Blackberry Orange Quick Bread

By Taste of Lime

This blackberry orange quick bread is so good, it can almost double as a dessert. As the name suggests, quick breads come together quickly, and take about an hour or so to bake. Because they’re made with a leavening agent, such as baking powder or baking soda rather than yeast, it eliminates the need for a rise. Most recipes I’ve read say to let the quick bread set overnight before slicing. However, I’ve never made one that’s lasted through the night, so I can’t attest to that theory.

Extra virgin olive oil gives this bread an aromatic, deep flavor, yet the texture is very light and tender. It adds a richness to quick breads and cakes that you can’t get from butter or other vegetable oils. Orange zest helps balance out the assertive flavor of the olive oil, while imparting a citrusy taste.

Fresh blackberries add an extra burst of natural sweetness. You can use frozen berries in this recipe too, but don’t thaw them. Cut the berries in half and fold them into the batter. The baking time will increase about 10 minutes.

A simple glaze drizzled over the top makes it even more dessert like. Although this is technically called a quick bread, it’s almost like a cake baked in a bread pan. It’s full of flavor, and in my opinion, makes an excellent causal dessert.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This quick bread is made with extra virgin olive oil for a healthy alternative to baking with butter or other vegetable oils. Olive oil is a good way to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and it’s also a good source of antioxidants and vitamin E.

Tip

We prefer a light-colored metal pan for quick breads because it bakes more evenly, but you can use other types of loaf pans, such as glass or ceramic.

Blackberry Orange Quick Bread

Servings: 12 slices
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Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spoon and sweep method of measuring)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 eggs
Zest from 1 large orange
6 ounces fresh blackberries, cut each berry in half (see note below if using frozen)
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped

For the Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter the bottom and 1/2-inch up the sides of an 8.5-x-4.5-inch (light metal) loaf pan.

Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, oil, eggs, and orange zest. Pour all at once into the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Gently fold in the nuts and blackberries. Spoon into your prepared baking pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the bread and turn it out onto the rack to continue cooling.

In a small bowl, stir together the milk and powdered sugar. Place a piece of wax paper or foil under the rack to catch any excess glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the bread while it’s still warm.

Note: Cut the frozen berries in half (don’t thaw them) and add to the batter. Increase the baking time to about 65 to 70 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.