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Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe

5 from 63 reviews

A moist and flavorful Cranberry Orange Bread scented with fresh orange zest and juice, studded with tart cranberries, and topped with a tangy orange glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bread:

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup (180ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 2 cups (200g) fresh cranberries

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • 23 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • ½ teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bread after baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and optional ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, egg, fresh orange juice, and orange zest. Whisk together until smooth.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; a few lumps are okay to keep the bread tender.
  5. Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold the fresh cranberries into the batter, spreading them evenly throughout.
  6. Fill the Pan and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool the Bread: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Prepare the Glaze: While the bread cools, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice, and orange zest in a bowl. Adjust by adding more orange juice as needed to create a smooth, pourable glaze.
  9. Glaze the Bread: Once the bread is fully cooled, drizzle the orange glaze generously over the top. Allow it to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh cranberries for the best tart flavor. Frozen cranberries can be used but may yield more moisture.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute melted butter with melted coconut oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the bread moist and tender.
  • If you prefer a sweeter bread, increase the sugar in the batter slightly, but remember the glaze also adds sweetness.
  • Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Cranberry Orange Bread, Orange Zest Bread, Glazed Cranberry Bread, Holiday Bread, Quick Bread, Fruity Loaf