The art of baking is a beautiful blend of science and creativity where knowledge and technique come together to produce mouth-watering delicacies.
As such, gaining a firm understanding of baking basics, such as the use of different techniques and ingredients including baking powder,
soda, and flour is of paramount importance.
The key to success in baking not just lies in knowing the right ingredients, but how these ingredients are mixed and the precise oven temperatures they are subjected to.
A prime example of baking at its finest is the delicious Cranberry Orange Bread recipe available on Sweet Peas Kitchen’s website, complete with a simple glaze topping.
As we delve into this recipe, we will explore its component steps, the required ingredients and their quantities, and the preparation of the simple glaze that adds a perfect finish to this delightful bread.
Understanding Baking Basics
Understanding Baking Ingredients: Powder, Soda and Flour
Baking powder and baking soda are key ingredients in many baking recipes, including the cranberry orange bread linked above.
These chemical leaveners help dough rise by producing gas when combined with liquids and heat.
Baking powder contains both an acid (cream of tartar) and a base (baking soda), which react together to create carbon dioxide bubbles.
This process is what gives baked goods their rise and lightness.
Single-acting baking powder reacts as soon as it’s mixed with liquid, while double-acting powder reacts once with liquid and again with heat.
Baking soda, on the other hand, needs an acidic ingredient (buttermilk, lemon juice, vinegar, or chocolate for example) to produce those gas bubbles.
It’s much more potent than baking powder so you generally need less of it.
Preparing the Simple Glaze
This recipe also involves creating a simple glaze that will be drizzled over the top of the Cranberry Orange Bread.
The glaze is made up of powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest. You will need to measure these ingredients according to the quantities listed.
The procedure to make the glaze is straightforward.
Combine powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a bowl, whisking until a smoother consistency is achieved.
Once your bread has cooled, the glaze is poured or drizzled over, adding a sweet and tangy flavor to complement the bread.
Ingredients
Essentials for the Bread:
1 1/2 cups + 1 extra tablespoon all-purpose flour for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup whole-milk yogurt unflavored
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons orange zest finely grated
A dash of pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups cranberries either fresh or thawed from frozen
Orange Elixir:
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Citrus Glaze:
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions: A Step-By-Step Guide
Instructions
Preparation: Fire up your oven to 350°F. Slather your 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with grease, followed by a coat of flour. Gently tap to remove excess.
Dry Mix: In a medium-sized bowl, sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Keep this concoction aside for a moment.
Yogurt Fusion: Unveil a large bowl. Briskly whisk yogurt, granulated sugar, eggs, orange zest, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil. Now, delicately introduce the sifted dry ingredients into this mix. Take it slow!
Berry Blend: Isolate the cranberries in a separate bowl. Sprinkle that extra tablespoon of flour on them. Fold these into the batter cautiously; we’re aiming for a harmonious fusion, not a mash-up!
Bake it Up: Transfer the final batter into your prepped loaf pan. Slide it into the oven for 50-55 minutes. Test with a toothpick—few moist crumbs sticking is your green light.
Orange Syrup Time: While your loaf plays it cool, head to the stove. In a small saucepan over medium flame, dissolve sugar into the orange juice. Let it bubble for an additional 3 minutes, then pull it off the heat.
Syrup Soak: Deploy a toothpick to pepper your loaf with tiny holes, top and sides. Drench the loaf with the syrup you’ve just concocted, applying a second coat after the first has sunk in.
Glaze Glory: For that final flourish, whisk confectioners’ sugar and orange juice together. This will form a thick, but manageable, glaze. Lavishly pour it over your loaf, allowing the sweet cascade to adorn the sides. Give it a quarter of an hour to set before you dive in.
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