This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

A combination of sweet oranges and tart cranberries make the perfect flavor in this Cranberry Orange Bread. Use fresh orange juice and zest for the sweet orange glaze.

Tart cranberries and sweet oranges just go together, right? Cranberry orange muffins, punch, Jello and cranberry sauce…there are so many options for this flavor combination and today we’re adding one more.

If you’re looking for a breakfast bread to serve during the holiday season, this Cranberry Orange Bread recipe is for you. It’s sweet and bursting with orange flavor, but also has a touch tart from the cranberries. The bright berries give the bread a festive look. It’s beautiful for Christmas morning and even for giving as a hostess gift.

a loaf of cranberry orange bread on a plate

Fresh or Frozen Cranberries

In our area, we can only find fresh whole cranberries during the holiday season. Other times of the year we have to buy frozen cranberries. And actually, fresh cranberries freeze really well, so I stock up on them during cranberry season.

If you use fresh cranberries, wash them, toss them with flour, then add them to the batter and fold them in gently.

I’ve not tried this specific recipe with dried cranberries, but if you have some to use up, try our pecan cranberry loaf.

Ingredients

A few notes about the ingredients:

Fresh oranges. This orange cranberry bread is best if you use fresh oranges. You’ll squeeze out the fresh juice, but also use fresh orange zest (grated orange peel) for sweet orange flavor in both the bread and the glaze.
Oil. Canola or vegetable oil works well. For a hint of coconut, try melted coconut oil. It’s delicious in easy quick breads!
Vanilla extract. This adds a warm familiar flavor. You could use another flavor extract if you’d like, such as rum extract.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread

To prepare, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease an 8 1/2″x 4 1/2″ non-stick bread pan with cooking spray. For the easiest removal, line the baking pan with parchment paper. Buy my favorite loaf pan.

I’ve also baked this cranberry orange loaf in a 9×5″ loaf pan. Different sizes work, but it may change the baking time by a few minutes, so check the bread to ensure it is done.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In another large bowl, whisk together the sugar, milk, orange juice, zest, oil, eggs and vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not over mix.

quick bread batter in a glass bowl with a spatula

In a small bowl, toss the frozen cranberries with a tablespoon of flour to coat. Gently fold the cranberries into the batter.

floured cranberries in a bowl with a spatula

Pour the bread batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of the bread should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the bread is getting too brown on top, cover loosely with aluminum foil while it finishes baking.

a loaf of cranberry orange bread in a pan

Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes, then remove the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.

Orange Glaze for Sweet Bread

Powdered sugar glaze is simple to make for any easy quick bread recipe.

For this bread, whisk together 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.

ingredients for orange glaze in a bowl unmixed

For the smoothest results, run the powdered sugar through a sifter first to get any lumps out.

a slice of cranberry orange bread on a plate with a fork

Storage Instructions

This orange-glazed cranberry bread is best served at room temperature.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 48 hours.
Refrigerate the loaf for up to 4 days.
This bread freezes well, but is best if you freeze it without the glaze. Wrap the loaf in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
To thaw, let the bread sit in the packaging at room temperature. Unwrap and serve when it is fully thawed.

Cranberry Orange Bread

4.67 from 269 votes

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.

Servings 10

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1 10

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

For the Bread:

3/4 cup granulated sugar 150 grams
1/3 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Zest of 1 orange
1/2 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour 260 grams
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups frozen cranberries
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

For the Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Zest of 1 orange
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease an 8 1/2″x 4 1/2″ non-stick bread pan with cooking spray. For the easiest removal, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In another large bowl, whisk together the sugar, milk, orange juice, zest, oil, eggs and vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not over mix.
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 the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes. The top of the loaf will be golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center of the bread should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
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.

Video

Notes

See the recipe article for more tips and tricks.

The calories shown are based on the bread being cut into 10 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of bread. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**

Nutrition

Author Julie Clark

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 306

Keyword cranberry bread, cranberry orange, orange bread, quick bread recipe