The glaze is optional but adds an attractive shine and extra sweetness.
  • This bread keeps well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.

Keywords: Orange bread, Citrus bread, Quick bread, Orange glaze, Breakfast bread, Snack bread

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/fresh-orange-bread-recipe/