Vegan Orange Cranberry Bread: A Festive Holiday Quick Bread Without Oil

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour: 2 cups (240g)
• Baking powder: 2 teaspoons (10g)
• Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g)
• Ground cinnamon: 1/4 teaspoon (0.6g)
• Ground nutmeg: 1/8 teaspoon (0.3g)
• Ground cardamom: 1/8 teaspoon (0.3g)
• Ground cloves: 1/8 teaspoon (0.3g)
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon (1.5g)

Wet Ingredients

• Unsweetened applesauce: 1/2 cup (120g)
• Orange juice: 1 cup (240ml)
• Organic cane sugar: 1/3 cup (67g)
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon (5ml)
• Fresh cranberries: 1 cup (100g), plus extra for topping
• Orange zest: 1 tablespoon (6g)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Pan: Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and salt until well combined.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix applesauce, orange juice, cane sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Create Batter: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Gently fold in cranberries and orange zest, being careful not to overmix.
5. Bake: Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan. Arrange additional cranberries on top if desired. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool: Allow bread to cool completely in pan before removing and slicing.

Nutritional Information (per slice, based on 12 slices)

• Calories: 120
• Total Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Sugar: 8g

Expert Tips and Tricks

1. Measure flour accurately by spooning into measuring cups and leveling off with a knife.
2. Use room temperature ingredients for better incorporation.
3. Pulse cranberries briefly in a food processor for more even distribution throughout the bread.
4. Test doneness with a wooden skewer; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Variations and Substitutions

• Replace cranberries with blueberries or raspberries
• Substitute whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier flavor
• Use coconut sugar instead of cane sugar
• Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for texture
• Include 1/4 cup dried cranberries for extra sweetness