Description
Start your morning with a warm, citrusy breakfast that feels both comforting and refreshing. This Cottage Cheese Cranberry Orange Breakfast Bake is soft, creamy, lightly sweet, and packed with bursts of tart cranberries in every bite. The combination of fresh orange zest, juicy cranberries, and protein-rich cottage cheese creates a delicious balance of flavor and texture that works perfectly for breakfast, brunch, holiday gatherings, or even an easy afternoon snack. This easy recipe is ideal for anyone searching for quick breakfast ideas, healthy breakfast bakes, easy brunch recipes, make-ahead breakfast options, or simple food ideas for busy mornings. The golden top, fluffy texture, and bright citrus flavor make this breakfast bake a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 large eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a baking dish or baking pan with butter or nonstick spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar until evenly combined.
3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir gently until a smooth batter forms.
5. Fold the fresh cranberries into the batter evenly without overmixing.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread the top evenly with a spatula.
7. Sprinkle a few extra cranberries and a little orange zest on top for additional flavor and color if desired.
8. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the top becomes lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
9. Allow the breakfast bake to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing.
10. Dust with powdered sugar before serving and enjoy warm or chilled.
Notes
Use room-temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and softer texture.
Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour or the bake may become dense instead of fluffy.
Fresh orange zest provides the brightest citrus flavor, but a small amount of orange extract can intensify the flavor even more.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 68mg
Keywords: cottage cheese breakfast bake, cranberry orange bake, easy breakfast recipe, breakfast casserole, brunch ideas, healthy breakfast, make ahead breakfast, breakfast ideas