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This Cranberry Orange Bread is moist, bursting with fresh citrus flavor, and topped with a sweet orange glaze—perfect for any occasion! Serve for breakfast, brunch, or as a dessert. It’s great for holiday gift-giving.
You’ll also love my banana bread bars and pumpkin bread.
Why you’ll love this sweet bread…
This cranberry orange bread recipe is the best! Checking all the boxes: flavor, texture, aroma, and ease of preparation. It’s a delightful treat. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it will become a favorite in your recipe collection!
It is especially perfect during the fall and winter when its festive flavors capture the essence of the holiday season. The pops of vibrant red cranberries against the golden-orange bread make it as beautiful and tasty—ideal for gifting or holiday gatherings. See more Christmas dessert ideas.
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.
For the Cranberry Orange Bread:
- All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the bread, giving it body and texture.
- Baking powder: A leavening agent that helps the bread rise and become light and fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances sweetness.
- Whole milk yogurt (plain): Adds moisture and richness, contributing to a tender crumb.
- Orange zest: The finely grated outer peel of orange provides an intense citrus aroma and flavor.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice: Offers natural sweetness and a fresh citrus taste.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a creamy texture to the bread.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread and aids in creating a golden-brown crust.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture and richness.
- Pure vanilla extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
- Fresh cranberries: tart cranberries provide a burst of fruity flavor throughout the bread.
For the Orange Glaze:
- Powdered sugar: Used in the glaze for sweetness and a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Orange juice (for glaze): Infuses the glaze with citrus flavor and helps achieve the right consistency.
- Orange zest (for glaze): Adds extra citrus aroma and visual appeal to the glaze.
- Additional flour (for tossing cranberries): Coats the cranberries to prevent them from sinking in the batter.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread
This quick bread looks and tastes like it took hours, but it’s pretty simple. You’ll impress your friends and family without the stress. Follow these step-by-step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for complete instructions.
Cream the butter and sugar.
Add the wet ingredients.
Whisk the flour mixture.
Combine wet and dry ingredients
Add the cranberries.
Pour the batter into the pan.
Bake until the center comes out clean.
Combine the glaze ingredients in the bowl.
Whisk the ingredients.
Cool completely and then top with the orange glaze.
There’s something heartwarming about homemade bread. This recipe evokes that sense of comfort and nostalgia, making every slice feel like a warm hug.
You will also love our best Christmas desserts collection!
My Pro Tip
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.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense bread due to excess gluten development.
- 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.
- Add Glaze After Cooling: Wait until the bread is completely cooled before adding the orange glaze. If the bread is too warm, the glaze will melt and become runny.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, butter, and milk are at room temperature. This helps create a smooth batter and allows for even baking.
Can I Use Dried or Frozen Cranberries?
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.
Fresh cranberries offer the best tartness, but neither option will produce delicious cranberry orange bread!
Why Did My Bread Turn Out Dry?
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.
Double-check these tips to keep your bread soft and moist next time!
Variations
Feel free to add nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch, or switch up the glaze with a cream cheese frosting for a different twist.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
- 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.
What To Serve With This Recipe
This cranberry orange bread is a beautiful sweet treat after any hearty winter meal!
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Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
The best Cranberry Orange Bread that bursts with fresh citrus flavor and tart cranberries, finished with a sweet orange glaze that adds a perfect balance.
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Orange Bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- zest and juice from 1 large orange
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 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 9×5-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!
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Category: Sweet
- Method: American
- Cuisine: American
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.