Description
This moist and citrusy Orange Cranberry Bread is the perfect balance of tart cranberries and sweet orange zest, making it an ideal bake for holidays or everyday snacking. Learn how to make this easy quick bread with fresh or dried cranberries, topped with a light orange glaze. A great make-ahead and freezer-friendly loaf!
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
½ cup fresh orange juice
2 large eggs
¾ cup whole milk or buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
2 tablespoons orange juice (for glaze)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, orange zest, eggs, orange juice, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Fold in the cranberries gently with a spatula.
6. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top.
7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, tenting with foil halfway through if browning too quickly.
8. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Mix powdered sugar and orange juice until a pourable glaze forms. Drizzle over cooled bread before serving.
Notes
For a richer citrus flavor, always use freshly grated orange zest and fresh orange juice.
Toss cranberries in 1 tablespoon of flour before folding into the batter to prevent sinking.
If using dried cranberries, soak them in orange juice for 10 minutes before adding to the batter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg