This Cranberry Bread Recipe is a festive quick bread filled with tart cranberries, bright orange flavor, and a tender buttery crumb.

It’s beautifully colorful, easy to prepare, and perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunch tables, afternoon tea, or homemade gifting during the winter season.

Fresh cranberries add a lovely pop of tartness, while orange zest and juice bring a bright citrus flavor that balances the sweetness. Finished with a simple orange glaze, this homemade loaf is cozy, flavorful, and makes a beautiful addition to any dessert or breakfast spread.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Bread

• Perfect holiday flavor: The combination of cranberries and orange creates a classic winter inspired taste.
• Easy quick bread recipe: No yeast or complicated steps are needed, making this loaf simple to prepare.
• Soft and tender crumb: Melted butter keeps the bread moist while creating a rich bakery-style texture.
• Beautiful presentation: The bright cranberries and orange glaze make every slice look festive.
• Great for gifting: Wrap the loaf beautifully and share it with friends, family, or neighbors.
• Versatile serving option: Enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an afternoon snack with coffee or tea.

Ingredient Insights and Smart Tips

1. Fresh cranberries: Roughly chopped cranberries distribute their tart flavor throughout the loaf while preventing large sour bites. Fresh cranberries provide the best texture, but frozen can also work.
2. Orange zest and juice: Orange adds natural sweetness and freshness that pairs perfectly with cranberries. The zest provides concentrated citrus aroma, while the juice adds moisture.
3. Melted butter: Butter creates a rich flavor and tender texture. Allow it to cool slightly before mixing with eggs to prevent curdling.
4. Baking powder and baking soda: This combination helps the loaf rise properly while maintaining a soft crumb.
5. Nuts: Pecans or walnuts add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor. They can be skipped if you prefer a nut-free loaf.
6. Orange glaze: The simple powdered sugar glaze adds extra sweetness and enhances the citrus flavor without making the bread too heavy.

Cranberry Bread

This Cranberry Bread Recipe is a festive quick bread filled with tart cranberries, bright orange flavor, and a tender buttery crumb. It’s easy to make, beautifully colorful, and perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunch tables, afternoon tea, or gifting during the winter season.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 10

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 285

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

For the Cranberry Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ¾ cup fresh cranberries roughly chopped
• ½ cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional

For the Orange Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• ½ teaspoon orange zest

Equipment

• 9×5-inch loaf pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Zester
• Wire cooling rack

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
   
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest. Stir in the chopped cranberries and nuts if using.
   
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, orange juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
   
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the bread dense.
   
5. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
   
6. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before adding glaze.
   
7. Whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cranberry bread, slice, and serve.
   

Nutrition Information

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing the batter: Mixing too much develops gluten and can make the bread dense instead of tender.
• Using hot melted butter: Allow butter to cool slightly before combining it with eggs.
• Skipping parchment paper: Lining the pan makes removing the loaf easier and prevents sticking.
• Adding too many cranberries: Too much fruit can make the bread heavy and affect baking time.
• Glazing warm bread: The glaze can melt into the loaf instead of creating a beautiful finish.
• Slicing too early: Allow the bread to cool completely for cleaner slices and better texture.

Easy Variations to Try

• Cranberry Walnut Bread: Add extra chopped walnuts for more crunch and nutty flavor.
• Chocolate Cranberry Bread: Fold in white chocolate chips for a sweeter holiday version.
• Lemon Cranberry Bread: Replace orange zest and juice with lemon for a brighter citrus flavor.
• Cream Cheese Cranberry Bread: Add a cream cheese swirl for a richer dessert-style loaf.
• Cranberry Almond Bread: Replace walnuts with sliced almonds and add almond extract.
• Spiced Cranberry Bread: Add cinnamon or ginger for extra holiday warmth.
• Mini Cranberry Loaves: Divide the batter into smaller loaf pans for gifting.

More Recipes You May Like

1. Egg Casserole
2. Broccoli Cheese Casserole
3. Paleo Whole30 Egg Potato Boats
4. Healthy Banana Spinach Muffins
5. Egg White Frittata

How to Store Cranberry Bread

1. Room temperature: Store the cooled bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly for up to 3 days.
2. Refrigerator: Keep the loaf refrigerated if you prefer a longer storage time. It will stay fresh for up to 1 week.
3. Freezer: Wrap individual slices or the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.
4. Thaw properly: Let frozen slices thaw at room temperature or warm them gently before serving.
5. Keep the glaze fresh: If making ahead for gifting, consider adding the glaze shortly before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
   Yes. Frozen cranberries can be used without thawing, but they may slightly increase the baking time.
2. Why did my cranberries sink to the bottom?
   Heavy fruit can sink when the batter is thin. Tossing cranberries with a little flour can help them stay evenly distributed.
3. Can I make cranberry bread without nuts?
   Absolutely. The nuts are optional and can be removed without changing the recipe.
4. How do I know when cranberry bread is done?
   Insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
5. Can I make this recipe into muffins?
   Yes. Divide the batter into a lined muffin pan and adjust the baking time since muffins cook faster.
6. Why should the bread cool before glazing?
   A completely cooled loaf prevents the glaze from melting and creates a smoother finish.
7. What can I serve with cranberry bread?
   Serve it with coffee, tea, butter, cream cheese, or a warm holiday beverage for a delicious pairing.

Anjali Arora

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