Nothing fills your kitchen with warmth and sunshine quite like the aroma of freshly baked Orange Bread Recipe wafting through your home. This delightful orange bread recipe combines the bright, zesty flavors of fresh oranges with a tender, moist crumb that melts in your mouth with every bite. Whether you're hosting a weekend brunch, preparing a special breakfast treat, or simply craving something sweet and citrusy, this orange bread delivers incredible flavor that will have your family and friends asking for seconds.
The beauty of this orange bread lies in its simplicity and versatility, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers alike. With just a handful of pantry staples and fresh oranges, you can create a bakery-quality orange bread recipe that rivals any store-bought version. The natural oils from orange zest combined with fresh orange juice create layers of citrus flavor that permeate every slice, while our special technique ensures a perfectly moist texture that stays fresh for days.
Why This Orange Bread Recipe Stands Out
This exceptional orange bread recipe has been perfected through countless kitchen experiments and family taste tests to deliver the ultimate citrus experience. Unlike traditional quick breads that can sometimes turn out dense or dry, our method incorporates specific techniques that guarantee a light, fluffy texture while maximizing the bright orange flavor profile. The secret lies in balancing fresh orange juice with the right amount of oil and eggs, creating a tender crumb that practically melts on your tongue. This orange bread recipe also features a beautiful golden color that comes naturally from the orange ingredients, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
What truly sets this orange bread recipe apart from other citrus recipes is the careful attention to ingredient ratios and mixing techniques that prevent common baking pitfalls. Many orange bread recipes suffer from being either too dense, lacking in citrus flavor, or having an uneven texture. Our approach addresses these issues by incorporating both orange zest and fresh juice, using the proper creaming method, and including specific tips for achieving bakery-quality results every single time. The result is a moist, flavorful orange bread that stays fresh longer and delivers consistent results whether you're baking at sea level or high altitude.
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Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Large eggs
- Fresh orange juice
- Orange zest
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
- Vegetable oil
- Powdered sugar (for glaze)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare and Mix Dry Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients
- Set aside while preparing wet ingredients
Combine Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy
- Add melted butter, fresh orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, and milk
- Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and smooth
- Pour wet mixture into the well of dry ingredients
Bake and Finish
- Gently fold ingredients together until just combined (don't overmix)
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack
- Prepare orange glaze and drizzle over cooled bread
- Dry Ingredients: Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Wet Ingredients: Whisk all wet ingredients until smooth.
- Bake & Finish: Pour batter and bake until golden.
Equipment For Orange Bread Recipe
- 9x5 inch loaf pan
- Large mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fine-mesh grater for orange zest
- Wire cooling rack
- Rubber spatula for folding
Expert Cooking Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and texture
- Don't overmix the batter to avoid tough, dense orange bread
- Test doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center
- Zest oranges before juicing for easier handling
- Line loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal
- Let bread cool completely before slicing for clean cuts
- Store covered to maintain moisture
Recipe Variations
- Add dried cranberries or chopped walnuts for extra texture
- Substitute half the orange juice with lemon juice for orange bread with citrus blend
- Include chocolate chips for a sweet orange chocolate combination
- Add poppy seeds for a classic orange poppy seed variation
- Use Greek yogurt in place of some oil for tangier flavor
- Create mini loaves for individual servings and gifts
Storage
- Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil
- Store at room temperature for up to 3 days
- Refrigerate wrapped orange bread for up to 1 week
- Freeze sliced portions for up to 3 months
- Thaw frozen slices at room temperature or toast lightly
- Store glazed portions separately to prevent sogginess
Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything
The game-changing secret to extraordinary orange bread lies in a technique my grandmother discovered decades ago: blooming the orange zest in warm butter before adding it to the batter. This simple step releases the essential oils from the zest, creating an incredibly intense citrus flavor that permeates every bite of your orange bread recipe. The warm butter acts as a carrier for these aromatic compounds, ensuring they distribute evenly throughout the loaf rather than creating pockets of intense flavor.
Another crucial element that elevates this orange bread above all others involves the precise timing of when to add each ingredient. Rather than simply dumping everything together, allowing the orange juice to come to room temperature and whisking it slowly into the egg mixture creates an emulsion that results in a more tender, moist crumb. This technique prevents the proteins in the eggs from cooking when they contact acidic orange juice, ensuring your final orange bread has the perfect texture every single time.
FAQ
How long does orange bread last?
Properly stored orange bread will stay fresh for 3-4 days at room temperature when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. For longer storage, refrigerate your orange bread for up to one week or freeze individual slices for up to three months, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
Can I eat orange after eating bread?
Yes, you can absolutely eat fresh orange after consuming bread, including orange bread. There are no dietary restrictions or health concerns with combining citrus fruits and bread products. In fact, eating fresh orange after orange bread can enhance the citrus flavor experience and provide additional vitamin C and fiber benefits.
How many calories are in an orange loaf?
A typical slice of homemade orange bread contains approximately 180-220 calories, depending on the specific recipe and portion size. An entire orange bread loaf usually contains between 1,800-2,200 calories total. The calorie count can vary based on ingredients like butter, oil, sugar content, and any additional mix-ins used.
What does orange juice do to bread dough?
Orange juice adds moisture, natural sweetness, and bright citrus flavor to bread dough while also contributing acidity that can help tenderize the gluten structure. In orange bread recipes, the acid in orange juice reacts with baking powder to create lift, resulting in a lighter texture and enhanced flavor profile throughout the loaf.
Savor More Homemade Goodness
Now that you've mastered this incredible orange bread recipe, why not expand your baking repertoire with two more beloved homemade classics? These additional recipes will complement your newfound orange bread recipe skills and provide even more delicious options for your family's breakfast table and special occasions.
The Easy Amish Cinnamon Bread offers a completely different flavor profile with warm spices and a tender crumb that pairs beautifully with your citrusy orange bread creation. Meanwhile, the Homemade Oatmeal Flour Bread provides a heartier, more nutritious option that showcases how versatile home baking can be. Together with your perfected orange bread technique, these three recipes will establish you as the go-to baker in your household, creating memorable moments and delicious treats that bring everyone together around the table.
From my kitchen, with heart.
Emily Nelson ❤️
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Easy Orange Bread
Equipment
- 1 9x5-inch loaf pan Greased or lined with parchment
- 2 Mixing bowls Large, for wet and dry mixes
- 1 Electric mixer / whisk For combining wet ingredients
- 1 Measuring set Cups and spoons
- 1 Grater/zester Fine-mesh for orange zest
- 1 Wire rack For cooling
- 1 Rubber spatula For gentle folding
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour sifted
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup Unsalted butter melted
- 2 Large eggs room temperature
- 0.5 cup Fresh orange juice preferably strained
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 0.25 cup Milk whole milk preferred
- 0.25 cup Vegetable oil
- 0.5 cup Powdered sugar for glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and grease loaf pan
- Mix dry ingredients
- Whisk wet ingredients separately
- Combine wet and dry ingredients
- Pour into pan and smooth top
- Bake 50–60 min until toothpick is clean
- Cool 10 min, then transfer to wire rack
- Drizzle with glaze once fully cooled
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