Moist Cranberry Bread with Easy Orange Glaze

This cranberry bread recipe is a cherished family tradition, passed down over the years... Each bite is a burst of tart cranberry flavor, balanced by a sweet and tangy orange glaze. This holiday favorite is sure to become a family tradition at your house too!

Cranberry Bread

In the spring and summer I'm making zucchini bread. In the fall I love making pumpkin bread... But in the winter, I love Cranberry Orange Bread!

This cranberry bread with orange glaze is perfect anytime of year... It's great for a warm for breakfast or brunch. For an afternoon tea, paired with your favorite herbal tea.

During the holiday season, this quick cranberry bread is best for any gathering, Thanksgiving dessert, Christmas parties, or New Years eve!

Simple Ingredients

This recipe is made with fresh oranges, cranberries, and pantry staples you probably already have on hand!

• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour or whole wheat flour (180 grams)
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 orange - zest and ⅓ cup juice from one large rolled orange
• 7 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries, sliced in half
• 1 tablespoon flour to dust cranberries

For The Orange Glaze

• half the orange zest
• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• 1.5 tablespoons juice from the orange

How to Make Cranberry Bread with Orange Glaze

First off, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. And butter and 8x4 inch bread pan, then dust it with flour.

Next, slice your cranberries in half, add them to a small bowl, add 1 tablespoon of flour and stir to coat each cranberry half. Then set it aside.

In a medium sized mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together your dry ingredients: 1.5 cups Flour, ½ cup sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder. Then set it aside.

In a medium mixing bowl whisk together your wet ingredients: 2 large eggs, 7 tablespoons melted butter, ¼ cup milk, ⅓ cup orange juice and half the orange zest.

Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients till all combined.

Add the flour dusted cranberry halves to the batter and fold them in till evenly combined.

Pour your batter into your prepared loaf pan, and smooth out top so it's evenly spread.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes ill golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Remove your cranberry bread to a cooling rack or cutting board and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully remove your loaf from the pan and let it finish cooling off while you make the orange glaze!

In a small bowl add the 1 cup powdered sugar, the other half of the orange zest and 1.5 tablespoons of the fresh squeezed orange juice. Use a whisk to combine the glaze till smooth. If you want your glaze thinner add a teaspoon more orange juice till desired thickness;)

After your bread has cooled, drizzle it with your orange glaze, and Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

For best results, slice cranberries for even distribution and use fresh, grated orange zest. While fresh ingredients enhanses the overall flavor, frozen cranberries can be thawed and used, and bottled orange juice also works.

The baking time may vary, so monitor the bread and check for doneness with a toothpick... Once baked, let the bread cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from running and to allow the flavors to develop.

For added depth, use a blend of white and whole wheat flour.... And you can add a squeeze of lemon juice in the glaze!

Adjust the orange juice in the glaze for your desired consistency: less juice for a thicker glaze, more for a thinner one.

Store the bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Cranberry Bread Recipe Card

If you try this recipe, I'd really appreciate a star rating or review... Or tag me on Instagram with your bread!