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Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe - Quick Bread with Citrus

Get ready to discover the ultimate Cranberry Orange Bread, a quick bread that perfectly marries the tartness of cranberries with the bright zest of oranges. This delightful citrus-infused loaf is incredibly easy to make, delivering a moist, flavorful experience that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. If you're looking for a simple yet elegant bake that brings warmth and cheer to any occasion, this is the recipe for you!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Quick Bread
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Bread
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk whole milk recommended
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest from one large orange
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries do not thaw if frozen
For the Orange Glaze (Optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Equipment

  • 9x5-inch loaf pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon
  • Wire rack
  • Microplane or Zester (for orange zest)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
  3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the milk, melted unsalted butter, large egg, and orange zest. Whisk well until all the wet ingredients are thoroughly combined.
    1 cup milk, ½ cup unsalted butter, melted, 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon orange zest
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are fine.
  5. Gently fold in the fresh or frozen cranberries. If using frozen, do not thaw them.
    1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  6. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and spread it smoothly to the edges.
  7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.
  8. Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes.
  9. Carefully lift the bread out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang or invert it onto the wire rack to cool completely.
  10. While the bread cools, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of fresh orange juice in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust consistency as needed.
    1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  11. Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the orange glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

For an extra touch, you can lightly toast chopped walnuts or pecans and fold them into the batter along with the cranberries. This adds a lovely crunch and nutty flavor.
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