Cranberry Walnut Orange No Knead Bread is a delightful and easy-to-make treat that brings the bright flavors of orange and the crunch of walnuts together with sweet cranberries. This bread is perfect for any occasion, whether you want to enjoy it with breakfast, serve it alongside dinner, or snack on it throughout the day. Let’s dive into this simple recipe that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor!

What You’ll Need for Cranberry Walnut Orange No Knead Bread

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to baking this delicious bread. Here’s what you’ll need:

14 oz (400 ml) Tap Water
1 ½ teaspoons (4 g) Yeast (Bread machine yeast or rapid-rise yeast)
1 ½ teaspoons (9 g) Sea Salt
Zest of One Medium Orange
1 to 2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) Honey
½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) Vanilla Extract
½ teaspoon (1 g) Ground Cinnamon
2 tablespoons (28 g) Melted Butter
3 ½ cups (420 g) Bread Flour
½ cup (60 g) Chopped Walnuts
½ cup (75 g) Dried Cranberries

Step-by-Step Cranberry Walnut Orange No Knead Bread Recipe

Making this no-knead bread is straightforward and fun! Follow these simple steps:

Activate the Yeast: Pour the water into a bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it rise for about 30 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Mix in the Flavors: Add the sea salt, honey, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon to the yeast mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly.
Hydrate the Flour: Gradually add the bread flour to the mixture, stirring with a spatula until all the flour is hydrated.
Incorporate the Mix-Ins: Once the mixture has formed a shaggy dough, fold in the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries.
Fold the Dough: Gently fold the dough over itself a few times to combine the ingredients better.
Proof the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough proof for 1 ½ to 2 hours until it has doubled in size.
Degas the Dough: After the initial rise, gently degas the dough with a spatula to release some of the air.
Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured parchment sheet, shaping it into a ball. Place it back into a clean bowl for the second rise, which will take about 30-45 minutes.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) with a Dutch Oven inside. Let it heat for 30-60 minutes to ensure it’s nice and hot.
Bake the Dough: Carefully place the dough in the preheated Dutch Oven using the parchment paper. Cut an X on the top of the dough to allow it to expand while baking.
Cover and Bake: Cover the Dutch Oven and bake for 30 minutes. Then, uncover it and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes until it reaches your desired doneness.
Cool and Slice: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing. If you plan to freeze it, wrap it in foil and store it in a ziplock bag.

How to Serve Cranberry Walnut Orange No Knead Bread

Serving this delightful bread is as easy as enjoying it! Here are some ideas for how to enjoy your Cranberry Walnut Orange No Knead Bread:

Breakfast Delight: Slice the bread and toast it lightly. Spread with butter or cream cheese for a delicious morning treat.
Pair with Cheese: Serve slices alongside sharp cheeses, like cheddar or gouda, for a savory and sweet appetizer.
Wholesome Snack: Enjoy a slice as a mid-afternoon snack with a cup of tea or coffee. The flavors are satisfying on their own!

Helpful Tricks for Cranberry Walnut Orange No Knead Bread

To make your baking experience even better, here are a few tips and variations to consider:

Experiment with Nuts: Feel free to swap out the walnuts for pecans or almonds if you prefer. Each nut will add a unique flavor to the bread.
Add More Fruit: Try adding other dried fruits like apricots or apples for added sweetness and texture.
Adjust the Sweetness: If you like your bread a little sweeter, increase the amount of honey in the recipe.

Cranberry Walnut Orange No Knead Bread FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes, you can use all-purpose flour, but bread flour will give you a slightly better texture due to its higher protein content.

How should I store the bread?

Store the bread in a sealed container at room temperature for a few days. For longer storage, wrap it in foil and freeze it.

Can I make this bread without cranberries?

Absolutely! You can omit the cranberries or substitute them with your favorite dried fruit.

Cranberry Walnut Orange No Knead Bread is not just a recipe; it’s an experience that fills your home with wonderful aromas and makes for the perfect treat at any time of day. I hope you give it a try and enjoy every bite!

Print Recipe

Cranberry Walnut Orange No Knead Bread

This delightful no-knead bread combines the bright flavors of orange with sweet cranberries and crunchy walnuts, making it perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time2

Cook Time50

Total Time2 50

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cranberry Walnut Bread, Easy Bread Recipe, Homemade Bread, No Knead Bread, Orange Bread

Servings: 8 slices

Calories: 180kcal

Ingredients

For the Bread

14 oz Tap Water
1.5 teaspoons Yeast (Bread machine yeast or rapid-rise yeast)
1.5 teaspoons Sea Salt
1 medium Zest of One Medium Orange
1 to 2 tablespoons Honey
0.5 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
0.5 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
2 tablespoons Melted Butter
3.5 cups Bread Flour
0.5 cup Chopped Walnuts
0.5 cup Dried Cranberries

Instructions

Preparation

Pour the water into a bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it rise for about 30 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Add the sea salt, honey, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon to the yeast mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly.
Gradually add the bread flour to the mixture, stirring with a spatula until all the flour is hydrated.
Once the mixture has formed a shaggy dough, fold in the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries.
Gently fold the dough over itself a few times to combine the ingredients better.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough proof for 1 ½ to 2 hours until it has doubled in size.
After the initial rise, gently degas the dough with a spatula to release some of the air.
Transfer the dough onto a floured parchment sheet, shaping it into a ball. Place it back into a clean bowl for the second rise, which will take about 30-45 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) with a Dutch Oven inside. Let it heat for 30-60 minutes to ensure it’s nice and hot.
Carefully place the dough in the preheated Dutch Oven using the parchment paper. Cut an X on the top of the dough to allow it to expand while baking.
Cover the Dutch Oven and bake for 30 minutes. Then, uncover it and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes until it reaches your desired doneness.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing. If you plan to freeze it, wrap it in foil and store it in a ziplock bag.

Notes

Experiment with different nuts like pecans or almonds, or add more dried fruits for a sweeter flavor. Store the bread in a sealed container for a few days, or freeze for longer shelf life.