Cranberry Oatmeal Quick Bread is a delicious recipe that perfectly blends the sweetness of honey, the hearty texture of oats, and the tangy flavor of cranberries, all brought together with a touch of cinnamon.
This moist and flavorful easy oatmeal bread has just the right amount of crunch from the nuts. It’s versatile, and you can enjoy it plain, with a spread of butter, or toasted for extra warmth.
This bread is part of my growing quick bread category. Check it out as there are a few delicious where you can find a few delicious recipes. Try this Depression-era peanut butter bread or this blender whole orange bread. I am sure you will just love them, as they are so good!
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this easy oatmeal bread recipe (Find the entire list and amounts in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article):
- Honey: adds natural sweetness and moisture to this delicious bread. For the same purpose, you can substitute it with maple syrup or agave nectar, with a slight change in flavor.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness.
- Milk: Helps create a soft texture. I used whole milk but feel free to swap with almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
- Vegetable Oil: Keeps the bread tender.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the bread. You can replace some of it with whole wheat flour.
- Quick-Cooking Rolled Oats: These contribute to chewiness and a hearty texture. Old-fashioned oats work, too, but avoid instant oats.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Both of them are used as a leavening agent and they are essential for the bread to rise. Make sure they’re fresh for the best results.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm spice note. Feel free to include nutmeg or allspice for more depth.
- Dried Cranberries: Bring tangy sweetness. Raisins, chopped dried apricots, or dried cherries can also work as substitutes.
- Chopped Nuts: Add crunch and a nutty flavor. Walnuts, pecans, or almonds are great options, or skip them if you prefer nut-free bread.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans to prevent sticking, or cover the bottom of the pans with parchment paper.
Step 2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, eggs, milk, and oil until well combined. This creates the liquid base for the bread.
Step 3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mixing these separately ensures even distribution.
Step 4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients into Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Step 5. Fold in Cranberries and Nuts: Gently fold in the dried cranberries and chopped nuts, ensuring they’re evenly dispersed throughout the batter.
Step 6. Fill the Pans: Divide the batter equally between the prepared loaf pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
Step 7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8. Cool and Remove from Pans: Let the loaves cool in their pans for 15 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overmix: Stir just until the ingredients come together to avoid dense bread.
- Test for Doneness: Baking times may vary. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Variations
- Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Bread: Add the zest of one orange for a citrusy twist.
- Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread: Substitute half the nuts with chocolate chips for a sweeter version.
- Spiced Cranberry Bread: Add 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and ground cloves for a warm, spiced flavor.
This cranberry oatmeal quick bread will become a favorite in your kitchen. Try it, and don’t forget to let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
More Recipes To Love
Easy Cranberry Oatmeal Quick Bread (Sweet And Nutty)
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans.
- Combine honey, eggs, milk and oil in a large bowl and mix well.
- Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl and mix well.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Fold in cranberries and nuts.
- Spoon into the prepared pans and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 15 minutes. Remove from pans and allow the breads to cool completely on wire racks.
Notes
- Plain or Toasted: Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee for a great breakfast.
- With Spreads: Try butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey for added richness.
- Topped with Fruits: Serve with fresh berries or a dollop of plain yogurt for a breakfast treat.
Gigi
Thursday 16th of January 2025
This recipe is delicious and so much healthier than other alternatives. Yum!
Gabriela
Thursday 16th of January 2025
Thank you, Gigi! It is indeed a very good recipe. I am glad you liked it and thank you for your comment!