🍊 Introducing Orange Bread Grand Marnier! 🍞 This delightful creation is not your average bread – it’s a culinary masterpiece that deserves special treatment. Perfect for gifting to your closest friends, this bread is sure to impress with its delightful flavor and moist texture. 😋
Preparation for this Orange Bread Grand Marnier is a breeze, with just 15 minutes of prep time and a total cook time of 1 hour, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight treat. Plus, it’s baked in the oven in less than 4 hours, so you can enjoy freshly baked goodness without spending all day in the kitchen. 🕒
To start, gather your ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Milk | 2/3 cup |
| Vinegar | 1 tsp |
| Butter | 1/2 cup |
| Sugar | 1 cup |
| Eggs | 2 |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Orange zest | 3 tbsp |
| Vanilla | 1 tsp |
| Raisins | 1/4 cup |
| Grand Marnier | 1/4 cup |
Now, let’s dive into the recipe:
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Prepare the milk mixture: In a small bowl, combine the milk and vinegar. Set it aside for 5 minutes to allow it to curdle slightly.
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Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, which should take about 5 minutes.
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Sift the dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda.
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Combine the ingredients: Add the sifted flour mixture alternately with the milk mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
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Incorporate the flavorings: Beat in the orange zest, vanilla extract, and Grand Marnier until evenly distributed throughout the batter. If desired, add the raisins at this stage for an extra burst of flavor.
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Prepare the pans: Grease either a 5 x 9-inch loaf pan or three 5 x 3-inch pans, depending on your preference.
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Bake to perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for approximately 1 hour for the large pan or about 25 minutes for the smaller pans, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake, as this could result in a dry loaf.
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Create the glaze: While the bread is baking, mix together the ingredients for the glaze.
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Finish with a flourish: Once the bread is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pierce it all over with a fork or toothpick. Spoon the prepared glaze over the hot bread, allowing it to soak in and infuse the bread with extra flavor.
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Let it cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for a bit before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled to room temperature, you can choose to wrap it in clear cellophane, tie it with ribbons, and present it as a thoughtful gift to your loved ones. 🎁 For serving, slice the bread and enjoy it at room temperature, either on its own or spread with flavored whipped cream cheese or cranberry butter for an extra indulgent treat. 🧀🍞
This Orange Bread Grand Marnier is a true delight for the senses, with its moist crumb, citrusy aroma, and delightful burst of flavor in every bite. Whether enjoyed as a special treat for yourself or shared with friends and family, it’s sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. So why wait? Gather your ingredients and let’s get baking! 🍊🥖
