The recipe for how to make Sugar Free Cranberry Bread Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by thesugarfreediva. · This post may contain affiliate or amazon links.

A lower sugar cranberry bread recipe that is easy to make.

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I like kicking off the holiday season with this (low) Sugar Free Cranberry Bread Recipe.
The only sugar that is added to this comes from the cranberries themselves.

(low) Sugar Free Cranberry Bread Recipe

This really is the only time of the year that we seem to eat cranberry bread. I am sure this has something to do with the fact that cranberries are harvested just in time for the holidays. Also, cranberries are that beautiful red color that we love to see during the holidays as well.

Cranberries are kind of an odd fruit.
Most of the fruits that we enjoy seem to grow during the summer on a tree. We harvest, or pick, those fruits at the end of summer by simply picking them off that tree. Not cranberries though. If you know something about them, Cranberries take a bit more time to grown and they are grown on low-lying vines lying in a specific kind of a bed called a 'bog'. When you are ready to harvest cranberries we flood that bog with water the night before they are harvested. You have probably seen that commercial on TV of the fellas standing in a flooded bog harvesting their cranberries. Thus, growing cranberries is a bit of a task.

Ironically, cranberries do not contain a whole lot of natural sugar.
One cup of cranberries has about 4 grams of sugar. This recipe calls for one and a half cups total- making it about six grams total of sugar.

The ingredients in this recipe.

As you may already know, cranberry bread is commonly made with orange juice. You could use orange juice in this recipe however, keep in mind that the orange juice will add sugar. If you are wanting to keep this as low sugar as possible you can either look for orange juice that is as low in sugar (pulp free is usually better at this) as possible (read the label as there could be sugar added to your orange juice) or use a substitute. There are orange juice substitutes online that you can try in this recipe. You may risk some of the true taste of cranberry bread however, you will also lower the amount of sugar that you consume which could make it worth it to you. Orange flavored Vitamin Zero water is one substitute that I like to use.

We will also be using sugar alternative.
Cranberry bread has a bit of sugar in it by nature. This helps off-set the taste of the cranberries. You can use the sugar alternative of your choice as long as it is used in an amount that is equivalent to what is mentioned in the recipe. Also,a granular sugar alternative that can be used in baking works best. Hence, you can choose the sugar alternative that works best for you when you bake.

The recipe for (low) Sugar Free Cranberry Bread Recipe

What you will need to make this recipe.

  • Flour- 2 cups.
  • Sugar alternative- 1 cup equivalent to sugar.
  • Baking soda- ½ teaspoon.
  • Baking powder- 1 ½ teaspoons.
  • Salt- 1 teaspoon.
  • Orange Juice or alternative- ¾ cup (see post for alternative ideas).
  • Butter- 3 tablspoons softened.
  • Egg- 1.
  • Chopped Cranberries- 1 ½ cups
  • Optional items:Grated orange peel (1 tablespoon) or zest (1 teaspoon), raisins or similar fruit (1 cup), and/or chopped nuts (¾ cup).

How to make (low) Sugar Free Cranberry Bread

  • Preheat your oven to 350 and prep your loaf pan for nonstick.
  • In a mixing bowl, mix together your flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  • Add your orange juice (or alternative), butter and egg to the mixing bowl and continue to mix. If you are using zest or peel, add it in this step and mix.
  • Now fold in your cranberries and any additional fruit or nuts that you are adding to your batter.
  • Bake the bread for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack before your serve it.

The recipe for how to make Sugar Free Cranberry Bread Recipe (3)

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3.99 from 88 votes

(low) Sugar Free Cranberry Bread Recipe

A lower sugar cranberry bread recipe that is easy to make.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 1 loaf

Ingredients

  • Flour- 2 cups.
  • Sugar alternative- 1 cup equivalent to sugar.
  • Baking soda- ½ teaspoon.
  • Baking powder- 1 ½ teaspoons.
  • Salt- 1 teaspoon.
  • Orange Juice or alternative- ¾ cup see post for alternative ideas.
  • Butter- 3 tablspoons softened.
  • Egg- 1.
  • Chopped Cranberries- 1 ½ cups
  • Optional items:Grated orange peel 1 tablespoon or zest (1 teaspoon), raisins or similar fruit (1 cup), and/or chopped nuts (¾ cup).
  • How to make low Sugar Free Cranberry Bread

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 and prep a loaf pan for nonstick.

  • In a mixing bowl, mix together your flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

  • Add the orange juice (or alternative), butter and egg to the mixing bowl and continue to mix if using zest or peel, add it in this step.

  • Now fold in the cranberries and any additional fruit or nuts that you are adding.

  • Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

Recipe Notes

See post for details about substitutions etc.

most recently updated:

December 6, 2017

*About Sugar Alternatives

Specific sugar alternatives are not given in the recipes presented on this site. Only suggestions are given as to the 'kind' of alternative to use. It is up to you to select the alternative to use that suits your needs best. If the recipe is heated or cooked, it is best to use an alternative that can be heated or cooked with for best results. This site does not endorse any specific ingredients,

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g

Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!

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A Reformed Sugar Addict turned author and restaurant owner.The recipe for how to make Sugar Free Cranberry Bread Recipe (4)The Sugar Free Diva is also a happy dog owner, chocolate lover, and discreet handbag hoarder.

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The recipe for how to make Sugar Free Cranberry Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What if I add too much water to cranberry sauce? ›

What to do if the cranberry sauce is too thin or loose. If you inadvertently added too much water, simply bring the cranberry sauce back to the stove top and bring it to a low boil, cooking it down just a bit to help thicken it up.

What happens if you cook cranberry sauce too long? ›

If your cranberry sauce is too thick, it's most likely overcooked. When you cook cranberries (or any berries), they burst, releasing pectin—a natural thickener. The key to a perfect consistency is to allow some but not all of the cranberries to split open—something you'll achieve with less time on the stove.

Why is my cranberry jelly not thickening? ›

Try reducing the sauce down even further so more of the liquid cooks off and the mixture thickens. If that doesn't work, add a thickener like gelatin, pectin or a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch whisked into juice or water). Let the sauce cool before refrigerating to completely set.

How long does it take for cranberry sauce to thicken? ›

Reduce heat to a simmer and continue to cook cranberries, stirring occasionally, 10-15 minutes or until all or most berries have burst (careful, there is some splatter) and the mixture is slightly reduced. The longer you cook your cranberries the thicker your mixture will be, but it will also thicken up after standing.

How do you fix too much sugar in cranberry sauce? ›

The sauce acts as a cleansing port in a tumultuous storm of fat and salt, but the effect is lost if the sauce is too sweet. Luckily, there is a very easy way to fix an over-sugared homemade sauce: You just need a little citric acid. Sure, you could add lemon, but that brings its own, cranberry-obscuring flavor.

What role do sugar and water play in making cranberry sauce? ›

Instead, the pectin polymers will bind to each other, giving the cranberry mixture more and more structure. The sweet sugar-water molecules get trapped in between the pectin chains, resulting in a tasty cranberry sauce!

How long is canned cranberry sauce good for after expiration date? ›

As long as an unopened can of cranberry sauce is stored in a consistently cool pantry, it'll keep and taste good for at least a year beyond the date stamped on the can. (That date is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the cranberry sauce will remain at peak quality and is not a safety-related expiration date.)

Can dogs eat cranberries? ›

Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to feed to dogs in small quantities. Whether your dog will like this tart treat is another question. Either way, moderation is important when feeding cranberries to dogs, as with any treat, as too many can lead to an upset stomach.

Are cranberries good for you? ›

The Bottom Line. Cranberries are widely consumed dried, as a juice, or in supplements. They're a good source of a few vitamins and minerals — and exceptionally rich in several unique plant compounds. Some of these compounds may help prevent UTIs, stomach cancer, and heart disease.

How do you thicken jelly without sugar? ›

Add pectin.

Whisk a tablespoon of powdered pectin (preferably the no-sugar-needed variety) into the pot of cooking jam. Test for thickness and add another tablespoon if needed.

Why is cranberry jelly upside down? ›

The cans are "filled and labeled upside down with the rounded edge on top and the sharp can-like edge on the bottom to keep the jelly whole." This creates an air bubble vacuum on the rounded side (the top) so customers "can swipe the edge of the can with a knife to break the vacuum and the log will easily slide out."

Why does my cranberry sauce taste bitter? ›

Dear Evelyn: I had the same problem when I first started making my own cranberry sauce. I found out that you should cook them just until they pop. Further cooking will make them bitter, and once that happens, you need to start again.

How do you get the bitter taste out of cranberry sauce? ›

"Instead, start by stirring in one tablespoon maple syrup and one teaspoon of a sweet drink like apple juice, orange juice, or fruity white or red wine. Add more to taste. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt (in small amounts, it intensifies sweetness)."

Does homemade cranberry sauce thicken when it cools? ›

Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.

How to improve cranberry sauce? ›

Adding a teaspoon or two of fresh lemon or orange zest, a tablespoon of chopped candied peel, or even a splash of juice to your canned sauce will brighten flavors and bring in some homemade flavor.

How do you remove excess water from sauce? ›

Get rid of it with science! Let the excess liquid evaporate away by bringing the substance to a boil or a simmer until the desired consistency is reached. This method is great for sauces – including a quick pan sauce created after cooking a protein – and gravies that are only marginally looser than desired.

How do you thicken cranberry sauce after it cools? ›

The sauce will thicken as it cools. If you want a cranberry mold that holds its shape, continue to boil the mixture so that more pectin is released from the fruit, additional water evaporates, and the sauce becomes thick enough to set into a firm gel.

Is it OK to dilute cranberry juice with water? ›

Another study showed that drinking 300 cc's (300cc's = 10 ounces of cranberry co*cktail per day was also effective. Cranberry Juice co*cktail contains 140 calories per 8 ounces, but a low calorie form is available. Cranberry juice can be diluted with water also for lower calories.

How do you fix too tart cranberry sauce? ›

Try A Softer Sweetener

It's already liquid so it will stir right into the cranberry sauce, lending it a gentle sweetness. If you don't have maple syrup (pancake syrup WILL NOT do, y'all), try honey or a more neutral sweetener like agave syrup, brown rice syrup, or even simple syrup.

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