Cranberry Orange Bread
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Cranberry Orange Bread is moist, bursting with fresh citrus flavor, and topped with a sweet orange glaze. Fresh cranberries bring a tart contrast to the orange-flavored loaf, making it a lovely choice for breakfast, brunch, or holiday gift-giving.
Pair with Italian Fruit Salad and yogurt with Homemade Granola for a delicious breakfast spread.
Quick Look: Cranberry Orange Bread
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 8
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian
- Method: Oven-baked
- Technique: Cream butter and sugar, mix in the wet ingredients, combine with the dry ingredients, fold in cranberries, bake, and glaze after cooling.
- Flavor/Texture: Sweet orange flavor, tart cranberries, a tender crumb, and a sweet citrus glaze
Why I Love This Seasonal Bread
Growing up, I always loved when the kitchen was filled with the smell of something baking, especially around the holidays. This cranberry orange bread has that same cozy feel, with fresh cranberries and plenty of orange flavor in every slice. The sweet glaze on top makes it extra special, and a slice alongside breakfast is one of my favorite ways to enjoy it.
Try my Orange Olive Oil Cake next!
Made With Amore,
“This was delicious! Everyone loved it and they can’t wait for me to make it again. It will be my gift to everyone this holiday season instead of cookies.”
– Nikki
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This combination of ingredients creates a moist, flavorful bread with a balance of sweet and tart elements, complemented by a zesty orange glaze.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the loaf its structure and tender crumb.
- Fresh Cranberries: Add little bursts of tart flavor throughout the bread.
- Orange Zest and Juice: Bring fresh citrus flavor to the loaf and its topping.
- Butter and Sugar: Add richness and sweetness to the batter.
- Orange Glaze: A sweet finish made with powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Walnuts or Pecans: Add nuts for extra crunch.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Switch up the glaze with a cream cheese frosting (you can find my recipe in this Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting post) for a different twist.
- Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Bread: Add white chocolate chips for a sweeter contrast to the tart cranberries. Try my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!
How to Make Orange Cranberry Bread
This quick bread looks and tastes like it took hours, but it’s pretty simple. Follow the step-by-step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the eggs and beat until fluffy. Then mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest, freshly squeezed orange juice, and yogurt.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Stir to combine with a dough hook or spatula.
- Add the cranberries and fold until well combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake the bread for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the loaf with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before adding the glaze.
- In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and slightly thick.
- If the consistency is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Once completely cooled, drizzle the orange glaze generously over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.
Cranberry Orange Bread FAQs
Room Temperature: Wrap the cranberry bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate: Store the covered loaf in the fridge for up to 1 week to extend its freshness.
Freezing: Let the bread cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe zip-top bag, making sure to remove excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Tip: Add the glaze after thawing for best results.
Yes! Both dried and frozen cranberries can be used as substitutes for fresh cranberries:
Dried Cranberries: Soak them in hot water or orange juice for 10 minutes to rehydrate. Drain before adding to the batter.
Frozen Cranberries: Use them directly from the freezer without thawing. Toss in a little flour to prevent sinking during baking.
Your bread might have turned out dry for several reasons:
Overbaking: Baking for too long can dry out the bread. Check for doneness early by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Too much flour: Overmeasuring flour can lead to dryness. Be sure to spoon and level the flour rather than scooping it directly.
Insufficient fat or liquid: Make sure you use the correct amounts of butter, eggs, and milk, as these ingredients keep the bread moist.
Serving Suggestions
Serve cranberry orange bread as part of a holiday breakfast or brunch alongside a Classic Spinach Quiche, Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole, and a bowl of fresh Italian Fruit Salad. For a sweeter spread, add Ricotta Pancakes topped with Homemade Blueberry Sauce and a pot of coffee. The tart cranberries and sweet orange glaze make this loaf a lovely addition to the table.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh Orange Zest and Juice: Freshly grated orange zest and freshly squeezed juice provide the brightest, most natural citrus flavor. Avoid bottled juice for the best results.
- Coat Cranberries in Flour: Toss the fresh or frozen cranberries in a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
- Check for Doneness Early: Ovens vary, so start checking for doneness at the 50-minute mark. Insert a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s done.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, butter, and yogurt are at room temperature. This helps create a smooth batter and allows for even baking.
More Sweet Bread Recipes
💙 MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💙 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.
Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Orange Bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- zest and juice from 1 large orange
- ½ cup + 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries, rinsed and patted dry + toss with 1 tablespoon of flour
For the Orange Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
Make the Cranberry Orange Bread:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the eggs and beat until fluffy. Then mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest, freshly squeezed orange juice, and yogurt. Mix to combine.
- Whisk Flour Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the flour mixture with the wet ingredients to the bowl. Stir to combine with a dough hook or spatula. Add the cranberries and fold until well combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Pour batter into loaf pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake the bread for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the loaf with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Cool the bread: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before adding the glaze.
To Make the Orange Glaze:
- Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and slightly thick. If the consistency is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar or more orange juice.
- Glaze the bread: Once completely cooled, drizzle the orange glaze generously over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving. You can drizzle the glaze, or pour evenly over the top!
Notes
- Pair with Italian Fruit Salad and yogurt with Homemade Granola for a delicious breakfast spread.
- Use Fresh Orange Zest and Juice: Freshly grated orange zest and freshly squeezed juice provide the brightest, most natural citrus flavor. Avoid bottled juice for the best results.
- Coat Cranberries in Flour: Toss the fresh or frozen cranberries in a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
- Check for Doneness Early: Ovens vary, so start checking for doneness at the 50-minute mark. Insert a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s done.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, butter, and yogurt are at room temperature. This helps create a smooth batter and allows for even baking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was so good and so easy to make! My son and husband devoured it!
YES! We love this one, too. I am happy you family enjoyed the recipe!
This was delicious! Everyone loved it and they can’t wait for me to make it again. It will be my gift to everyone this holiday season instead of cookies.
Yes! This is a popular gift for the holidays and it is a fun alternative to a cookie box. I am thrilled you love it!
It was absolutely delicious and flavorful. I will be making again.
Yay! So happy to hear that. It is one we love to make and also give as a gift!
Delish! Made 4 small loafs and reduced cooking time. I will be making again.
Happy you loved this recipe! Enjoy for years to come!
Made 6 small loaves & reduced the cooking time. Delicious! Giving a couple as gifts.
Smells so good & looks festive!
Thank you.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! Yes, the mini loaves of this recipe are perfect for gifting. Enjoy!
This bread is so good Elena!! I have been making it nonstop and giving for gifts! I managed to make it into the small loaf pans and it’s soooo yummy! Perfect for gifts in the smaller size. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
Yay! So happy to hear this! Great idea for gifting.
This bread is absolutely DELICIOUS! My husband, who usually doesnt like anything flavored orange devoured it! It is so moist and flavorful, a must make!
YAY! Happy you loved this one as much as we do!
Can this recipe be successfully doubled?
Yes! You can do that!
This was easy and so delicious! It took about 10 minutes more to bake but that’s probably my oven!
I would definitely make again!
Yay! So happy you loved this yummy sweet bread. Yes, some ovens will vary +-10 minutes.
The Cranberry Orange Bread is fabulous! Next time I make it, I am going to do muffins.
Yes! Thank you so much. I’m happy you loved it.