This weekend I found myself in one of those expensive clothing boutiques that I really… really had no business being in. ย You know those stores: random things cost three hundred dollars and you have no idea why. ย Yea…
I realized something crazy ridiculous while browsing around. ย The only sizes displayed on the racks were sizes 0, 2, and 4. ย I ran across the occasional size 6 but those were like seeing a unicorn in a coffee shop.
Um…. this business practice does not at all agree with my thighs. ย Putting me through the discomfort of asking the XS sales girl for a larger-than-size-six-size is just not really that cool. ย It doesn’t inspire me to spend hundred of dollars to treat myself to clothes I don’t really need.
It’s like… Ok, fancy boutique, I see the ways in which you glorify size tiny while simultaneously work to undermine my confidence… but I happen to be happy with this body that I inhabit and I would hope that you would respect that, and reflect my needs among your offensively expensive offerings. ย No? ย You need to ‘go see if there’s a larger size from the back’? ย Wwwwhhhyyyy must we suffer through this exchange? ย It doesn’t have to be like this… you know that, right!? Fine. ย Whatever. ย I’m going to Zara.
I’m outraged and appalled (ok… i’m totally being dramatic) and I would like for you to pass the cake. ย Not because I’m eating my feelings, but because I actually eat cake and I’m totally ok with that.
First things first: ย if you’re going to make one loaf of this coffee cake, you dang-sure might as well make two loaves. ย They freeze and gift very well.
Done and done. ย Good!
Now bust out that flour. ย We’re going to need four cups.
This recipe doesn’t require a stand mixer or hand beaters. ย Hallelujah!
In fact, this coffee cake is a bit quirky in that the butter is broken up into the dry ingredients like we’re making biscuit or pie dough. ย Fingers work together the butter and flour mixture until it resembles a coarse meal. ย It’s just as easy as that!
We’re zesting orange peels and juicing oranges for fresh orange juice.
There are few things I love more than bright citrus on cloudy winter days.
One of the things I love about this cake is the unapologetic use of orange juice. ย No buttermilk. ย No cream. ย Orange juice all the way. ย Fresh (as always) preferred.
The architecture of baking. ย Well greased and floured.
It is with great anticipation that I admire the ruby red cranberry studs.
Because enough is rarely ever enough, pecan streusel is sprinkled over the coffee cake just before baking.
Tenderly tart and crunchy sweet. ย How do you like those for adjectives?
This is one of my absolute favorite winter quick breads. ย Every holiday season my mom manages to knock my dad off of his pie-making high-horse (with love and respect) to make this cranberry bread. ย It’s scented with orange and toasted pecans. ย The tart cranberries bake up soft and sweet. ย The crumb topping is an addition I’m trying to make a tradition… everyone knows that crumb topping makes everything better.
Note: ย You can make this recipe dairy-free by substituting vegetable shortening in place of butter! ย Win!
Put on the coffee. ย Ooooh it is time.
Cranberry Orange & Pecan Coffee Cake
makes two 9×5-inch loaves
For the Cake:
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cup granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into medium chunks
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups coarsely chopped fresh cranberries
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
For the Topping:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. ย Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. ย Line loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang on each side. ย Grease the parchment paper and dust with flour on all sides. ย Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. ย Add chunks of butter and work the butter into the flour with your fingers. ย Try to blend the butter into each bit of the dry ingredients. ย The mixture will resemble a coarse meal.
In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
Add the wet ingredients all at once to the dry ingredients. ย Stir together to incorporate. ย Add the cranberries and pecans and fold into the batter.
To make the topping combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and rub together with your fingertips until crumbly.
Divide the batter between the two loaf pans. ย Sprinkle each loaf with topping. ย Place in the oven and allow to bake until the cake is golden brown and the center is cooked through. ย Insert a skewer into the center of the cake to ensure that it’s cooked through, about 50 to 60 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Use the parchment paper to life the loaves from the pan and allow to cool further on a wire rack.
For the glaze I whisked together 1 cup of powdered sugar and just over a tablespoon of milk. ย I drizzled it over the cooled coffee cake.
Cake can be stored, well wrapped at room temperature, for up to 5 days. ย
274 Responses
Ok I’m here to tell you that I make this quick break (it’s called coffee cake but let’s be honest) at least 2 or 3 times a year as soon as fresh cranberries show up at my farmer’s market. The recipe works every time and I always receive compliments on the results.
Absolutely delicious. What a difference using fresh squeezed oranges, added work is worth it. Made these as part of a brunch with friends and it was hard to leave any for my guests.
Can you use this mixture for muffins ?
Yes indeed! Just shorten the baking time substantially, likely about 20-25 minutes at 350!
Can you freeze these
Love, love, love this recipe. So much flavor in so many interesting ways. I made four mini loaves and one 8.5×4 loaf with this recipe. Makes it easy to share with others.
I’ve made this twice – soooo good.
I’ve been eyeing this receipe for a while now and I made these yesterday to have for Christmas Breakfast (Brunch) today and they were delicious! Used fresh cranberries and fresh OJ. Great Recipe.
I live in Portugal and there are no fresh cranberries to be found. Ever. This cake looks amazing. Can I substitute raspberries or strawberries? PS: Love your blog!
I’ve made this recipe with fresh raspberries and another time with dried cranberries.
Both cakes were very delicious. Enjoy!
Joy, I just made this recipe yesterday, and it was the best cranberry orange recipe I have ever made!! I will be making more for gifts now, as my husband and myself have eaten over half a loaf already!! No skinny-mini sizes for me! Lol! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Pass me a slice of cake any day! Loving the look of this cake! Will have to give it a go soon :)
Right on Sista!! Tell it like it is- or should be anyway… Yummmm, will definitely be making and gifting these loaves. Bought extra cranberries in hopes of finding the best recipe. Also- love that juicer! Is it readily available somewhere?
Really really yummy coffee cake. Thank you so much for sharing! Be sure to use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best result.
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
We baked it today with some friends… Really delicious!!! :D
Not everyone in my house is a cranberry fan, so I substituted those for cherries. It was yummy, as are all your wonderful recipes!! Thanks for making my day.
I made the bread for the first time last year. Such yummy bread. Now that autumn is here and fresh cranberries are dotting the market shelves, I have to dust off the recipe and bake it again. Thank you so much for sharing!
I just made this…have been following your blog and bookmarking recipes for a while now but finally got down to it. It is absolutely delicious!! My mother is in heaven! Thank you so much!
Hey there, Joy.
Just a thanks from a baker ‘Down Under’. I made this recipe and took one loaf to work and gave the other to my folks. I had my doubts about the orange juice giving enough flavour and moisture to this loaf but it was great. Many people at work requested the recipe and my parents toasted it to eat with their copious cups of tea for the rest of the week. Yum! I have just stocked up on craisins (I have never seen fresh cranberries sold here in Sydney) and am going to try adding a little finely chopped dark chocolate as well as baking them as muffins.
I’m enjoying exploring the recipes in your blog as well as your journey. Thanks for sharing.
By the way, today I am down to a t-shirt even though it is Winter down here so your current Summer recipes are coming in handy!
just wonderful! thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
Hi Joy, I baked this cake for some friends this holiday season. I thought you would enjoy the email response I received…..
“We have had a few slices of your cake you made us and it is delicious!! S loved it so much, he even licked his plate! ย It won’t last very long now. ย Thank you so much for baking for us.”
I made sure to save some for myself as well. It WAS delicious. Thank you and Happy New Year!
I’ve made many of your recipes and this one was by far the best! My husband is a cake freak and keeps asking me to make this again.
in the oven right now, subbed walnuts for pecans! a loaf for a kind professor + one for myself. thank you for your honesty in this post – a refreshing breath of air in the world of food blogs to get that out there :)
Thanks for sharing this recipe! My cranberry bread used to be from an old recipe by Jeff Smith, the Frugal Gourmet. Ever heard of him? We made your recipe tonight for breakfast tomorrow on Thanksgiving. The loaves turned out beautifully and they smell divine. I will not be surprised if when I wake up tomorrow, the midnight snackers have already had a couple of slices. Happy Thanksgiving, Joy!
Definitely making this to take with me to Thanksgiving. Would it be totally crazy to cut the sugar a bit, as long as I cut a little of the OJ to balance dry/wet ingredients?
One year later, but I’m finally getting around to trying this recipe out. Bought the cranberries this morning, and the cake is in the oven as we speak. Thank you for the wonderful aroma in the entire living room. My mom and I definitely aren’t complaining.
Happy holidays, Joy!
I made this tonight for my coffee shop in walla walla, wa. Haven’t had a chance to taste it yet though. Its cooling.
Wow great combination…..sounds amazing. Will definitely try this soon.
Thank you – both for your welcome thoughts on snooty boutiques and the recipe.
2 loaves in the oven right now – 1 as written, 1 with pistachios and dried apricots. My house smells divine.
Would it be possible to replace some or all of the sugar with an aritificial sweetener like Splenda?
i’ve never baked with splenda, so I’m afraid I’m not the best person to guide you.
Can these be frozen? I just made them (and they smell and look delicious!) for a get-together tonight but it turns out it might be postponed for a week. If I freeze them in plastic wrap and then reheat in the oven, do you think they’ll still be as good? Thank you!
Well, it will never be as good as fresh baked, but you should be able to freeze and warm before serving.
This looks awesome.
However. I went to print this recipe and it came out on three pages. 3 freakin’ pages.
Save a tree, lady. Formatting!!
Hi!
It’s almost impossible to find cranberries where I live, so… Could I use raspberries or blackberries instead?? Tks!!
blackberries would be magic!
I would just like to say that this coffee cake is amazing. It was the first time I had ever worked with fresh cranberries.
I made muffins out of this and froze them. This was breakfast for SEVERAL days (probably more days than is advisable to eat cake for breakfast but, hey, it was December). I also made mini loaves as holiday gifts for everyone at work. I have not found a single person who didn’t absolutely lose their minds over these.
Thanks for (another) great recipe. I haven’t had one of your great ideas fail me once!
wow this looks amazing…will try.
I have made this recipe twice now and my family loves it! It is truly no norm, as my kids say!
Thank you for sharing this recipe ~ this will be made (with love) and shipped to my family up north, after a batch for my kiddos and hubby at home! As an aside, I want to just tell you that your shopping experience sounds like one of those slowly infuriating and self defeating moments that can knock the wind out of a less confident woman’s sails. Good going for the wherewithal to say “screw that store AND I’m going to bake something fabulous!” :) But just so you know, there are some littles out there (like me, a hated size 4) that work very hard so they can both feel happy with their bodies too AND bake and enjoy fabulous treats like this! Make sure you’re judging smaller sized ladies on a case by case basis. Some of us (like me) aren’t naturally lithe, and really just don’t share your self confidence… I will be following for more delicious recipes to enjoy and share. Thank you for both the cake and the inspiration!
Perfect recipe for a lazy Sunday morning and with 10 minutes left in the oven I can attest that this smells amazing! Love your blog and your delicious recipes, thank you so much.
Wendy
I made this and it was to die for! It was so good and so beautiful too! Thanks for the recipe!
love your website. i’ve heard so much about you… this recipe looks amazing.. i have to make it before winter is officially up, or rather cranberry season. :-)
I’ve been baking this bread for years and years during the holidays. I think I got the recipe from a bag of Ocean Spray cranberries. Their recipe didn’t call for streusel, and I think I’ll continue to leave it out because it’s sweet enough for me the way it is. But it does sounds good and is a nice presentation.
the first time i made this, it was a hit at home & in the office. i am making it today (christmas eve) as a treat for christmas morning. i find though, it takes a lot longer to bake than mentioned. i checked my oven temperature with an additional thermometer and all is good. just allow a bit more time for baking. merry christmas!
first off, i love all of your recipes since i’ve started following you. the reason why i’ve decided to comment on this particular one is because i think ladies should stand together and not just be a reflection of clothing sizes. I have a very petite stature for a woman, but I think that no matter what size you are the grass is always greener on some other pasture. I know you were just venting, but just to let you know size 0 girls eat tons of cake too, or at least that’s me. :) enjoy the holidays
I just made this for tonight’s christmas party. It turned out perfectly and I am oh so pleased and impressed with myself. Thank you for the recipe!
I love cranberry and orange muffins so I am certain this bread with the pecans added is excellent. So many yummy recipes from you Joy and so little time to make them. :-) What’s a girl to do? :-)
Made this recipe for our Army Navy game party. It was delicious, very easy to make, and I love that it did not require an electric mixer to make which added to the ease of making the recipe. I love your site and love this recipe! Go Navy!
I have made this delicioso cake at least 10 times since the post! Seriously best coffee cake ever! I made a couple of adjustments along the way…I added 1/2 cup sugar to the topping mixture AND because it takes a ton of oranges to get the 1 1/2 cups of juice, I used half fresh oj and other half apple juice. It was quite tasty:)
This is the BEST coffee cake I’ve ever made, and each person I’ve shared it with has declared it to be the best coffee cake of their entire life. The perfect sweet/tart balance. Thanks so much!
Hi Joy can one use dried cranberries and if so any alterations to the recipe? In Australia (even in Sydney!) it is very rare to ever see cranberries fresh but we can get the dried one no problems. Thanks, Deb
YUM! Making this tonight. Any idea if this would work in a bundt pan? Just don’t want it to fall apart.
Joy, my husband loves you because your recipes have inspired me to get back in the kitchen. I made both loaves and I am so glad I did . he did not feel like baking his orange cranberry cookies for the office potluck some took the second loaf to share.
No sugar in the streusel topping?
There’s sugar in there, take a closer look.
Got one of these in the oven right now. Can’t wait for it to be ready. Thanks Joy and Merry Chiristmas to you and yours.
Hi Joy! I’m a long-time reader of your blog and really enjoy your recipes, photos, and general cheeriness. Just wanted to say that I made this coffee cake earlier this week and it is FANTASTIC! I brought some to school and it all went very quickly, followed by numerous “yums” and “mmm’s.” :) Thanks for the recipe and I wish you a most joyous holiday!
I like to believe the reason they don’t have the larger sizes is because obviously, those are just the more popular sizes. Clearly, more women are size 6 and beyond…that’s why only the smaller sizes are available!
Made this. LOVED it. Thank you!
Ugh I totally hear you about the clothing store – one time I went into a place and it seemed like the clothes were incredibly small and I asked if they had a certain sweater in an XL because I wanted it to be looser and the girl looked at me and said “We don’t make XL sizes.” What is that? So no one larger than me can shop in your store? You suck store. Also this coffeecake looks killer. Just wanted to commiserate a little. Happy holidays!
I am sitting on my couch enjoying a rare night at home alone, Michael Buble Christmas special on TV and a warm slice of this delicious bread waiting to be devoured! This bread is wonderfully delicious with the tart cranberries and crunchy pecans, absolute bliss. Thank you, Joy!!!
It took me four days to make this… One night I juiced and zested the oranges. The next I chopped pecans. The next I chopped cranberries. Finally I got two hours to put these loaves together and man was it worth it. I tested it on my guinea pigs (the co-workers). Wow is the only way to explain the reaction. Gone in 10 minutes (by TWO different floors with over 50 people on each) and a ridiculous amount of Thank You Emails.
Joy, you make me look like a rock star. You’re the bestest.
i used craisens.. think that will do.. and me and parchment paper don’t work well together.. i hope i can get the loaves out of the pan.. they have 5 more minutes to bake
I’m so glad everyone commented before. I was worried about the flour crumb topping as well but I proceeded as directed. I left out the glaze so after tasting, I felt it needed a bit of sweetness although the loaf itself was perfect. Next time I won’t skip the glaze!
I want to make this, but my husband doesn’t like cranberries. Maybe I’ll turn it into muffins just for me and freeze them. A day in the fridge and a bit of time in the toaster oven and I’ll be good for breakfast!
Made this on the weekend! f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s! thanks a lot for posting
This weekend I made two loafs of this cake, one has completely disappeared (opps) and the other is in the refrigerator ready for my coffee gathering this week! It is DELICIOUS! Thanks for the post Joy! :)
Thanks I was looking for something just like this. I make a killer mayo cake but needed something a little fancier for the holidays!
Superb coffee cake. My coworkers rave about it. I gave my parents 3 slices. My father called to say that he wants the whole loaf next time. Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe with us.
gorgeous cake! I covered it in chocolate because it’s wrong and right at the same time. thanks for this beautiful recipe!!!!
I’m usually just a lazy lurker – reading all the comments and enjoying your posts. But I made this cake and it was so, so good! I have actually never baked with fresh cranberries before, but I definitely will be making this again. Thanks so much!
Lady, you are killin’ me.
I was preparing to bake this cake and noticed the topping does not include sugar… Is this correct or should sugar be added? Thanks for such a beautiful receipe.
Sylvia – read my post a couple posts up above. I wondered about that too. You don;t need to worry about it. It ends up being perfectly balanced flavorwise.
Made this last night for breakfast this morning. Have to say I was a little bit worried about the crumb topping. Most of them always seem to have sugar in them and I actually thought maybe you had left something out. Even checked the website again because I had printed the recipe the first day and thought you would have corrected it if there was a mistake. I should know just to trust you. It was perfect. With the glaze, you don’t need the sweetness of the sugar in the crumbs. And the little bit of saltiness in the topping was perfect.
This will replace my former go to cranberry bread recipe.
oh, c’est vraiment horrible. the funny thing about boutiques like this, i have always thought, is that they also rely on the bizzaro assumption that thin girls must have lots and lots of money to by oodles of thin clothes for their thin bodies. does it not make more economic sense to carry all sizes?
Believe it or not, the Zara in the city where I live only keeps sizes 0, 2, 4 and the occasional 6 on the floor! Come on, Zara.
The bread looks delicious!
While I agree that all shapes and sizes should be celebrated by society as a whole, a clothing boutique is allowed to carry whatever sizes they want, even if that means they don’t carry yours. If you are really that upset that a certain store is not catering to you, don’t shop there.
cool, thanks!
why is this not coming out of my oven RIGHT NOW?? sounds like a delicious addition to my holiday baking – in fact, making it today for guests coming in tomorrow. I have loaf pans that I use weekly for bread baking – they are fully seasoned and my loaves of bread fall out just turning the pans over – long way to ask if I really have to take the time to grease, blour, parchment line, etc the pans for this bread? my, that does make it sound lazy, doesn’t it? in my defense – recovering from broken ankle and getting around in the kitchen and baking can become a real time consuming event – to say nothing of the mess I leave. . .
Oh my gosh Joy, this looks delightful. If I hadn’t just finished two rum and eggnogs I think I would be making this right now!
Hi!
The cake looks fab!!
But just one question, I was reading the recipe and there is not mention of the coffee, what kind of coffe do you put? essence, instant, spresso? and how much do you put?
Any way, I am sure it would be even lovely without the coffee
Hope you have a great Christmas
there’s no actual coffee in the recipe… it’s just a cake that’s really really great alongside coffee!
Joy, you always know what’s up!!
This looks absolutely delicious. Definitely making it this weekend!
And I totally agree with the stuffy XS boutiques… We’re not a size 6 and that’s totally okay! Go us!
JOYY omg, this looks so goooood. And only a half stick of butter for the whole cake! ‘healthy’….. :) I’m totally making this, this Chanukah!
Cranberry + orange = a match made in heaven! Yummm!!!
Joy, this coffee cake come out perfect! I brought a loaf to work and they were in love. Thanks for always having such wonderful recipes and stories for us to read
I’m pretty sure sugar is missing from the streusel topping ingredients. It didn’t taste right at all as is written and greatly benefitted from the addition of 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
This is totally becoming a thing that stores do to appear fancy, and I do not like it. Every time I’ve been in Ann Taylor recently they’ve pulled the same thing – no sizes on the shelf for my big butt!
Anyway, this bread looks marvelous! I love a good cranberry orange loaf!
Hey Joy!
I love your recipes and your photos! I had to post on this one since you discussed the size issue. I’m 6’2″ and a size 12. I have never been able find clothes (in stores) that are long enough for my arms and legs, so that always ticks me off in cutesy boutique as well as mainstream clothing stores. I’ve come to terms with catalog shopping (and possibly making a trek to Minnesota to visit Long Tall Sally whenever I have about $1,000 to blow on a wardrobe.
However, what’s worse is that I’ve been seeing SIZE 10 and 12 listed as PLUS SIZE!!!! What the crap? It’s ridiculous! Size 12 is SOOOOOO average!!!
Thank you for letting me rant. And, rest assured, your beloved Cranberry Orange & Pecan coffee cake will be making its way to my teachers’ lounge for the holidays. I’ll have to tell them about your great website! :)
Thank you!!
Joy, where did you get those loaf pans? I have one commercial style pan from my mother-in-law, but I would love to get my hands no another or two. I can’t seem to find them online using the usual search methods, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much.
the loaf pans are from a restaurant supply store.
Loved this post! It isn’t just the small boutiques doing this. There are two popular stores that do this and it really makes me mad. At least you can shop at Zara. Zara is cut too small for my curvy hips. That is fine though, as it is a European store, where people aren’t as large as the average American. The two that I’m mad at are J. Crew and Banana Republic. More J. Crew than BR though. I love how JC has bigger sizes, but on line only! As if anyone over size 10 has to be secluded in their home ordering on line so no one sees their large body. Our JC only has clothes in the store that go to size 10. I’m a 14/16….which from what I keep hearing is the average American Women’s size. So why wouldn’t they just cary those sizes in the store???
I make clothing, and I think I know why they don’t design really stylish clothing for bigger people. It is harder to do!!
Enough about that, I’m making this quick bread!! Your photos are so beautiful.
I would much rather eat cranberry-orange coffee cake than wear a size 0. This recipe looks great!
One of my guilty pleasures I can’t pass up is coffee cake…looks delicious! =)
Ergo – Blog
Hi Joy –
I’ve never used parchment paper in my loaf pans. I’m wondering why you do that? Thanks.
I love your blog – every post is a day brightener. I am eagerly awaiting my cookbook…..
Happy Holidays!
I’m guessing she’s using it as a sort of sling to more easily remove the loaf from the pan after baking.
I made this coffee cake yesterday and brought it into the office this morning. I kid you not… Disney gives it a rave review! I’ll probably gain a few just making these as gifts (and eating all the rejects :) )
Also, tried that thai place on sunset you recommended a few weeks back… pretty good, great wine! Always love your LA picks.
oh you tried Night+Market! their wine list is stellar! i’m glad you tried it! and yes yes yes! give Disney a high-five for me. thank you for the awesome comment!
Yes, Loved Night+Market :-) I definitely have requests for more food from my co-workers. Your blog is always full of the best things!
Quick question for you, if you get a minute:
My sister can’t eat saturated fats. No butter, no red meat, no dairy over 2%. I’m trying to make a variation on this bread replacing the butter with apple sauce, and possibly using one egg yolk and three egg whites. This should be an adventure… any suggestions on substitutes? I’m still trying to manipulate the crumble without butter, but that looks like it’s going to be a challenge. I’d take anything you’ve got!
could you use a mixture of vegetable shortening and apple sauce for the fat?
The idea of pecan coffee cake sounds flippin fantastic. I want a piece NOW.
When we were little kids and my mom went all out for holidays, she used to make a bread very similar to from a bon appetit cookbook. I tried to make my own for my friendsgiving last weekend and it turned out so dry I left it at home and brough some Bob Evans mashed potatoes instead. I still have cranberries leftover from the first try, I think I will give it another go and try this recipe instead.
The prices would have scared me out of there faster than the lack of realistic sized…I get most of my clothes at Goodwill.
Cake looks ridiculous. I love oranges and cranberries together. You just can’t beat it!
Made these beautiful loaves last night. Superb. Found my answer to the chopped cranberries issue right in the recipe. Did not see it the first time around. Memo to self…read recipe twice before asking questions!
You are brilliant. I’ve been making orange cranberry pecan bread for a million years, but adding streusel? And glaze?
I made this last night (I ran out of pecans so I just did them in the topping), and I added about 1/4 cup (if that) of brown sugar, because, in my warped brain, streusel isn’t streusel without brown sugar.
As a compulsive baker, there aren’t many things that provoke a “I-am-a-domestic-goddess” fist pump anymore- but the sight of these lovely loaves on my counter did. Oh, and they’re delicious.
Thank you so much for sharing- this will become a tradition!
In other news: hooray for real girls eating cake!
I’m nuts about that orange juicer. So cute! Crumble topping definitely makes everything better.
Joy,
you ROCK. you represent all of us women with strength, humor and just a touch of sass. This made my day. Thank you
I’m totally making this the minute I finish eating the salted caramel popcorn I made yesterday. Which to be honest will be in the next 20 minutes. I better go and preheat the oven. ps. thighs totally love cake and I’m cool with that!
You tell them boutique ding bats, lady! You make a great point – keeping only the tiny sizes out is demotivating to people who are interested in the clothing but don’t fit the mold. Not a great sales pitch on their end. Your cranberry orange coffee cake looks great! AND with pecans….I love how much orange juice you use and am very excited to make this for my family over the holidays!
“First things first: if youโre going to make one loaf of this coffee cake, you dang-sure might as well make two loaves. ”
LOVE IT!
I am immensely happy in my (size 12) body too! Ain’t nobody gonna stop me from eating cake!
I wear a size 4 and I totally agree with you – and kindly pass the cake :)
Just….YES.
I love you.
I just saw this very same recipe made by another foodblog (can’t remember who) using your recipe. I was salivating. Now, x2.
Between that gingerbread and this bread..I’ve got some baking to do! Thanks for sharing sooo many yummy things, Joy! And the pictures, they’re what keep me having to try out your recipes.
Bring me a slice of this cake now, please. And a hot cup of chickory scented coffee. And a light snowfall! Christmas!
Joy, I love you! You are spot-on. Appreciate the “real talk” — and the recipe.
No coffee was used in this cake, it it called coffee cake as its had with coffee??? Forgive me for being silly….:).
I already have so many ideas on how to use the crunchy topping, thanks once again for your great step by step pics.
Me too cant understand who buys stuff fr these pricey boutiques…duhhh.
Ugh, I hear you. Round bum and short legs = I cannot fit into any pair of pants that has been sewn in the last ten years. Not all of us are six foot tall models shaped like fence posts!
This bread is simply beautiful and I’m saving the recipe. Looks like it’s not all fatty and sugary the way most quick breads tend to be, so it’s on my short list. Thanks!
Hi there, I love your blog and have a BIG question. All of my friends here in LA wonder, where do you put all your delicious goodies after you’ve baked them? Do you give them away? Eat them all (we would)? We will happily relieve you of any treats laying around. We’re always wondering this.
lovely pictures! this cake looks so delicious!!!!
I am super excited to try this recipe! I looks delicious. I’ll have to strategically bake it so as to make sure there will be many mouths to help me eat it! :)
I like that your pans look like my pans :) imperfection = beauty!
I was feeling mega crappola for not getting into a pair of jeans which were my size today which were in a fancy pants shop, so YES for this post!! Whilst I’m at it – YES for cake & YES for my thighs!
Thank you Joy – again! x
I was searching your blog for an orange cranberry bread recipe last night. I couln’t find one so I went elsewhere. I made muffins. they were aiight, but this looks finger lickin good. I will just have to make more.
Oh my god yes. Once I was in a Levi’s store (Levi’s!!! not even some crazy designer jeans for supermodels) and asked if they had a certain jean in the equivalent of a size 8 and was told “That style doesn’t come in a size that big.” Um, seriously? I walked out feeling like Fatty McFatterson.
This cake looks lovely.
Love this! Looks so delicious – I love cranberries in quick breads, such a great pop of tart flavor!
I just made this today as I was looking for a recipe to use up both cranberries and oranges – perfect! I had extra orange juice left over, so I mixed it with some melted white chocolate chips and some powdered sugar, and then used that as my glaze. Its all so delicious! My husband’s coworkers are going to have very happy tummies tomorrow! :-)
you are AMAZING!
Joy! This post resonates. How come I can’t be hip and stunning in a size 8? Scratch that. I can. I guess I would never pay $300 for a shirt anyways. :)
Now on to the real resonating – this coffee cake looks amazing! I’d rather have this with a friend than a new wardrobe.
You know, I”m not even sure how those obscenely priced stores stay in business. My suspicions are that the owners are super rich women purely in business to make clothing for themselves and their friends. The storefront is purely for outward appearances. anyway…….cake!
there is absolutely nothing about this cake that i don’t like. except the fact that it is not sitting in front of me right now. i plan to remedy that immediately.
Dear Joy-of-the-Michelle-Obama-strong-and-fit-gorgeous-arms. F the snotty girl-dissing boutique.
I hope you will be happy in the knowledge that this coffee cake will be birthday breakfast for my daughter AND my niece tomorrow.
also, i meant to comment on the boutique thing but those final product pics totally sidetracked me. that is *actually* outrageous. i already grumble to anyone who will listen about how i regularly have to pull a size 4, 6, AND 8 when trying on anything (why are women’s sizes so arbitrary?!)…but that boutique is just appalling. it shouldn’t be embarrassing to have to ask for a size larger than a 6. the average woman is larger than a size 6! ugh. that’s LA for ya! :-P
Yum-a-lumpcious! :D And even worse?! Abercrombie and Fitch displays usually from size 00 – 6! 00, people! Way to make even a size 4/6 like me feel bad about my weight! Really, it needs to stop. Thanks for standing up (and offering cake topped with glaze, which is a kind of one-size-fits-all solution to life). :D
i’ve been eying a lot of cranberry recipes to replace my family’s trusty standby of a holiday gift (the classic, yet boring, cranberry bread loaf)….. and this is BY FAR my favorite i’ve seen. i love cranberry and orange together, and that crumble topping looks out of this world!!!
Orange and cranberry together tastes super festive! And yes, crumb topping makes everything better.
Hi Joy…love your blog. Quiick question for you, are you measuring the cranberries whole or after they are chopped? Appreciate your response when you have time.
i chopped the cranberries and then measured them.
Oh man. I feel you, girl.. Stop trying to make me have to cram my thighs into size six pants! It’s uncomfortable..
This totally reminded me of that scene from Mean Girls where they are shopping at that store titled “1,3,5”.
Also, that cake looks amazing. I am truly scared as to what is going to happen when I get my hands on some Cup4Cup flour. I got your cookbook for my birthday and plan on trying to make it all gluten free. Chomp. I am definitely going to be needing some bigger pants. ;)
One of the BEST things about living in the south is that our cute boutiques know how much we love our quick breads, friend chicken and grits!
This one sounds amazing (as usual!).
Soooo, how many of these should I eat at one time?
ahhhhh … ms. joy … as a size 14/16 woman, walking into quaint, expensive boutique stores aren’t even an option if i actually want to do some shopping for myself. and watching my nieces obsess over how tiny they need to be to fit the trends and be “attractive” is infuriating. there needs to be a change that we – as women – create; one that not only acknowledges that most women are NOT size 0/2/4 … but also validates and values the beauty of women are all sizes.
oh! and coffee cake makes this life a little sweeter … =)
what a wonderful post! love the recipe. streusel really does make everything better :)
This makes me wanna bake it right NOW!! Yummy!
Oooh, girl, you beat me to it! I was dreaming of cranberry and orange muffins this weekend because I have some pesky fresh cranberries and buttermilk to use up. I think I’ll still give those a go. If anything you’ve only made them more tempting ;)
xo,
Ashley
I ‘ve always loved your blog and that you respond to many of the comments left here. I’ve certainly been in your shoes in a fancy schmancy boutique, felt completely out of place, and left feeling like I could never understand the business logic behind a boutique that carries sizes for literally about 10% of women. It’s always reassuring to know I’m not alone!
The recipe looks delish! May be my homemade Christmas treat this year!
I love quick breads and using orange juice in them. I put orange juice in my pumpkin bread and it makes such a difference. I will try this recipe.
Perfect flavor combinations! I love coffee cake. I would probably even be gluttonous enough to triple the crumb topping.
Why we have that kind of problems on the clothing boutiques? Ok, years and years ago I was 4, but now, with two kids and one blog, I could be very lucky if I can wear an 8. Each time I go to that kind of stores and I have to ask for a size bigger that 4, they start looking me and I can read in their faces…why you are here if your size is bigger that 4?
Anyway, I love your recipe and will eat both coffee cakes, no matter is my size will turn to 10…ho,ho,ho…
Love your post. How did body size/image/expectations get so screwed up in this country? And this looks absolutely heavenly.
I love your bread pans. Do you have a source?
xo
the bread pans just come from a restaurant supply store.
I like your attitude, lady.
I also like your cake. Can’t wait to try this one out (and to meet you this weekend!).
Fresh cranberries forever.
Reminds me of the scene in Pretty Woman at the dress shop.
This bread looks fantastic. I’d like some tips from your awesome pie baking dad. My crusts never ever turn out and we aren’t getting back together EVER.
I love cranberry and orange together…this coffee cake looks amazing!
I am loving the things coming out of your loaf pans these days. This looks like a beaut!
I enjoyed this post so very much! “I actually eat cake and I’m totally okay with that.” Love it!
F YOUR BOUTIQUES! But this cake…I’m into it, as in, I’m making it ASAP.
Sounds like you had a Pretty Woman shopping moment. All you wanted to do was shop!!! Not cool fancy boutique, not cool!
It looks like you took a big slice out of the middle before photographing this. Though, that could just be the parchment paper overlap line. I would not have judged. ;)
I’m so making this. It sounds heavenly and just what I need.
One thing is for sure Joy, you can make a heavenly coffee cake, eat it and feel completely satisfied, unlike those boutique sales associates. They’re wishing they were you right now! But this cake looks delicious, and just perfect for this time of year!
Good Morning Joy
Your blog is a “JOY” to read. You know you are wise beyond your years, right? I love the fact that at your young age you love what you do “bake & create yummy meals” and you don’t buy into the pressures of being super (unrealistic) stick thin. By the way, you look wonderful and how do you eat your creations and stay so fit?
Also, I love your sense of humor. Who would have thought someone would laugh while reading a food blog. Keep up the “fantastic job”! You bring a smile to my face everytime I read it.
Thank you Joy!
I would probably eat anything with a powdered sugar glaze over the top, but this bread looks great even without!
Hi Joy! This looks delicious! What is going on with that glaze! Can you give us the rundown! Also is there an approximate bake time you could share with us! Great recipe! Great Blog!
the recipe was missing a few things, wasn’t it!? fixed. thank you!
you are an amazing writer and your posts make my heart smile. i enjoy reading your words more than i enjoy cookie butter, and that’s saying something. the recipes and beautiful pictures are icing on the cake (pun totally intended). and the cat pictures, ohhhh the cat. keep on rocking with your bad self, joy. you are a pretty fantastic and inspiring woman. :)
When will stores realize that the average person is not a size 2. How would this taste with blueberries? Where do I get the glaze recipe? Love love love this!!!
Joy, this cake looks delish! One question – how long do you bake it? You say until golden…. but I’m a details kinda gal and I like to set my timer. Thanks! :)
about an hour. sorry! recipe amended!
haven’t baked for a while… and this puppy is crying out to me! beyond fabulous… love the crumb!
I love that this coffee cake does not use buttermilk, even though I have half a container sitting in my fridge hoping I find a recipe to use it in. The combination of orange juice and cranberries sounds divine and I’m so excited to make these :).
Your parents raised you right. It is so refreshing to hear, “I happen to be into this body that I inhabit”. Amen sister and what a fantastic message you are sending out to the world and your fellow woman, about loving yourself! I want more women like you in this world, so if I have daughter she can have role models like you to look up to. That got heavy–the cake looks delicious too! I’d have a to try a gluten free/dairy free version though!
i so appreciate you! and i think this cake would be delicious with a gluten-free flour mix and vegetable shortening instead of butter.
Thank you so much for sharing! I can not wait to go home at Christmas and make this for my dad. He is going to LOVE it!
Being a major fan of cranberries and sweet breads I really need to try this recipe out asap! Looks divine!
https://lyndajanecakes.blogspot.co.uk/
x
This looks amazing! Three of my favorite things all in one cake….it can’t get any better than that! :)
i love your little orange juicer, too sweet
ah! all the cranberry citrus recipes. i can’t stop bookmarking them. here’s hoping i actually accomplish making one of them before the holidays!
On a random note, I can’t wait for you to come to Boston for EAT Boutique! You have no idea how many times I have used your recipes. While you’re in the city I strongly suggest you check out Flour Bakery!
Best,
Meg
Hi, I love your blog, and I love your quick bread recipes
What can you use instead of cranberries?, ’cause cranberries are virtually impossible to get where I live
Thanks!
blueberries would be lovely!
Looking at the pictures brightened my day I bet actually baking and eating these loaves lifts the spirit.
joy, looks like there is a glaze situation on those loaves, but it’s not in the recipe. is it just icing sugar + OJ?
ditto. I need to know about the glaze! please advise Joy!
I am SO baking this when I go home for Christmas!
I loved your post today, loved the recipe and loved the story of the tiny sizes boutique. I will take Zara and coffee cake over fancy boutiques any day. As I was reading the recipe I could almost smell the coffee cake… Yum!
I love making loaves! I will definitely be cooking this up this weekend for a nice breakfast. I just put up my Christmas tree and stockings, so this will be a lovely way to enjoy the Christmas cheer!
This looks amazing and I love the atmosphere of your wintery kitchen.
Haven’t seen fresh cranberries here in Chile, but I might give it a go with rasberries.
Thanks as always Joy!
raspberries might give you bread a blue tint (because of the baking powder reaction to the fruit). blueberries would be lovely!
Yum! I’m excited to make this. Always looking for more quick bread recipes to feed my regular-sized body.
Oh Joy, this is just amazing, looks like cranberries will be placed on my shopping list!
Always looking for a new bread recipe and this one looks so yummy and different.
adahliavolk.com
The perfect holiday treat.
I will have to give this a try, my kids love cranberries. I might have to omit the pecans, they claim that they do not care for them, but then again maybe i won’t.
Thanks for the recipe.
this looks awesome! love this twist of flavours!
this looks amazinggg. cranberry + orange is one of my favorite flavor combinations. do you think I could turn this into muffins? :D
This looks scrumptious. First thing I’m making when I get home for Christmas. Coffee cake is my favorite kind of cake because it’s totally okay to eat it at 10:30 in the morning.
This looks insanely delicious!
As a 16 year old baker who is currently in recovery from an eating disorder, this post really means a lot to me. It IS possible to have a passion for food, while still maintaining a healthy body, without even truly depriving yourself. Thank you so much, Joy!
love you, girl! so much.
The clue is in the name Natalie, JOY the baker and that is a healthy way of looking at food, well done x
Love this recipe. I’m going to give it a go for sure.
Best wishes from a size 10 girl living in a size zero world across the pond.
Kate
x
giiiirrrlll… i love you back!
Yes, it has been a while that I fit into a 0, 2 or 4 sizes and where do they come up with these sizes? I always thought that someone should come up with a boutique called thirty something like the show then follow with a forty something shop. O.K. how you know I am passed that age. But when I shop the racks are filled with cute little girlie clothes for the age of sixteen or for the age of the elderly. I am in between so on that note please pass the coffee cake. That should stop my rambling. Like the recipe. Paulette
I found myself in one of those fancy schmancy tiny lady stores too…i don’t know how I ended up there but I did and lets just say im nowhere near a size 4. I however did not have your confidence to leave without buying something…i was so embarrassed by the whole experience I bought stupid scarf that I’ve only worn like twice in the years I’ve had it just to prove to the tiny sales girl I could find something ..im a sad sad case. Pass the loaf please!
I know what everyone on my list is getting this Christmas. What a gorgeous looking cake. I think I’d struggle to give it away though!
I don’t know which part of this post I love more- the shopping part or the baking part! For the first:: I am living in Paris right now, which is totally awesome except for the shopping part. The boutiques hang just a few clothes out on the racks, in Barbie sizes, and then you pull one out and they give you the once-over to see what (enormous) size they need to bring from the back. So humiliating.
For the second: This cake sounds perfect. When I get back to the land of cranberries and pecans, I am whipping this puppy out. Hooray!
This is what I call a serious and solid coffee cake. It has everything one wants about it.
It’s definitely going in my next to-do list
Cranberries and oranges, perfect flavors. And it’s nice to know this is one of your fave quick breads. I can see why! I love the crumb topping and drizzle of glaze, too :)
What a gorgeous loaf! Cranberries and fresh orange juice sound simply irresistible! I thought it contained coffee too but I assume a coffee loaf is for consuming with a good cup of the dark stuff much like a teacake is generally for serving with tea? :)
Wow, looks so delicious and very pretty & festive too!!
Oh, how I hate those boutiques. At my smallest (when people were concerned that I might be anorexic) I was an 8, and I was down from a 50 lb loss. So deflating to go to a shop and realize you still can’t fit into anything because you are tall and have womanly features. I definitely couldn’t have eaten this delicious looking cake trying to maintain a size 8. And life is to short to forgo coffee cake.
Good for you – what’s with those places that set everyone that enters them up for totally false expectations about what size they should wear? I’ll take a slice of this cake and Zara any day over a $300 shirt!
cranberry and orange! delicious combo. And why are you not 5000 lbs?!
It looks like it would go perfectly with big foamy cappuccino. And psssh to the boutiques with only sizes 0-4. Don’t they know that beautiful and fit women can come in all sizes!? Whatever!
2 things: Why is the parchment folded under the bread? And two, does this work with dried cranberries?
the parchment paper is folded slightly just to fit in the pan. dried cranberries would totally work, they just won’t be juicy like pictured above.
Thanks for the answer. It’s hard to get ample supply of fresh cranberries at a reasonable price over here in Budapest. Thanks Joy.
whoa! Budapest! this blows my mind.
cranberry + orange is my favorite. add pecans plus that topping and i’m in coffee cake heaven!