If you’re looking to brighten up your baking repertoire with a perfect balance of tart and sweet, the Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe is an absolute must-try. This loaf boasts tender crumbs soaked with citrusy freshness and bursts of juicy cranberries that create a stunning color and flavor contrast. Topped with a luscious orange glaze, each slice delivers a delightful harmony of textures and tastes, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. Once you make this crowd-pleaser, it’s sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in texture, flavor, and color. From the bright zest of orange to the tart punch of fresh cranberries, every component is chosen to build a loaf that’s both vibrant and comforting.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups, 250g): The base that gives the bread its soft, sturdy crumb.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup, 200g): Adds sweetness and helps with browning for that golden crust.
- Baking powder (1 1/2 tsp): Provides the essential lift to keep the bread light and fluffy.
- Baking soda (1/2 tsp): Works with the orange juice to create perfect rise and crumb texture.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Balances flavors and enhances the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon (1/4 tsp, optional): Adds a warm, subtle spice that complements orange beautifully.
- Unsalted butter, melted (1/4 cup, 57g): Imparts richness and moisture.
- Large egg (1): Binds ingredients and adds tenderness.
- Fresh orange juice (3/4 cup, 180ml): Brings vibrant citrus flavor and acidity for lift.
- Orange zest (1 tbsp): Packs concentrated orange aroma and flavor without added liquid.
- Fresh cranberries (2 cups, 200g): Fresh, tart bursts of color and flavor throughout the bread.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup, 120g): For the glaze, providing sweetness and silky texture.
- Additional fresh orange juice (2-3 tbsp): Thins the glaze to a perfect drizzle consistency.
- Additional orange zest (1/2 tsp): Infuses the glaze with extra citrusy brightness.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan generously and line it with parchment paper. The parchment ensures easy removal of your beautiful loaf later, and the greasing prevents any sticking. This little prep step saves you from any post-baking frustrations.
Step 2: Combine Your Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if you’re using it. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures an even distribution of leavening agents and spices, which will help your bread rise evenly and have a consistent flavor.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, egg, fresh orange juice, and orange zest. The bright orange zest and juice bring fresh citrus notes that will really shine through in your bread, cutting through the sweetness and complementing the cranberries perfectly.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine! Overmixing can make the bread dense and tough, but the gentle folding keeps the crumb tender and light.
Step 5: Fold in the Cranberries
Now, gently fold in the fresh cranberries. This step ensures the berries stay intact and evenly distributed throughout the batter, giving your bread those gorgeous pops of tartness and color we’re all craving.
Step 6: Transfer Batter and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the loaf’s center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. This baking time gives you a golden crust wrapping a moist, flavorful interior.
Step 7: Cool Before Glazing
Once baked, let the bread cool in its pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling is crucial—it allows the bread to set so it slices neatly and gives the glaze a solid surface to adhere to.
Step 8: Prepare and Apply the Orange Glaze
While the bread cools, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice, and 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest in a bowl. Add a little more juice if needed to create a smooth, pourable glaze. When your bread is fully cool, drizzle it generously over the top. The glaze sets in just a few minutes, adding a sweet, citrusy finish that ties the whole loaf together.
How to Serve Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of elegance, dust the loaf lightly with powdered sugar before serving or sprinkle a few fresh cranberries and additional orange zest on top of the glaze. This makes for a stunning presentation that hints at the flavors found inside.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea, making it a perfect partner for your morning or afternoon break. For a heartier snack, serve it alongside creamy yogurt or a sharp wedge of cheddar cheese—the tang in the dairy perfectly complements the citrus and cranberry flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the bread thick and toasting it lightly for a warm, crunchy treat. You can also turn it into mini bread puddings by cutting into cubes and baking with a custard mixture. Whether plain or creatively transformed, this bread never fails to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover cranberry orange bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It will stay fresh on the counter for up to 3 days, or you can refrigerate it to extend its life to about a week without drying out.
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in aluminum foil and then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well for up to 3 months. To enjoy later, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating
Reheat slices in a toaster or oven for a few minutes to bring back that freshly baked taste and warmth. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the bread chewy or rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen cranberries work fine, but make sure to thaw and drain them well before folding into the batter to avoid excess moisture that could affect the texture.
Is the cinnamon necessary in this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe?
Cinnamon is optional but highly recommended for a warm spice note that complements the tart cranberries and bright orange. Feel free to leave it out if you prefer a pure citrus flavor.
Can I substitute orange juice with another juice?
You can use other citrus juices like lemon or grapefruit, but the flavor will change. Orange juice provides a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity that’s ideal for this recipe.
What kind of icing sugar works best for the glaze?
Powdered sugar (also called confectioners’ sugar) is ideal as it dissolves smoothly and creates that classic shiny glaze texture.
Can I make this bread gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum. The texture may vary slightly, but the flavors will remain delicious.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something so heartwarming about slicing into this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe—a loaf that’s as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or friends, this recipe brings sunshine and joy with every bite. So grab those fresh cranberries and oranges, and start baking your way to happy moments and satisfied smiles!
Print
Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cranberry Orange Bread is a delightful combination of tart fresh cranberries and bright orange flavor, baked into a moist and tender loaf. Finished with a sweet and zesty orange glaze, it makes a perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or a festive snack.
Ingredients
Bread
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup (180ml) fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 cups (200g) fresh cranberries
Glaze
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: 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.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon if using, ensuring they are well combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the melted unsalted butter, large egg, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until fully blended.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; some lumps are fine to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in cranberries: Carefully fold the fresh cranberries into the batter, distributing them evenly without breaking them up too much.
- Fill the loaf pan: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
- Bake the bread: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is cooked through.
- Cool the bread: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Make the glaze: While the bread is cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice, and orange zest in a bowl. Add more orange juice gradually if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
- Glaze the bread: Once the bread has completely cooled, drizzle the orange glaze evenly over the top of the loaf.
- Set the glaze and serve: Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing the bread and serving to enjoy the perfect balance of citrus and cranberry flavors.
Notes
- To prevent overmixing, stir the batter just until combined; lumps are okay.
- You can substitute frozen cranberries if fresh are not available, but do not thaw them before folding in.
- For a dairy-free version, replace butter with coconut oil or a plant-based margarine.
- Make sure the bread is completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- The glaze consistency can be adjusted with more or less orange juice to your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
