The zest thing since sliced bread! This delicious Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread is a blissful way to start your December and usher in the holidays. We use Plain Whole Milk Kefir as a core ingredient and mix it with flour, egg, and a little bit of brown sugar to create a loaf with a rich and fluffy consistency. The tangy orange zest and tart cranberries nestled in the bread give it a full, natural flavor while the sweet, warm streusel topping completes the experience.
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Actually Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school age years. In addition, kefir made from whole fat milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = a Healthy You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive system.
Ingredients
Streusel
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Loaf
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup Organic Plain Whole Milk Kefir
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1 cup cranberries, fresh
Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1–2 tbsp orange juice
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
- Make the streusel: Whisk the flour, sugar, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry cutter, your hands, or two forks until the mixture resembles pea-size crumbs. It’s important to keep the streusel cold, so place it in the refrigerator (covered or uncovered) until ready to use in step 4.
- Make the bread: Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until combined. Whisk in the kefir, oil, vanilla, and orange zest. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then whisk to completely combine. Avoid over-mixing. Fold in the cranberries.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Top evenly streusel, pressing the streusel down gently into the top of the bread so it sticks.
- Bake the bread for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cover loosely with foil about halfway through to ensure even browning. Poke the center of the bread with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the bread is done. Oven times will vary between ovens. My bread usually takes 1 hour. Cool bread completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk the confectioners’ sugar and orange juice together. Add more orange juice depending on how thick you want the glaze. Drizzle over cooled bread. Slice and serve.
