Cranberry Walnut Bread is a very easy and delicious way to use cranberries. And walnuts are a natural partner with them, Did you know that there is a cranberry institute? On their website, there is a ton of information about the amazing cranberry, its history, how it's grown and the health benefits of including them in our diet.
Cranberries: More Than Just Sauce
Luckily for us, fresh, frozen and dried cranberries are easy to get. And the cranberry is a versatile berry. It's not just for cranberry sauce. Although Cranberry Sauce From Scratch is easy to make, too. You can use them to add a tart flavour to lots of dishes, both savoury and sweet. Including this cranberry walnut bread. Walnuts and cranberries are delicious together in this bread, with a hint of cinnamon and orange. Using fresh cranberries means a moist and not too sweet bread.
Quick Breads are, Well, Quick
Quick breads like this one are so easy to stir up and pop into the oven when you need a quick treat. And they're healthier and tastier than store-bought cookies and cakes. They also freeze well. So you always have something on hand for when company comes, or to bring along to a gathering. You can freeze individually wrapped slices for school or work lunches, too. Then you won't be tempted by those coffee shop slices.
Be Sure To Toast Your Walnuts
Be sure to toast the walnuts first. The result is a toasty intense nutty flavour that makes the cranberry walnut bread so good. Bonus: your house will smell amazing. Which will make you want a slice as soon as it comes out of the oven. But hold off and let the loaf cool first; it will taste much better.
Want to do more baking with cranberries? Try these Cranberry Shortbread Cookies or an Apple Cranberry Pie.

Cranberry Walnut Bread – An Easy Cranberry Walnut Loaf
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- zest of one orange
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk I used almond
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ½ cup toasted walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan, or use a non-stick pan.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange zest.
- In a smaller bowl beat egg, milk, and oil together.
- Add egg mixture to the dry ingredients.
- Quickly combine, just enough to moisten.
- Fold in cranberries and walnuts.
- Spread batter in the prepared pan and bake in the center of the oven for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
This just shouts holiday and so festive. I love the colors and that there is an orange in there sounds perfect!
Hi Claudia, the orange is so good with cranberry, and this loaf is perfect to have around for the holidays. Cheers!
This bread is fantastic and easy to make. I made some for a Christmas party and people loved it.
So happy that you and your guests loved it, Mary!
This cranberry and walnut loaf looks sooo good. I love bread with fruit and nuts but have never made one. Definitely want to try this. Pinning for later!
Jacqueline, I think you will love just how easy this loaf is to stir together and bake! Enjoy!
Wise advice on nuts, forgetting to toast them is such a faux pas 😉 I love the sound of this, tasty and simple, fab recipe.
Thanks Brian! Nuts, should always be toasted!
I still haven't bought cranberries this year, but when I do the first thing I'll do with them is bake a loaf/cake. Thanks for inspiring me!
Diana, Cranberries, are so perfect for baking!
Definitely pinning to try this recipe ...just love using cranberries in baked goods. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Maria. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Beautiful loaf! This reminds me that I really need to take advantage of cranberry season while I can. I live right in the heart of cranberry country (seriously, Richmond is fully of cranberry fields, many of which are flooded right now), and they're such a welcome, vibrant sight when so many other fruits are finished for the season. Love that you've paired them with toasted walnuts too!
Thanks Sean! Those cranberry fields are such a pretty sight at this time of year in your part of the world.
Mmm, this looks perfect for autumn! I'm definitely going to try making this with a flax egg. Love the toasted walnuts!
Thanks Brittany! I need to know what a flax egg is though!
Wow your pictures are amazing! This loaf looks and sounds scrumptious! Love the addition of the orange! I can't wait to try this one out!
Carrie, thank you so much! I hope you try it, it was really good!
I really like this recipe. I like that it doesn't use a lot of oil. I find that many quick breads like this have too much oil and butter in them. The combination of Tart cranberries and buttery and crunchy walnuts is great. Definitely pinning this for later
Thanks so much, Julia! We really loved the cranberry / walnut combo, too.