This Cranberry Orange Bread is super moist and tender with the perfect amount of zest, and just a hint of tart. Coated in an irresistible orange glaze, this easy quick bread recipe is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack with tea or coffee!

If you love cranberry recipes during the holidays, try my Homemade Cranberry Sauce or my Cranberry Margarita!

Cranberry Orange Bread on white serving tray

Cranberry Orange Bread

I love baking during the holidays! It’s so fun to play with warm seasonal flavors like ginger, cloves, cinnamon, mint, and also seasonal produce like apples, oranges, and cranberries. These flavors and fruits are not only delicious, but they’re packed full of healthy inflammatories and nutrients like vitamin C!

This moist Cranberry Orange Bread recipe is not too sweet, soft on the inside, and crisp and crunchy on the corners.  I used both orange juice and orange zest to make sure this bread is packed full with lots of orange flavor! Once the bread is cooled I pour on a homemade orange glaze. This bread makes a perfect breakfast or dessert and is great to serve during the holidays!

If you love cranberries then you would love my Cranberry Protein Balls or my Cranberry Orange Muffins!

Ingredients

  • Cranberries: You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries. I love how their tartness complements the sweet zestiness of the oranges in this Cranberry Orange Bread recipe.
  • Oranges: I added both orange juice for moisture, as well as orange zest to really bring out the orange flavor in this sweet bread.
  • Butter: Butter brings an extra layer of flavor and richness. It really make this recipe delicious!
  • Sugar: Sugar is essential in this recipe to balance out the tartness of the cranberries and orange.
  • Baking powder & baking soda: These pantry staples help the bread to rise well.
  • Egg: This is the binding ingredient that brings everything together, and also helps it to rise a little as well.
  • Powdered Sugar: Use powdered sugar instead of granulated in this cranberry orange bread recipe to make sure that the glaze is perfectly smooth.
  • Orange Juice: Orange juice adds flavor as well as making the glaze nice and runny so it can easily be added to the cranberry bread.

How to make Cranberry Orange Bread with glaze

  • Make batter: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add butter and mix until crumbly. Stir in the zest, juice, and egg. Mix until combined. Fold in the cranberries.
  1. Bake: Pour batter (it will be thick) into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
pouring batter into loaf pan
  1. Make glaze: While the cranberry orange bread is baking, combine the powdered sugar and orange juice for the glaze and set aside.
  2. Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 30 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  3. Serve: Once the bread is cool pour on the glaze and serve!
pouring orange glaze onto cranberry bread

How to Make Orange Glaze

Simply combine powdered sugar and fresh-squeezed orange juice in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside until you are ready to drizzle on top of cooled bread.

Cranberry Orange Bread with Orange Glaze

Cranberry Orange Rolls FAQ

How to store Cranberry Orange Bread

  • Store: In an airtight container at room temperature. It was last up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: You can freeze this cranberry and orange bread for up to 3 months. Make sure the bread isn’t glazed when you freeze it and store it in an airtight container like a ziplock freezer bag. When you’re ready to eat it, allow the bread to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to room temperature before glazing.

Can you substitute dried cranberries for fresh?

Yes! However, you need to adjust the amount of cranberries. For instance, this recipe calls for 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries. If using dried, 1 cup of fresh cranberries is equal to 3/4 cup dried. Make sure you soak them in boiling water for about 15 minutes. This will make them plump and soft again.

Sliced Cranberry Orange Bread

More Holiday Desserts

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    Recipe

    Cranberry Orange Bread

    4 from 6 votes
    Cranberry Orange Bread. Super moist and tender with the perfect amount of zest. Perfect for breakfast or dessert!
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Serves 8 1 loaf
    Rate Print

    Ingredients 

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 3 ⁄4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 1 ⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 ⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 ⁄4 cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest
    • 3 ⁄4 cup orange juice
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 cup cranberries, chopped (fresh or frozen)

    Orange Glaze

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 5 pan with non stick cooking spray, set aside.
      Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
      Add butter and mix until crumbly.
    • Stir in the zest, juice and egg. Mix until combined.
    • Fold in the cranberries.
    • Pour batter (it will be thick) into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
    • Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 30 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
      Once the bread is cool pour on the glaze and serve!

    Orange Glaze

    • Combine the ingredients together in a small bowl, set aside.

    Notes

    Adapted from Genius Kitchen

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 190mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 89IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 2mg

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