Cranberry Orange Pistachio Bread

I’m a walking contradiction, y’all.

I judge those who watch The Bachelor yet I can watch Real Housewives for hours on end. I swore I would never slip my foot into an Ugg boot but once when my mom’s were sitting around, I wore them outside to get the mail… and didn’t take them off for the next few days. And when it comes to cranberries, I prefer fresh or dried hands-down — but I must have the canned sauce at the dinner table with my turkey. Don’t you take away my Ocean Spray in favor of your fancy schmancy cranberry sauce. I will forever love the jellied, can-indented stuff.

So, confession time aside, let’s go back to dried cranberries. They’re easily one of my favorite accessories to muffins & breads, and even things like stuffing and salads. My ideal salad is actually dark, leafy greens piled high with candies pecans or walnuts, dried cranberries and a little blue cheese. Perfeeeection. And in trail mix, I’m the one who picks all the cranberries to eat for myself. They’re just so goooooood. Like the raisin’s cooler, hotter cousin.

And lucky for me, cranberries complement so many other foods in general but especially during the holidays. Cranberries and meat – check. Cranberries in stuffing – check. Cranberries in salads – check. And obviously, cranberries in dessert! The easiest way for me to sneak these rubies into baked goods is to use them with carbs. Whether it be cookies, muffins, donuts or breads, the cranberries nestle themselves beautifully among the light and airy texture of the baked goods, absorb that buttery-sugary goodness, and add a hint of tartness that I find so addictive.

My new favorite combo? Cranberries and pistachios! Those green gems and the ruby red fruit pair together so harmoniously… but I may be biased after eating this entire loaf by myself 🙂 Cranberries are mixed into a light and buttery bread loaf alongside shelled, bright green pistachios for a nutty touch. The real secret here? Orange zest, which brightens everything up and adds a je ne sais quoi flair to this fabulous loaf.

Okay – enough chit-chat. Who’s ready to eat?!

*adapted from Taste of Home’s recipe

Print Recipe

Cranberry Orange Pistachio Bread {Nutty Desserts Week!!}

This soft and fluffy loaf is packed with bright cranberries, a burst of orange zest to emphasize flavor, and some sweet pistachios for a nutty undertone. Simply put: it's irresistible!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course: Bread, Breakfast

Servings: 8 -10

Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup canola oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 tsp orange zest
• 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• Pinch salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 & 1/2 cups dried cranberries
• 1 cup pistachios

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease a 9" loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs and buttermilk. Add in the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until combined. Lastly, fold in the cranberries, orange zest and pistachios.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread in an even layer. Bake for approx. 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool completely before cutting or serving. Feel free to glaze if you'd like, but I like it without!

Please promise me you won’t skimp on the orange zest or cinnamon! The combination of the two adds a bright yet warming flavor to this fantastic bread loaf and blends so perfectly with the nutty, sweet pistachios and the bursts of tart cranberries. I love mine warmed with a small slathering of butter, but this would be great glazed with a sweet orange icing as well!

*Tip: save yourself time and money by buying shelled pistachios by Diamond of California! The folks over at Diamond of CA sell packaged, shelled pistachios ready to go which is a HUGE time-saver in the kitchen (and not to mention a fingernail saver as well!) You can find them in the baking aisle of most supermarkets.

Have a fantastical day!! Stay tuned for more Nutty Desserts Week madness tomorrow 🙂

xo, Hayley