A combination of sweet oranges and tart cranberries make the perfect flavor in this Cranberry Orange Bread. Use freshly squeezed orange juice and zest for the glaze.
Tart cranberries and sweet oranges just go together, right? Muffins, punch, Jello and cranberry sauce…there are so many options for this flavor combination and today we’re adding one more.
Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
Looking for a breakfast bread to serve during the holiday season? You might like this cranberry orange quick bread. It’s sweet and bursting with orange flavor, but also a touch tangy from the cranberries. The bright berries give the bread a festive look. It’s beautiful for Christmas brunch and even for giving as a hostess gift.
What is a quick bread?
Quick bread is a bread that doesn’t have yeast. There is no rise time, therefore making it a “quick” bread. They are very similar to cake in texture and are sometimes called a “loaf cake”.
Are quick breads always sweet?
Quick breads are often sweet, but sometimes they are savory. We have two savory quick bread recipes. A bacon pineapple bread and a cottage cheese walnut bread.
Fresh vs Frozen Cranberries
In our area, we can only find fresh cranberries during the holiday season. Other times of the year we have to buy frozen cranberries. Thankfully, there is not much difference between frozen and fresh cranberries. Cranberries freeze really well. If you use fresh cranberries, wash them, toss them with flour, then add them to the batter and fold them in gently.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread
- In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, milk, orange juice, zest, oil, eggs and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- In a small bowl, toss the frozen cranberries with a tablespoon of flour to coat.
- Gently fold the cranberries into the batter.
- Pour the bread batter into a greased 9″x5″ bread pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of the bread should come out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes, then remove the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.
How do you make orange glaze?
Powdered sugar glaze is simple to make. For this bread, you’ll need 1 cup of powdered sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice and the zest of an orange. Add a touch of vanilla, then use a whisk until the glaze is smooth. For the smoothest results, run the powdered sugar through a sifter first to get any lumps out.
The glaze will form just a little crust so keep the glaze covered until you are ready to drizzle it on the bread.
Cranberry Orange Bread
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup milk (2%)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup oil (canola or vegetable)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups frozen cranberries
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, milk, orange juice, zest, oil, eggs and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- In a small bowl, toss the frozen cranberries with a tablespoon of flour to coat.
- Gently fold the cranberries into the batter.
- Pour the bread batter into a greased 9″x5″ bread pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of the bread should come out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes, then remove the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, orange juice and zest, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Mix until it is smooth.
- Once the bread is cool, spread the glaze on top of the bread. Slice and serve.
- Freezes well!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Other Quick Bread Recipes
Tools to Make Quick Bread
- Wire Cooling Racks: This will help your cakes cool more quickly.
- Citrus Squeezer: For juicing all of those fresh lemons and limes!
- Zester: We have this zester. It’s long and easily sits on bowls for quick zesting.
- 9×5 Loaf Pan: These are the pans I use for quick breads, yeast breads, fried mush and more!
Can you use dried cranberries instead?
I made this using fresh cranberries, and it was wonderful! I cut 1 cup of the cranberries in half and left the other half whole, and it turned out nicely. I also substituted almond milk and it was still great. After reading some comments, I also wrapped my loaf in saran wrap shortly after taking it out of the oven to retain the moisture, and I feel like that really helped it. It is also a lot better without the frosting!
I will definitely be saving this recipe! 10/10 would recommend making this.
If I could give this recipe a star rating of 50 , I would ! We love it and my husband requests it at least three times a month ! It is just delicious in every way!
So on a scale of 1-10 – we’re giving it a “50”
Used frozen huckleberries in place of cranberries! AMAZING!
I need this recipe but can’t see a print off sign. Please recipe to
Delicious and easy! I night cook it a little less next time.
Made the bread for my wife and her family. It was excellent..I added chopped walnuts. Delish…
I made this. Although it called for reg milk, I used buttermilk. I also chopped the cranberries in my food processor. I did not have oranges on hand, but had small clementines. This bread was beautiful and literally melted in your mouth. I will definitely be making this again and again!!
Thank you for this recipe!
My bread fell in the middle. What happened? I used frozen cranberries
Instead of Oil & Milk, I used melted butter and plain yogurt. Turned out good.
Do you thaw the cranberries prior to use or leave them frozen and flour and put into batter?
I love cranberry orange in bread, muffins, and cookies. I am not a fan of fresh cranberries. They are too tart. I like the dried ones better. HA!! This looks delicious.
Looks and sounds great. Will back this tomorrow
Very good. I put a teaspoon of sugar and mix my orange zest in before adding to batter.
It was super simple and tasty, but came out incredibly dry 🤷♀️☹
If I’m using fresh cranberries do I have to take the seeds out? Or put them in whole?
I wonder why my brad took longer to cook. I know my oven is slow but it took 1/12 hrs.
I haven’t cut it yet. Hope it isn’t dry. Smells great.
This cranberry bread is too tart for me. Does it need more sugar and chop the cranberries? Can dry cranberries be used.
Made this and the family loved it. Will make again for holidays. Easy and delish. Thanks for sharing!
Great recipe… I’ve made it 4 times already in the last month and everyone liked it without the glaze but when I added the glaze everyone was in love with it. the only thing I’m having problems is thickening the glaze more or else it just kinda falls right off the bread
Can I use butter instead of oil
Can loaf be frozen glazed or should it be frozen unglazed?
Can you use jellied cranberry instead of frozen cranberries?
Can I substitute craisins?
Haven’t made it yet but know I will love it. Have been looking for this recipe for years! A favorite from my childhood!