Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread Recipe

Sweet, tangy, and perfectly soft, this Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread Recipe is what holiday dreams are made of. Studded with bright cranberries and rich chocolate chips in every bite, it’s so good you’ll be making it all year long! 

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread

Nothing says the holiday season like fresh cranberries! They’re always so pretty in the store but can be pretty intimidating to cook with beyond making cranberry sauce. 

However, if you’re willing to get a little brave, cranberries make a lovely addition to a variety of recipes like muffins, cakes, and bread! Their sweet, tart flavor pairs fabulously with citrus, chocolate, and nuts, making it a super festive option that packs in a punch of nutrients, too. 

Naturally, we paired them with chocolate, and the combination could not have been any better! Even better, this cranberry bread recipe is super quick to make and bakes in an hour. It’s great to serve as a breakfast, snack, or dessert, especially when paired with bone broth hot chocolate. However, we also love to wrap it up and give it away as gifts! 

Recipe Ingredients 

Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this cranberry bread recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details! 

• Flour – All-purpose flour forms the base of the bread. If needed, feel free to use a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour to keep this bread gluten-free. 
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Egg – We haven’t tested this recipe with egg substitutes and can’t guarantee your results if you do! 
• Vanilla Extract
• Sugar – We use regular granulated sugar for this recipe, but you can substitute a monk fruit sweetener if you want to reduce the refined sugar. 
• Buttermilk – Use store bought or homemade buttermilk. 
• Light Olive Oil – Avocado oil will also work. 
• Cranberries – Feel free to use fresh or frozen cranberries! Do NOT thaw frozen cranberries if that’s what you choose. If you do, they’ll become mushy, and the red color will bleed into the bread. Not appetizing. 
• Chocolate Chips – We use mini chocolate chips to ensure we get a little chocolate in every bite but regular-sized will also work. We use milk chocolate, but semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate will taste great! 

Helpful Tools 

• 9×5 Bread Pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons 
• Wire Rack

How to Make the Best Cranberry Bread Recipe 

1. Prepare. Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and grease a bread pan with non-stick cooking spray. 
2. Mix the dry ingredients. Add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl, and whisk to combine. 
3. Whisk the wet ingredients. In a second bowl, whisk the egg, vanilla, and sugar until well combined. Then, add the buttermilk and oil, and whisk until smooth. 
4. Combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients, and whisk just until smooth. Be careful not to overmix, or your bread will be tough! Fold in the cranberries and chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. 

5. Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and sprinkle more cranberries and chocolate chips on top. Transfer the bread to the oven, and bake until it’s very lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

Pro-Tip: Cover the bread loosely with foil about halfway through baking to ensure even browning. 

6. Cool. Let your bread cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before serving. 

Flavor Variations 

Feel free to get creative with different mix-ins and toppings to make this cranberry bread your own! For instance, chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans or orange juice and orange zest make great mix-ins. 

You can also add a vanilla powdered sugar glaze, lemon glaze, orange glaze, or powdered sugar on top. Or add a sprinkle of brown sugar on top of the bread before baking for extra sweetness. 

Common Questions

Did you enjoy this Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread Recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!