Fragrant, sunny-hued orange bread is a perfect loaf for midday snacking. Learn how to make this versatile loaf at home.

Orange Bread Recipe: Tips for Making Spiced Orange Bread

Orange bread is a variety of quick bread flavored with fresh orange juice, zest, and, occasionally, orange extract. Quick breads like orange bread, [banana bread](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-banana-bread-easy-recipe-and-variations), and zucchini bread rely on [leavening agents](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/leavening-agents), like baking powder and baking soda, rather than yeast for their rise. 

Recipes for orange bread may include milk, butter, eggs, or olive oil as the primary source of fat and structure.  

Orange bread is easy to make at home. Serve this citrusy, sweet bread as-is for snacking; add a [cream cheese frosting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe) or light glaze for a more traditional dessert presentation. 

1. __Use fresh orange juice whenever possible__. The key to a deep, well-rounded orange flavor is orange zest, which you can only get from fresh oranges. Bake this bread during citrus season if you can, and use whichever variety you like best, be it Cara Cara, navel, or blood oranges.   
2. __For a moist, fluffy loaf, mix until just combined__. Too much gluten formation in orange bread leads to a tough, heavy loaf. To keep the crumb light and moist, mix the batter just enough to incorporate all the flour.  
3. __Add complementary flavors with various mix-ins__. Make a wintry cranberry orange bread with fresh cranberries, evoke chocolate-dipped candied oranges with dark chocolate chips, or double down on the bright citrus flavor with finely chopped [candied orange peel](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/candied-orange-peel-recipe) or orange blossom water. 
4. __Bake the bread into personalized portions__. Like all quick breads, orange bread lends itself well to mini loaves or muffins; simply swap a standard loaf pan for mini loaf pans or a muffin tin.
5. __Store at room temperature or freeze for longer storage__. Cover the loaf with plastic wrap and store it on the counter at room temperature to keep the bread from drying out. To freeze, wrap the loaf entirely in plastic wrap, then store it in a resealable plastic bag. Enjoy within six months. 

Fragrant, sunny-hued orange bread is a perfect loaf for midday snacking. Learn how to make this versatile loaf at home.

Orange bread is a variety of quick bread flavored with fresh orange juice, zest, and, occasionally, orange extract. Quick breads like orange bread, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-banana-bread-easy-recipe-and-variations' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/the-best-banana-bread-easy-recipe-and-variations","linkCopy":"banana bread","category":null}'>banana bread</a>, and zucchini bread rely on <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/leavening-agents' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/leavening-agents","linkCopy":"leavening agents","category":null}'>leavening agents</a>, like baking powder and baking soda, rather than yeast for their rise. Recipes for orange bread may include milk, butter, eggs, or olive oil as the primary source of fat and structure.

What Is Orange Bread?

Orange bread is easy to make at home. Serve this citrusy, sweet bread as-is for snacking; add a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe","linkCopy":"cream cheese frosting","category":null}'>cream cheese frosting</a> or light glaze for a more traditional dessert presentation. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Use fresh orange juice whenever possible. The key to a deep, well-rounded orange flavor is orange zest, which you can only get from fresh oranges. Bake this bread during citrus season if you can, and use whichever variety you like best, be it Cara Cara, navel, or blood oranges. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. For a moist, fluffy loaf, mix until just combined. Too much gluten formation in orange bread leads to a tough, heavy loaf. To keep the crumb light and moist, mix the batter just enough to incorporate all the flour. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Add complementary flavors with various mix-ins. Make a wintry cranberry orange bread with fresh cranberries, evoke chocolate-dipped candied oranges with dark chocolate chips, or double down on the bright citrus flavor with finely chopped <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/candied-orange-peel-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/candied-orange-peel-recipe","linkCopy":"candied orange peel","category":null}'>candied orange peel</a> or orange blossom water. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Bake the bread into personalized portions. Like all quick breads, orange bread lends itself well to mini loaves or muffins; simply swap a standard loaf pan for mini loaf pans or a muffin tin. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Store at room temperature or freeze for longer storage. Cover the loaf with plastic wrap and store it on the counter at room temperature to keep the bread from drying out. To freeze, wrap the loaf entirely in plastic wrap, then store it in a resealable plastic bag. Enjoy within six months. </li></ol>

5 Tips for Making Orange Bread

Easy Spiced Orange Bread Recipe

Fragrant, sunny-hued orange bread is a perfect loaf for midday snacking. Learn how to make this versatile loaf at home.

Fragrant, sunny-hued orange bread is a perfect loaf for midday snacking. Learn how to make this versatile loaf at home.
