Midnight Grace Bread (Citrus & Cranberry Loaf)

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A softly sweet, golden loaf filled with light, color, and quiet joy.

🌿 Introduction

Some recipes feel like they were meant for winter mornings — gentle, fragrant, and a little bit luminous. This Midnight Grace Bread is one of those. With bright citrus, tart cranberries, and a buttery crumb, it’s the kind of bread that makes the whole kitchen smell like peace.

I first baked it one night just before Christmas, long after the dishes were done and the house was quiet. The simple act of stirring together flour, zest, and fruit felt like a prayer — slow, grounding, and full of gratitude. When I pulled it from the oven, golden and glistening, it reminded me that grace often shows up after dark — soft, steady, and ready to rise.

This loaf is humble, beautiful, and deeply comforting — perfect for gifting, sharing, or savoring with your favorite cup of tea.

💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tender, buttery crumb with bright citrus flavor.
• Sweet-tart cranberries that taste like winter sunshine.
• Perfect for breakfast, gifting, or a quiet evening treat.
• Keeps beautifully — even better the next day.
• Freezes well and makes a stunning addition to holiday platters.

🕰️ Quick Reference Snapshot

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50–55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)
Skill Level: Easy
Equipment: Loaf pan, whisk, mixing bowl
Dietary Info: Vegetarian

🍊 Ingredients

(US + Metric)

• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (115 g) butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 mL) milk or orange juice
• 1 cup (100 g) fresh or frozen cranberries (halved)

Optional Glaze:

• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp orange juice

🌱 Seasonal Swaps

• Substitute lemon or grapefruit for orange.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
• Swap cranberries for blueberries or diced apples for a gentler flavor.

🌿 From My Garden

Citrus doesn’t grow easily in my zone, but I’ve always loved how its scent can lift even the grayest day. I keep a small potted lemon tree on the porch — a little reminder that brightness can take root anywhere. And the rosemary I sometimes add to this bread? Straight from the garden, clipped in gratitude.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Prepare the Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs, orange zest, and vanilla.
5. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing just until combined.
6. Fold in cranberries gently.

Bake

1. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
2. Bake 50–55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
3. Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Finish

1. Whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled loaf for a festive shine.

🍽 Serving & Pairing Suggestions

• Slice and serve with Mulled Pomegranate & Apple Cider for cozy evenings.
• Pair with Savory Herb Scones for a brunch board.
• Add to a dessert spread with Romanian Cozonac and Pear & Thyme Upside-Down Cake.
• Toast a slice and spread with butter or Spiced Cranberry-Orange Chutney.

🥡 Storage & Make-Ahead

• Keeps 3–4 days at room temperature, tightly wrapped.
• Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
• Glaze just before serving for best texture.

✨ Final Thoughts

This bread is named Midnight Grace because it feels like what happens in the quiet — the rising, the soft transformation, the gentle sweetness that comes from waiting.

It’s a reminder that light doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful, and that what we create in stillness often becomes the most lasting joy. 🍊💛

🤝 Community & Connection

• Instagram — Daily garden moments & behind-the-scenes; tag your dish so I can cheer you on! 🌿📸
• Subscribe — Fresh recipes, seasonal tips, and printable freebies delivered weekly. ✉🍂
• Join FB Group — Ask questions, swap ideas, and share what’s growing with a kind, garden-loving community. 🌱🫶

🛒 Favorites from My Kitchen to Yours

(Some of these links are affiliate links. That simply means if you decide to order, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Southern Soil Sunshine—it helps me keep sharing recipes from my kitchen and garden with you. 💛)

• Loaf pan — for perfect bakes and golden edges.
• Microplane zester — to capture every bit of citrus brightness.
• Cooling rack — for that flawless glaze finish.

🌻 Related on Southern Soil Sunshine

• [Romanian Cozonac (Sweet Walnut Bread)] — Another holiday bake with heart.
• [Spiced Cranberry-Orange Chutney] — A tangy complement to this loaf.
• [Savory Herb Scones with Garden Jam] — A perfect breakfast pairing.
• [Pear & Thyme Upside-Down Cake] — Gentle and fragrant for tea time.
• [Mulled Pomegranate & Apple Cider] — The perfect warm sip to serve alongside.