No Knead Cranberry Walnut Bread

There’s something special about a homemade loaf of cranberry walnut bread. The mix of tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and bright citrus flavors makes every bite feel like a treat. This recipe keeps things simple while using a few key ingredients to make it extra delicious. A flax egg helps bind everything together, while fresh orange juice and zest add a fresh, zesty twist. The result? A soft, flavorful bread with just the right balance of sweetness and crunch!

This loaf is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a light dessert. Toast up a slice and spread it with vegan butter, fresh jam, dairy-free cream cheese, or enjoy it just as it is. The fresh cranberries add little bursts of tartness, while the walnuts give it a toasty, nutty bite. Plus, the orange juice keeps it moist and flavorful without needing too much added sugar. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with friends, this cranberry walnut bread is sure to be a hit!

For more cranberry goodness, don’t miss out on this tangy cranberry smoothie or our classic easy cranberry sauce. If your mouth is watering for a bite of sweet and tangy goodness, let’s get baking!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Cranberry Walnut Bread

Baking your own bread is not only satisfying, but it’s also one of those activities that brings peace and comfort to your day. If family or friends take part in either the making or the eating of this bread, that’s even more reason to give it a try!

Easy and Enjoyable to Make. Mix the simple dry and wet ingredients together and you’re good to go. No need to knead! (he he)
Tangy, Slightly Sweet, and Heavenly. The combination of tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts is delightful. The perfectly balanced bread is not too sweet or too sour.
Excellent for Meal Prep. Make a day or two before and you’ll have a tasty ready-made breakfast or snack whenever hunger strikes.
Great for Breakfast, Snacks, or On-the-Go. All you need to do is slice and enjoy! This bread is incredible as is—warm, cool, or room temperature. Add a topping of choice, if desired. Our favorites include vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, thick jams, or even nut butter.
Free of Dairy, Eggs, and Preservatives. Because you’re baking this bread yourself, there’s no added chemicals or any animal products to be wary of. You can also swap out or substitute any ingredient that you are sensitive to for even more versatility.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Explore the heart of this cranberry walnut bread recipe with a closer look at its key ingredients, where the vibrant notes of cranberries and the rich texture of walnuts come together to elevate this simple, delightful snack:

Key ingredients for cranberry walnut bread with labels.

Cranberries – Add a bright pop of tartness that balance the sweetness of the bread. If using dried cranberries, soak them in warm water or orange juice for a few minutes to plump them up and reduce the amount of sugar to ½ (or ¾) of a cup instead. No cranberries? Chopped cherries or raisins can work, though they’ll be sweeter and less tart. FYI, cranberry-lovers will also adore these refreshing and festive cranberry smoothie and easy homemade cranberry sauce recipes!
Walnuts – Give the bread a rich, toasty crunch that contrasts with the soft crumb. They also add healthy fats and a slight earthiness that makes the cranberry flavor pop even more. Toasting them before adding to the batter brings out even more flavor! If you don’t have walnuts, try pecans for a similar crunch. Almonds or sunflower seeds could work too, though they’ll change the texture slightly.
Orange Juice – Adds a fresh citrusy brightness that makes the cranberries taste even better. It also adds a touch of natural sweetness, meaning you don’t have to use as much sugar. Also, the acidity helps keep the bread tender! Fresh-squeezed is best, but bottled works too. No orange juice? Try apple juice for a milder sweetness or simply plain water.
Orange Zest – Packs a ton of citrus flavor in just a little bit. Use a fine grater or zester to avoid the bitter white part of the peel. No oranges? Try lemon zest for a tangy twist or even a pinch of ground cinnamon for a warm, spiced flavor.
Flaxseeds – Helps hold everything together, making the bread moist and soft. It also adds a slight nutty flavor that pairs well with the walnuts. Bonus: It’s a great source of fiber and omega-3s! You could also use a store-bought egg replacer. You can swap out the flaxseeds (if needed) for mashed ripe banana, a powdered egg alternative, applesauce, or soaked chia seeds. Check out this vegan egg replacement guide for even more suggestions.

How To Make No Knead Cranberry Nut Bread

These simple steps are all you need to know to get started on this luscious loaf. Once you get the orange and flax egg prepped, everything else is a cinch. Just add to the bowl, mix, and bake. No need to knead!

Step 1: Prepare Orange Ingredients – Zest and juice the orange. Set aside the 3-4 tablespoons of juice and zest for later.

Step 2: Make the Flax Egg – Mix 3 tablespoons of warm water and 1 tablespoon of ground flaxmeal. Leave to thicken.

Step 3: Prep Oven – Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and grease the loaf pan. You can also line it with parchment paper.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients – Sift the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar together. Twice for best results. Make sure to incorporated fully.

Step 5: Blend Wet Ingredients – Into the same bowl, add in the wet ingredients of orange zest, orange juice, flax egg, melted vegan butter, vanilla, and boiling water. Stir well until the batter is smooth.

Bread batter with grated orange zest on top.

Step 6: Add in Extras – Measure out and add nuts and cranberries to the final mixture. Mix just enough to combine.

A bowl of bread batter with fruit on top.

Step 7: Optional Toppings and Bake – Sprinkle with optional chopped walnuts and dried cranberries. Place in oven and bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan and sit for at least an hour before removing the loaf and cutting the bread. (Note: Bread is even better the next day. It’s totally worth the wait.)

Walnut cranberry bread batter in a loaf pan.

Walnut cranberry bread batter in a loaf pan, topped with fruit.

Helpful Tips and Suggestions for Serving

The best part of making a fresh loaf of bread is deciding how to enjoy it! This cranberry walnut bread is very versatile, especially with ingredients. Here are our favorite tips on ways to swap ingredients and how to serve this bread most successfully:

Best Made Ahead – This wonderful walnut cranberry bread is even better the next day. Although it tastes delicious right out of the oven, the flavor and texture are best after resting for a day.
Toasted vs. Chilled – Sliced and toasted (with extra vegan butter) or eaten right from the fridge slathered with a sweet strawberry jam are both super tasty options. Toasted tastes best with a hot cup of tea, while chilled is perfect for taking it on-the-go or with a cool beverage.
Four Fruity Flavors – Instead of fresh (or dried) cranberries, try swapping for big juicy blueberries, sliced strawberries, peeled peach halves, or in-season chopped apples.
Go Nuts! – If walnuts aren’t your favorite, how about adding in slivered almonds, pistachios, macadamia nuts, or candied pecans? You could also add a sprinkling of chocolate chips or shredded coconut to the top before baking.
Pair with Cheese for a Fancy Snack – Slice it up and serve with creamy cheeses like vegan cream cheese or a mild vegan cheese log. The sweet-tart cranberries and nutty walnuts (like these sweet toasted walnuts!) balance beautifully with the smooth, rich flavors of the cheese. Add a handful of fresh grapes or apple slices for an extra touch of deliciousness!

Cranberry Walnut Bread FAQs

How do I store leftover cranberry walnut bread?

A freshly baked loaf of bread will keep fresh for up to a week at room temperature, up to two weeks in the refrigerator, or for 2-3 months in the freezer. Make sure to wrap the bread in freezer paper (or parchment paper) and add it to a sealed, freezer-safe container before freezing. Thaw in the fridge a day or two before serving the bread or slice carefully and warm in the toaster.

Can I make this vegan fruit nut bread gluten-free?

You sure can! We’ve tested this recipe with King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure and Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour with excellent results. Enjoy!

I’m on a low-fat diet. Can I leave out the butter in this nut bread recipe?

Definitely! Feel free to substitute 2 tablespoons of applesauce for the plant-based butter for a lower-fat version. The bread will still be moist, but you will cut down the amount of fat considerably. Another option is to replace the nuts in this recipe with more dried fruit.