Go Back

Cranberry Orange Bread

Moist, tender cranberry orange bread packed with fresh cranberries and orange zest, finished with a sweet orange glaze. A perfect holiday quick bread for breakfast or gifting.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cool 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Breakfast, Holiday Treats
Cuisine American
Servings 10 slices
Calories 260 kcal

Ingredients
  

Bread:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp orange zest from about 1 large orange
  • 3/4 cup orange juice fresh or bottled
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries roughly chopped (do not thaw if frozen)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional

Orange glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp orange juice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment.
  • In a large bowl, rub the orange zest into the sugar with your fingers. Whisk in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • In another bowl, whisk the orange juice, melted butter, egg and vanilla. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in the cranberries and nuts. The batter will be thick.
  • Spread in the pan and bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Tent with foil after 40 minutes if the top browns too fast.
  • Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a rack. Whisk the powdered sugar and orange juice into a thick glaze and drizzle over the loaf.

Notes

Make ahead: Bake up to 2 days ahead, wrap well and glaze the day you serve it.
Storage: Keep covered at room temperature up to 3 days or in the fridge up to 1 week.
Freeze: Wrap the unglazed loaf in plastic and foil and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Variations: Use dried cranberries, add white chocolate chips, or bake as 12 muffins at 375°F (190°C) for 18 to 22 minutes.
Keyword cranberry bread, cranberry orange bread, holiday quick bread, orange quick bread