Get ready to bake the most delightful Cranberry Orange Bread you’ve ever tasted. This recipe creates a wonderfully moist and tender loaf, bursting with the bright, zesty flavor of fresh oranges and the tart pop of cranberries. It’s the perfect treat for a holiday morning, a cozy afternoon snack, or a thoughtful homemade gift. If you’ve been searching for a foolproof quick bread that delivers incredible flavor every time, you’ve found it.
Why This is the Best Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
What sets this Cranberry Orange Bread apart? It’s all about the texture and the vibrant, perfectly balanced flavor. We use key techniques to ensure a super moist crumb that never comes out dry. The combination of fresh orange juice and a generous amount of orange zest creates a powerful citrus aroma and taste that infuses every bite. To top it all off, a simple yet delicious orange glaze adds an extra layer of sweetness and makes the loaf look absolutely stunning.
This recipe is straightforward and uses simple ingredients, making it accessible even for beginner bakers. It’s a “quick bread,” which means no yeast or proofing time is required. Just mix, pour, and bake!
Key Ingredients for Perfect Cranberry Orange Bread
The magic of this bread comes from simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this zesty loaf to life.
For the Bread
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our bread.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the tart cranberries.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to create a beautiful rise.
- Salt: A crucial ingredient that enhances all the other flavors.
- Large Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
- Vegetable Oil: The secret to an incredibly moist and tender crumb.
- Orange Juice & Zest: The power duo for that amazing citrus flavor. Be sure to use fresh zest for the best results!
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft texture.
- Fresh Cranberries: Provide those beautiful jewel-toned pops of tartness.
For the Zesty Orange Glaze
- Powdered Sugar: The base for our smooth, sweet glaze.
- Orange Juice: Thins the glaze and adds another layer of orange flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to bake the perfect loaf. This easy cranberry orange bread recipe is designed to be as simple as possible.
Prepare Your Pan and Ingredients
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange zest, and milk until well combined.
Mix the Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula until just combined—be careful not to overmix! A few lumps are perfectly fine. Gently fold in the fresh cranberries. Tossing the cranberries in a tablespoon of flour before adding them can help prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Orange Glaze
While the bread is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving your delicious cranberry orange bread.
Pro-Tips for the Moistest, Most Flavorful Bread
Want to elevate your bread from great to unforgettable? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: The most common mistake with quick breads is overmixing. This develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense loaf instead of a tender one. Mix only until the flour is just incorporated.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Allowing your egg and milk to come to room temperature helps them incorporate more evenly into the batter, creating a lighter texture.
- Fresh is Best: For the most vibrant flavor, use freshly squeezed orange juice and freshly grated orange zest. The zest contains essential oils that provide the strongest orange flavor.
Recipe Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to make it your own with these simple variations.
- Add Nuts: For a delightful crunch, fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans along with the cranberries.
- Warm Spices: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, spicy note that complements the other flavors beautifully.
- Cranberry Orange Muffins: To make muffins, divide the batter evenly among 12 lined muffin cups and bake for 20-25 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
How to Store Cranberry Orange Bread
To keep your bread fresh and delicious, proper storage is key. Once completely cooled, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will stay moist and fresh at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the unsliced loaf for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Prepare the batter as directed and divide it evenly among 12 lined muffin cups. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Yes! If using frozen cranberries, you can add them directly to the batter without thawing. If using dried cranberries, reduce the amount to 1 cup and consider soaking them in hot water for 10 minutes to plump them up before adding.
A great trick is to toss the cranberries in one tablespoon of the dry flour mixture before folding them into the batter. The light coating of flour helps them stay suspended in the batter as it bakes.
Store the completely cooled bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the entire loaf for up to 3 months.
The most common causes for dry or tough quick bread are overmixing the batter or overbaking. Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until they are just combined, and start checking for doneness a few minutes before the recipe’s stated bake time.
More Delicious Recipes to Bake
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’re sure to love some of our other baking creations. For a decadent treat, try these incredible brownie bottom cookie dough cheesecake bars. If you’re in the mood for something classic, you can’t go wrong with our foolproof cinnamon rolls recipe. And for a healthy but delicious snack, these protein balls are a must-try.
Enjoy Your Homemade Bread!
There’s nothing quite like the smell and taste of freshly baked bread from your own kitchen. We hope you love this Cranberry Orange Bread recipe as much as we do. If you make it, we’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or share a picture of your beautiful loaf on Pinterest.
Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
Cranberry Orange Bread (The Ultimate Moist & Zesty Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, vegetable oil, 3/4 cup orange juice, orange zest, and milk.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix. Gently fold in the fresh cranberries.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, tent it with foil for the last 15 minutes.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the completely cooled bread. Let the glaze set before slicing.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure your bread is completely cool before adding the glaze, otherwise it will melt and become transparent.
Tip 3: This bread tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together!
