Cranberry Orange Bread with Simple Glaze – Festive and Zesty

Cranberry Orange Bread with Simple Glaze is a moist, flavorful quick bread bursting with tart cranberries and zesty orange.

Topped with a sweet glaze, this bread is perfect for holiday breakfasts, gifting, or a cozy treat with your favorite hot drink.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Loaf pan (9×5-inch)
• Parchment paper (optional)
• Spatula

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, halved

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp orange juice (freshly squeezed)

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, orange juice, and milk. Stir in the orange zest.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in the halved cranberries.
7. Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth.
10. Glaze the Bread: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread. Let it set before slicing and serving.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

50 minutes

Total Time

1 hour 5 minutes

Nutrition (Per Slice, based on 12 slices)

Calories: 250
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fat: 9g
Sugar: 22g

Expert Tips

• Cranberries: Toss the cranberries in a bit of flour before folding into the batter to prevent them from sinking.
• Orange Flavor: Add a drop of orange extract for an even bolder citrus taste.
• Perfect Glaze Consistency: Adjust the glaze with more powdered sugar for thickness or more orange juice for a thinner drizzle.

FAQs

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, but soak them in hot water for 10 minutes to plump them up before adding to the batter.

Can I make this bread ahead of time?
Absolutely! It tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.

Why did my bread sink in the middle?
This could be due to overmixing the batter or not baking it long enough. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate.

Storing & Reheating

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Refrigerator: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating: Warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a fresh taste.

Substitutions & Variations

• Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Dairy-Free: Use almond milk or oat milk in place of regular milk.
• Nuts: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture.

Cranberry Orange Bread with Simple Glaze

Cranberry Orange Bread with Simple Glaze is a moist, flavorful quick bread bursting with tart cranberries and zesty orange.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• - Electric mixer or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• - Loaf pan (9x5 inch)
• - Parchment paper (optional)
• Spatula

Ingredients

  

• #### For the Bread:
• - 2 cups all-purpose flour
• - 1 tsp baking powder
• - 1/2 tsp baking soda
• - 1/2 tsp salt
• - 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• - 1 cup granulated sugar
• - 2 large eggs
• - 1 tsp vanilla extract
• - 1/2 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
• - 1/4 cup milk
• - 1 tbsp orange zest
• - 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries halved
• #### For the Glaze:
• - 1 cup powdered sugar
• - 2-3 tbsp orange juice freshly squeezed

Instructions

 

• **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
• **Mix Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• **Cream Butter and Sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
• **Add Wet Ingredients:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, orange juice, and milk. Stir in the orange zest.
• **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
• **Fold in Cranberries:** Gently fold in the halved cranberries.
• **Bake the Bread:** Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• **Cool:** Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• **Make the Glaze:** In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth.
• **Glaze the Bread:** Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread. Let it set before slicing and serving.