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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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
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.
    Cranberry Bread Recipe
  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.
    Cranberry Bread Recipe
  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.