Say hello to the incredible No Knead Cranberry Bread! Crusty on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, this artisan yeast bread filled with dried cranberries that requires no kneading, bread machine, or mixer.
And there’s more! This no knead cranberry bread recipe calls for only four ingredients, and very little effort to go along with it…making this cranberry bread the most ridiculously easy yeast bread you’ll ever make!
Great for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, any happy weekend when you feel like having a warm loaf of bread, or an afternoon snack.
Some of my other favorite yeast breads on the blog includes Milk Bread Rolls, Honey Butter Rolls, Cinnamon Raisin Rolls and Cheesy Garlic Rolls. Give them a try as well!
Cranberry Yeast Bread with dried cranberries
This No Knead Cranberry Yeast Bread recipe is a low-touch, easy-to-make, and delicious dried cranberry bread recipe that is a whole lot easier to make than it looks.
What I always tell people is that no knead cranberry bread is a bread recipe that pretty much just makes itself (and make itself super yummy, I might add), with a teeny tiny effort on your part.
It sounds almost too good to be true. BUT IT IS REAL – I promise!
One of my favorite things in the world is the smell of fresh bread. Just like the smell of coffee, when the the smell of fresh no knead cranberry bread fills my home, it makes my stomach and my heart very happy. And then I bite into the bread…and my day is made.
I was first introduced to the concept of making bread the “no-knead” way by none other than my mom.
My mom loves herself some freshly baked bread, or just bread in general. If breads were to give her all the nutrition she needs to survive, she will probably eat bread all day, every day!
When she and my dad visited us last October, she made no-knead cranberry bread based on a technique she learned from the internet.
I will admit I was skeptical at first, but then it tasted so good I wanted to make some myself after she left.
So I consulted the internet. Because duh, the internet knows everything.
The basis of this cranberry bread recipe with dried cranberries is inspired by this New York Times recipe. I made some modification, but the basic technique is all them. It is genius, because it simplifies bread-making and makes it so accessible to everyone.
What you will need
The things you need to make no knead cranberry bread (besides the ingredients) are
- Time: this is probably the biggest thing to take into consideration. You will need to plan ahead and give yourself about 24 hours before you’ll get delicious, fresh, hot-off-the-oven cranberry yeast bread.
- Dutch oven with lid: one that is at least 4.5 qt. The Dutch oven produces the best crust and overall texture; you can use a loaf pan, but try to find a lid that can cover it tightly.
- Parchment paper: to line the Dutch oven (or loaf pan).
- Wire rack: optional but helpful for cooling the bread.
- A bread-loving and patient heart: technically this is not required, but definitely a nice-to-have. 🙂
ingredients
To make no knead cranberry bread, you’ll only need four ingredients. Yes, FOUR. I was shocked to find out this is all there is to it. But it surely is.
- Bread flour: the ideal flour to use when making yeast breads. It yields a chewier and more structured product, so perfect for bread making. All-purpose flour can be used in a pinch, but the texture will be less desirable.
- Salt: our favorite flavor enhancer!
- Instant yeast: this comes in either small envelope packets or in bottled form. Instant yeast works a lot better than active dry yeast for this no knead cranberry bread recipe.
- Dried cranberries: brings bites of sweetness and tartness to the cranberry bread. I love finding surprising bites of dried cranberries all over! Or use another dried fruit or nuts such as raisins, dried apricot, pecans etc. (See Variations and Substitutions section below for more ideas.)
Let’s Make No Knead Cranberry Bread
Disclaimer! It takes up to 24 hours from the time you start making no knead cranberry bread to the time it is done.
So if you are in a big hurry to consume bread, cranberry yeast bread may not be the best recipe for you. Check out some quick bread recipes instead, like this Apple Cinnamon Bread or this Blueberry Bread with Crumb Topping.
Or, if you want yeast breads that will take just a few hours (instead of up to 24 hours), I’ve got some good ones for you. Cheesy Garlic Rolls and Honey Butter Rolls are some of my favorite breads to make as well!
Even though no knead cranberry bread does take at least 20 hours from start to finish, you actually do work in the kitchen for only 10-15 minutes or so. The rest of the time is just passive time – letting the bread do its thing.
Here’s a quick overview of how to make this No-Knead Cranberry Bread with dried cranberries:
Combine all ingredients: Stir bread flour, instant yeast, salt, dried cranberries and water altogether, and form dough. You can use an electric mixer for this, but it’s not necessary.
Let rise for 18 hours: Because we are not kneading or mixing the bread, the batter will need the full 18 hours for it to rise and do its thing. Do not cut this time short if possible! When it is done, dough should double its original size.
Gently mold the dough into a ball and place in Dutch oven lined with parchment paper
Let it rise for another 2 hours in the Dutch oven.
Bake! Send it into the oven and bake with the lid on for 30 minutes, then bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
Remove: Carefully remove cranberry yeast bread from Dutch oven and let it cool on a wire rack or a flat surface.
Enjoy the fruit of your (very minimal) labor!
I highly recommend enjoying no knead cranberry bread warm. Slice it with a sharp serrated knife into smaller slices.
Dried cranberry bread will be soft and chewy on the inside, crusty on the outside, and loaded with bites of tartness and sweetness from the dried cranberries sprinkled all through out the bread.
It’s SO simple, yet so delicious. And leaves your home smelling amazing!
Kick off your holiday festivities to some No Knead Cranberry Bread. You’ll love it and you’ll want it in your life forever!
Variations and Substitutions
To bring different flavors and textures to this no-knead cranberry bread, try these add-ons and substitutions:
- Dried fruit: Add different dried fruits such as raisins, dried dates, apricots, or apples. Oranges are a common addition to make orange cranberry bread.
- Nuts and seeds: For example, add walnuts, sliced almonds, pecans, crushed pistachios, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds…the list goes on.
- Additional flavors: Get creative! You can add orange zest, chocolate chips etc. to the batter for a bread that is uniquely your creation. Make sure to only add items that does not need refrigeration.
- Hint of sweet: For added sweetness, you can also add some granulated sugar or brown sugar.
How to Serve
What I love about about this dried cranberry bread is that it is so versatile. It’s great as a snack. It’s the perfect festive, holiday bread. It can be eaten warm or at room temperature (though I high recommend eating it warm).
It’s also perfect with some salted or unsalted butter melted on it to be consumed any time, any day.
Slice it up with a serrated knife and make a sandwich. It goes with peanut butter and jelly. It goes with turkey and provolone. It goes with a side of scrambled eggs at breakfast.
The possibilities are endless, my friend. ❤️
Tips and Tricks
A few things to note when making this lovely no knead bread with dried cranberries:
- Wait it out: Do not cut short the waiting time. It does take a while, but the yeast needs time to do its work because we are not kneading it. So, patience is key here. 😉
- Time it wisely: Given the 18 hour rise time, I typically start this process in the afternoon so I can work with the dough in the morning.
- Keep it warm: If your home runs cool, the dough might take longer to rise. It’s best to place it in a warm spot like near a window with sunlight.
- Trust the process: 18 hours later, some parts might look a little dry, and that is okay. After baking you will not even notice the dryness. The dough dries up a bit after sitting in drier air, especially in the winter.
- Don’t judge a dough by its cover: Dough for cranberry yeast bread will look sticky, shaggy, and let’s be honest, kinda ugly. But fear not, you will not be making ugly bread. It’s just ugly in the process.
- Let it cool: Let dried cranberry loaf cool completely (on a wire rack if you have one) before slicing with a serrated knife. This will produce the cleanest slices.
Frequently Asked Questions
No-knead bread is a simple technique where you don’t knead the dough to develop the gluten. Instead, a long fermentation period allows it to develop on its own. The result is a crusty bread with minimal effort.
For two main reasons: 1) Dutch oven has a lid and it seals well, 2) both the Dutch oven and the lid can be heated at a very high heat (at least 450℉). I highly recommend using a Dutch oven for this, but you can use a loaf pan if needed.
Since the dough will be sitting out for almost a day, I would not recommend adding in any ingredients that would require refrigeration.
I would stick to instant yeast for minimal effort. However, if all you have is active dry yeast, then you can use it by adding a few more steps: first ‘wake up’ the active dry yeast by placing it in warm water with some sugar for 5-10 minutes, until the yeast water is foamy. This activates active dry yeast before it can be added to the flour mixture.
Yes that works, but bread flour is ideal as it produces a more structured and chewy bread.
Insert a toothpick into the thickest part of the bread. If it comes out clean, it’s done.
Store in an airtight container like a Ziplock bag, or wrap well with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and consume within 1-2 days. Since there are no preservatives (which is a GOOD thing), it will need to be stored in the refrigerator after the second day if it is not consumed by then.
To save it for a longer time, put in the freezer and thaw before eating.
ENJOYED THIS RECIPE? Tell us what you think by leaving a rating and review below! 🤍
Other Bread Recipes
- Honey Butter Rolls
- Cinnamon Raisin Rolls
- Strawberry Banana Bread
- Cheesy Garlic Rolls
- Blueberry Bread with Crumb Topping
- Apple Cinnamon Bread
- Banana and Date Muffins
No-Knead Cranberry Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, bring together bread flour, salt and instant yeast. Mix well, then add dried cranberries and water.
- Mix well again, and shape it into a ball-like shape. Dough will be sticky and may be slightly lumpy – and that is ok!
- Cover with a cloth and let dough rise for 18 hours.
- Bring dough to the middle of a large sheet of parchment paper. Gently mold dough into a shape of a ball. Lift up parchment paper (with dough on it) and put it into a dutch oven.
- Let it rise for another 2 hours.
- Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Bake bread covered with lid for 30 minutes. Then uncover lid and bake for another 15 minutes.
- Cool bread for 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
i successfully made no knead cranberry bread! i am so happy that it turned out so well, was so simple & easy to make. and it tastes so good. Had some friends over for breakfast. They love the quality of the bread & impressed by your so easy to make recipe and they are going to try making it!
thank you for the recipe!
Thank you for trying it! I am glad you and your friends like it!! 🙂
This looks so perfect. I’m definitely trying out this technique soon!
Thank you so much! Yes! It’ awesome – a bread-making life-changer!! 😀
Can this bread be made in a regular bread pan or a king Arthur Flour Pain De Mie Pan ?
Hi Darla! As long as the pan can withstand the high heat I think it should be fine.
Is there a reason not to immediately put it in the parchment lined Dutch oven & raise it for 20 hours? As you can see I’ve never made bread!
I think that would be fine too! After 20 hours of rising, you will need to mold dough into a round shape and let it rise further. It might be trickier to do that in the parchment lined dutch oven, but definitely not impossible! 🙂
I’ve tried a few no knead savory breads with the same Dutch Oven technique but have not tried one that’s a sweet bread with dried fruit. I love the combination of orange and cranberry too. Do you think adding half orange juice and half water along with some grated orange peel in addition to the cranberries would be okay to try in this recipe?
You can try grating some orange peel into this, but I will stick to just water and no orange juice! I have not tried it but I think orange juice will not work the same way as the water would with the yeast.
Could I substitute fresh cranberries for dried?
Since it will be sitting out for a day or so I highly recommend dried cranberries for this!
This bread is amazing! So simple to make — you just can’t get in a hurry — and so fulfilling to know it is possible to make homemade bread without a lot of fuss!
That’s wonderful Sheila! Enjoy your homemade breads! 🙂
One of our very favorite breads! So easy and really very hands off, then the house just smells amazing!
That’s right! It smells just as good as it tastes! 🙂 Thanks for sharing and I’m glad it’s a favorite of yours!
Your bread recipes are gorgeous and absolutely delicious! I had a lot of fun making this one and will be making it again for Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much! Happy to hear you are looking to make this again! 🙂
Gotta love a beautiful and easy no-knead bread recipe!
It’s the best! 🙂
I have made no knead breads that require the dutch oven to be pre heated then add the raised loaf. Is there a reason to skip that step. I will try it you way.
Pre-heating the Dutch oven first will make the dutch oven itself warmer, but I haven’t found it necessary in my experiments with this recipe!
How would you make changes to this recipe for high-altitude baking? We live at 7000 feet and yeast bread often over-inflates and falls..
For high altitude add more flour and depending on your altitude you might need to use a little less yeast. Check out my friend Kathleen’s recipe for a similar bread – she bakes at high altitude, perhaps that could help you a bit!
Can’t wait to try this bread! Just wondering, could I exchange cranberry juice for some of the water; perhaps 1/3 cup?
I have not tried it and I do not know how it would interact with yeast. So the safest thing to do is to stick to water.
I made this with the family and it turned out great! I love that I didn’t need to knead the bread and how simple it came together.
Yay! So glad to hear that!
Thanks for sharing! I’ve been looking for a simple no knead bread recipe and I love this one. Especially with the addition of cranberries. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Thanks Dee! Please do! I hope you love it.
I’m just trying this recipe for the first time. I’m just doing the initial rise.
I’m a pretty good cook, but I can’t really bake, so I’m hoping this works for me. But wondering if I can substitute the cranberries for a garlic cheese bread the next time I attempt this? Or, are there any additional ingredients that I can substitute?
You can definitely add garlic instead of dried cranberries, but since it will be sitting out for 18 hours+, I wouldn’t add anything that needs to be refrigerated (like cheese). Other good ingredients to add are dried fruits and nuts.
I baked it exactly as listed but both top and bottom crust were extremely hard to eat due to overbaking. Should I reduce baking time or temp?
The crust should be slightly hard, but you can reduce baking time slightly if you like.
very tasty
Thanks Carol!
when you put the molded bread in the Dutch oven for 2 more hours to rise, is it covered with towel or lid?
I typically don’t cover it but you can cover with a towel if you’d like. I wouldn’t cover it with a lid. Let me know how it turns out! 🙂
I had cranberries leftover that I needed to do something with and found this recipe. I have made 2 loaves so far. One with just the cranberries and one with orange zest added. Fantastic and super easy.
My husband can’t stop eating it. So happy I found this recipe. Thanks
Thanks Linda! SO glad you and your husband enjoyed this recipe.