Name: Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 cup milk (room temperature); Zest of 1 large orange (divided); 1/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed); 6 Tbsp unsalted butter (softened); 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs (room temperature); 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries (rinsed and patted dry); 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (for cranberries); 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 1/2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice (or to reach desired consistency); 1 tsp orange zest (reserved from the orange above)

I’m so excited to share this **Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe** with you because it’s one of those rare treats that feels like a fresh, citrusy hug wrapped around tart bursts of cranberry in every bite. When I first tried it, I was amazed how the orange zest and juice brightened up the flavor, giving this bread such a lively twist compared to your usual quick bread. Plus, the sweet orange glaze on top? Fan-freaking-tastic! Trust me, once you bake this, it’ll become a favorite for breakfasts, snacks, and even dessert!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Flavors: The tart cranberries combined with fresh orange zest make every bite burst with bright, refreshing taste.
Moist and Tender Texture: The crumb stays soft for days thanks to this recipe’s careful balance of wet and dry ingredients.
Easy to Make: You don’t need any fancy equipment or techniques—just basic baking staples and a little love.
Versatile and Gift-Worthy: It’s a beautiful loaf that freezes well and makes a thoughtful homemade gift around the holidays.

The image shows three slices of a yellow cake with pieces of red fruit inside. The cake appears moist with a soft texture, and it is topped with a thick white icing that drips slightly over the sides. The layers include the golden-brown crust at the bottom, a middle layer filled with red fruit chunks, and the creamy white icing layer on top. The slices are placed on a wooden surface with visible grain patterns. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze, cranberry orange quick bread, citrus cranberry bread, festive holiday bread, easy cranberry orange baking

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe work incredibly well together to create a perfect harmony of flavor and texture. Using fresh cranberries and freshly squeezed orange juice really elevates the taste. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll want to have ready before baking.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a teaspoon of baking powder in a small white bowl, a small white bowl with fine salt, a small white bowl filled with milk, bright fresh orange zest curls, a small white bowl with freshly squeezed orange juice, a pat of softened unsalted butter, a heap of granulated sugar, two large whole uncracked brown eggs, a cluster of plump fresh cranberries, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze, cranberry orange quick bread, citrus cranberry bread, festive holiday bread, easy cranberry orange baking

All-purpose flour: The foundation for a tender yet sturdy bread; choose a good-quality brand for best results.
Baking powder: Helps the bread rise nicely without any heaviness.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors.
Milk: Use room temperature for smooth mixing and moist crumb.
Orange zest: Freshly grated from a large orange – this adds a bright citrus zing.
Orange juice: Freshly squeezed is best, giving natural juice notes for the bread and glaze.
Unsalted butter: Softened to blend perfectly, lending richness to your bread.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread while balancing tart cranberries.
Eggs: At room temperature; they provide structure and moisture.
Fresh cranberries: Rinsed and dried; these little bursts of tartness are the star ingredient.
Additional flour for cranberries: Tossing cranberries with a bit of flour prevents them from sinking in the batter.
Powdered sugar: For the glaze; dissolves smoothly and gives that perfect sweet finish.
Reserved orange zest: Adds a pretty and tasty touch to the glaze.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this cranberry orange bread recipe is flexible enough to fit a range of flavor preferences or dietary needs. You can make it your own with a couple tweaks, and I encourage you to experiment once you’re comfortable with the base recipe!

Nutty Twist: Adding a half cup of chopped walnuts or pecans adds great texture and a lovely nutty flavor I personally adore.
Gluten-Free Version: I tried swapping all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, and it worked beautifully—just be sure to use a blend that includes xanthan gum for structure.
Orange Substitute: If oranges aren’t in season, lemon zest and juice make a delicious alternative that keeps that bright citrus vibe.
Reduce Sugar: You can cut back slightly on granulated sugar if you prefer less sweetness, but I find the amount here balances the tartness of the cranberries perfectly.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Cranberries and Zest Your Orange

Before jumping into mixing the batter, start by rinsing your fresh cranberries and patting them completely dry — excess moisture can weigh down the bread. Then zest the orange, making sure to only get the orange part of the peel and not the bitter white pith. I split the zest, saving some for the bread and some for the glaze to maximize that lovely orange aroma.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening evenly, so your bread rises beautifully. Set it aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Add Eggs

Using a hand or stand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—this takes about 3-4 minutes. It’s a step I used to rush, but I found that taking the time here really improves crumb texture. Then, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The eggs should be at room temperature to prevent curdling and to help the batter come together smoothly.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients and Fold into Dry

Add the orange juice, milk, and half of the orange zest to the butter mixture and mix gently. Then, gradually add the dry ingredients and stir until just combined—overmixing can make the bread dense, so stop as soon as you don’t see any more flour.

Step 5: Toss Cranberries with Flour and Fold In

Toss your cranberries with a bit of flour to keep them suspended in the batter and avoid sinking to the bottom during baking. Gently fold the cranberries into the batter with a spatula, trying not to break them up too much. This little trick ensures each slice gets those delicious bursts of berry!

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined loaf pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking times can vary, so start checking around 45 minutes. Once it’s done, let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step prevents sogginess from steam buildup.

Step 7: Make the Orange Glaze

While the bread cools, mix powdered sugar with remaining orange juice and reserved orange zest to make the glaze. Adjust the juice amount until you get the perfect pourable consistency—it should be thick but drizzly. I like to let the glaze sit a minute for the zest to infuse before drizzling.

Step 8: Glaze and Enjoy

Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. It hardens ever so slightly, giving a delightful sweet-tart contrast to the tender bread. Slice it up and prepare for compliments—you’ve nailed it!

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Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: I learned that having your eggs and milk at room temperature helps create a smooth batter and prevents it from curdling when mixed with butter.
Don’t Overmix: Overworking the batter develops gluten, which makes the bread tough; fold gently to keep the loaf tender.
Use Fresh Cranberries: Frozen can work, but fresh cranberries provide the best texture and that signature bright burst.
Check Doneness Early: Oven temperatures vary – start testing your bread for doneness around 45 minutes to prevent drying it out.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe

A close-up of a woman's hand holding a piece of golden yellow cake that is broken in half, showing two layers. The cake is moist with a soft crumb texture and has bright red berries scattered through both layers and the top, adding color contrast. The background shows more pieces of the same cake resting on a white marbled surface. The lighting highlights the moist texture and the berries' vibrant red spots photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze, cranberry orange quick bread, citrus cranberry bread, festive holiday bread, easy cranberry orange baking

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and elegant by adding a sprinkle of extra orange zest or a few whole fresh cranberries on top of the glaze just before it sets. It adds a pop of color and a fresh zing when you serve it.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee for breakfast or brunch. For an afternoon treat, I sometimes serve it alongside a mild cream cheese spread or homemade whipped honey butter to add richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve wrapped slices individually in parchment paper tied with twine to give as favors. You can also cut small slices and serve them on a charcuterie board with cheeses and nuts for a festive brunch option that’s sure to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap leftover cranberry orange bread tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. Because of the moisture in the bread, it stays soft and flavorful without drying out quickly.

Freezing

If you want to save it longer, I slice the bread before freezing and place slices in an airtight container or freezer bag. This way, you can defrost one or two slices at a time — perfect for portion control and quick snacks later on.

Reheating

To refresh the bread, I usually toast slices lightly or warm them in the microwave for about 15 seconds; this softens the crumb and warms the glaze slightly without melting it completely, preserving that perfect texture.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen cranberries, but be sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid extra moisture in the batter. I recommend patting them dry before tossing with flour so that the bread’s texture doesn’t get soggy.
How long does Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze stay fresh?

Stored wrapped at room temperature, this bread stays moist and fresh for up to 3 days. Beyond that, it’s best to freeze any leftovers to maintain flavor and texture.
Can I replace orange juice with another fruit juice?

You can substitute lemon juice for a slightly different citrus note or even apple juice for a milder, sweeter flavor. Keep in mind that different juices may change the glaze consistency and flavor balance slightly.
Is this recipe suitable for making mini loaves or muffins?

Absolutely! Adjust baking time accordingly—mini loaves or muffins usually take about 20-25 minutes at the same temperature. I’ve found they’re perfect for portion control or gifting.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe turns out every single time. It’s moist, flavorful, and has just the right pop of tartness and sweetness that makes it so memorable. Whenever I bring this loaf to a gathering or share it as a gift, people ask me for the recipe right away! I hope you enjoy baking and sharing it as much as I do — it’s truly a simple way to brighten up your day and impress your loved ones without stress. Go ahead and treat yourself to this citrusy, berry-packed delight! You won’t be sorry.