Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try this Costco-style cranberry walnut bread recipe! I’ve been obsessed with recreating that perfect bakery texture at home ever since I first tasted their version during a rushed grocery run. You know those mornings when you’re grabbing coffee and suddenly spot something irresistible in the bakery section? That was me with their cranberry walnut loaf – sweet, tangy, and packed with crunchy nuts. After dozens of test batches (and way too many “quality control” slices), I finally nailed down a simple version you can make in your own kitchen. The best part? No membership card required!
Why You’ll Love This Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe
Listen, this isn’t just another bread recipe—it’s your new secret weapon for:
- Quick mornings: Throw it together faster than your coffee brews
- Pantry staples: Uses ingredients you probably already have
- That bakery magic: Crisp crust, tender crumb, and bursts of tart cranberries
- Versatility: Equally amazing toasted with butter or as French toast
- Freezer-friendly: Slice and stash for emergency carb cravings
Trust me, one whiff of this baking and you’ll swear you’re in Costco’s bakery aisle!
Ingredients for Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread
Here’s the beautiful simplicity of this recipe – just grab these pantry staples (I bet you have most already!):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled, please! No packed flour here
- 1 cup granulated sugar – though I sometimes sneak in brown sugar for extra depth
- 1 tsp baking powder – make sure yours’s fresh (test it if it’s been sitting)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda – our little rising helper
- 1/2 tsp salt – don’t skip this flavor booster!
- 3/4 cup orange juice – fresh squeezed if you’re feeling fancy
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil – or melted butter for extra richness
- 1 large egg – room temp works best
- 1 cup dried cranberries – I like the sweetened ones for that Costco-style pop
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts – toast ’em first for maximum flavor
See? Nothing weird or hard-to-find – just honest ingredients that make magic together.
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry—no fancy gadgets required! Just grab:
- A trusty 9×5 inch loaf pan (the classic for bakery-style bread)
- Mixing bowls – one big, one small
- Measuring cups and spoons – eyeballing leads to sad bread
- A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
- Toothpick or skewer for testing doneness
That’s it! Now let’s get baking.
How to Make Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread
Okay, let’s get baking! This comes together so easily – just follow these simple steps for that perfect bakery-style loaf:
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
First, grab your biggest mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there aren’t any little baking powder clumps hiding in there – we want everything evenly distributed!
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the orange juice, oil, and egg until completely smooth. Now pour this into your dry ingredients and stir just until combined – don’t overmix! A few lumps are totally fine.
Step 3: Fold in Cranberries and Walnuts
Here comes the fun part! Gently fold in those gorgeous dried cranberries and toasted walnuts. I like to reserve a handful to sprinkle on top before baking for extra visual appeal.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and pop it in a 350°F oven for 50-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Pro tip: If the top starts browning too quickly, tent it with foil!
Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. I know it’s tempting, but resist cutting right away – this resting time helps set the crumb perfectly.
Tips for the Best Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread
Here are my hard-earned secrets for bakery-worthy results every time:
- Toast those walnuts! Just 5 minutes in a dry skillet transforms their flavor
- Patience pays: Let the bread cool completely before slicing – I know it’s tough!
- Orange zest magic: Add a tablespoon to the batter for extra citrus punch
- Storage hack: Keep a slice in the microwave for 10 seconds – tastes freshly baked
- Flour trick: Toss cranberries and walnuts in flour first so they don’t sink
These little touches make all the difference between good bread and “Oh wow!” bread.
Variations for Your Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread
One of my favorite things about this recipe? How easily you can make it your own! Try these fun twists:
- Nut swap: Pecans or almonds work beautifully instead of walnuts
- Berry bonanza: Mix in some chopped dried apricots with the cranberries
- Citrus boost: Add 1 tbsp orange zest to the batter for extra brightness
- Spice it up: A teaspoon of cinnamon makes it extra cozy
- Whole wheat: Substitute half the flour with whole wheat for a heartier loaf
Don’t be afraid to play around – that’s how the best kitchen creations happen!
Serving and Storing Your Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread
Here’s the scoop on keeping your cranberry walnut bread tasting freshly baked! At room temp, it stays perfect for about 3 days in an airtight container – if it lasts that long! For longer storage, slice and freeze in a ziplock bag. When a craving hits, just pop a frozen slice straight in the toaster – it’ll taste like it just came out of the oven. My family loves it lightly toasted with a smear of cream cheese or warmed with a pat of melting butter. The walnuts get extra crunchy, and the cranberries turn even juicier – absolute heaven!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads up – these numbers are estimates since brands and exact measurements can vary. Each slice packs about 180 calories with that perfect combo of tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts. Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Oh, I’ve tried this! Fresh cranberries are too tart and watery for this recipe – they’ll make your bread soggy. Stick with dried cranberries for that perfect Costco-style texture. If you’re desperate, soak fresh ones in simple syrup first, but honestly? Not worth the extra work.
Why did my bread sink in the middle?
Been there! Usually means we got overexcited with the mixing. Overworked batter = dense bread. Also check your baking powder’s freshness – old stuff won’t give you that nice rise. And never open the oven door before at least 45 minutes – that rush of cold air is a bread killer!
Can I make this without nuts?
Absolutely! Just skip the walnuts if allergies are a concern. The bread will still be delicious, though I sometimes add extra cranberries or even chocolate chips to make up for the missing crunch. Your kitchen, your rules!
Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe: Irresistible 7-Step Copycat
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple recipe for Costco-style cranberry walnut bread, perfect for breakfast or snacks.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan.
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Add orange juice, oil, and egg. Stir until combined.
- Fold in cranberries and walnuts.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool before slicing.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze slices for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: costco cranberry walnut bread, homemade bread recipe, cranberry walnut loaf