Holiday Orange-Blueberry Bread
A vibrant and moist bread that combines the zesty brightness of orange with sweet blueberries and crunchy pecans. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or teatime, it offers a delightful balance of citrus flavor and fruity sweetness that appeals to all ages and complements many spreads or simply enjoyed on its own.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
- Beat the eggs in a separate large bowl.
- Add melted butter, orange juice, milk, and grated orange rind to the eggs and mix well.
- Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir only until just moistened.
- Carefully fold in the chopped pecans and blueberries.
- Pour the batter into a buttered and floured 5 x 9-inch loaf pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread set for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.
- Cool on a wire rack.
- Wrap and refrigerate overnight before slicing.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, try substituting half of the blueberries with cranberries for a festive touch. If you don't have pecans, walnuts or almonds work well too. Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread light and fluffy. Sifting the dry ingredients helps to aerate the flour, which enhances the texture of the bread. This recipe can be easily adapted to suit vegetarian recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delightful bread warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey. It pairs beautifully with Buttermilk Fruit Salad for a refreshing contrast. Consider enjoying it as a breakfast item with coffee or as a snack with tea. For a sweet ending, follow it with Bev'S Lemon Ice Cream Pie for a perfect holiday dessert combo.
Storage & Reheating
Once cooled, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it moist. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it, wrapped well, for up to 3 months. Reheat slices in the toaster or microwave for a warm treat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday Orange-Blueberry Bread contains roughly 718 calories, with 8g protein, 68g carbohydrates, and 48g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (40% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1550mg per serving (67% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen blueberries; just make sure to fold them in gently while still frozen to prevent the batter from turning blue. There's no need to thaw them beforehand, but you might want to increase the baking time slightly as they may release extra moisture during baking.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
The best way to check if the bread is done is to insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, the bread is ready. If the toothpick has wet batter on it, continue baking and check every 5 minutes until done.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Absolutely! This bread actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have time to meld. After baking, let it cool completely, then wrap it securely and refrigerate overnight. You can also freeze it and thaw it when needed for even longer storage.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).