Description
Bright, citrusy, and wonderfully soft, this Homemade Orange Bread is a sweet and refreshing treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light dessert. Made with fresh orange juice, zest, and a tender, buttery crumb, this quick bread delivers sunshine in every bite. Finished with an optional orange glaze, it’s a beautiful and flavorful loaf that’s as easy to make as it is to love.
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Ingredients
For the Orange Bread:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
⅓ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
1 tbsp orange zest (about 1 large orange)
½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Orange Glaze (Optional):
½ cup powdered sugar
1–2 tbsp orange juice
½ tsp orange zest
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar
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In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
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Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well combined.
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Add in orange juice, orange zest, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Step 4: Combine & Mix
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until no flour remains.
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Be careful not to overmix—the batter should be thick and smooth.
Step 5: Bake the Bread
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Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
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Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
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If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 10–15 minutes.
Step 6: Cool the Loaf
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Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
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Then remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Step 7: Make the Orange Glaze (Optional)
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In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, and a pinch of salt.
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Adjust the consistency as needed—add more juice for a thinner glaze or more sugar to thicken.
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Drizzle over the cooled bread and allow to set for a few minutes before slicing.
Notes
Use Fresh Orange Juice – It makes a big difference in flavor and brightness.
Don’t Skip the Zest – The zest contains essential oils that give a deep, real orange flavor.
Let It Cool – Glazing a warm loaf can cause the icing to melt and slide off.
Try Greek Yogurt – If you don’t have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt works just as well.
Make it Fancy – Add chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or a few chocolate chips for fun variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Cuisine: American