Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread: How to Make

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the season with our truly irresistible Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread! This festive treat brings together the bright, tangy burst of fresh cranberries with the sweet and zesty notes of orange, creating a harmonious balance that will have your taste buds singing.¹ Perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy winter afternoons, or as a year-round indulgence, this homemade cranberry bread is a true showstopper you’ll want to bake again and again.²

Why This Cranberry Bread Will Be Your New Favorite

When it comes to holiday baking, the cranberry orange flavor combination is a classic that never disappoints. This easy make-ahead recipe for Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread offers the perfect balance of sweet and tart, making it a guaranteed hit for your holiday dessert table or any time you need a comforting treat.

Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart: The combination of juicy cranberries and fragrant orange zest and juice creates a delightful harmony.³ The naturally tart cranberries are beautifully complemented by the sweet orange glaze, resulting in a delectable flavor profile.
A Cherished Holiday Tradition: With its festive appearance and irresistible taste, this bread has all the makings of a cherished holiday baking tradition in your home. It’s the perfect accompaniment to celebrations throughout the season.
Make-Ahead Convenience: One of the best features of this recipe is its make-ahead convenience. You can bake the bread several days in advance and even freeze it, making it an ideal choice for busy holiday schedules. Simply thaw, glaze, and enjoy!

Essential Tools & Key Ingredients

To bake the perfect Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread, having the right kitchen tools and ingredients is crucial.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need:

Loaf Pan: A standard 9×5 inch, heavy-duty metal loaf pan with a nonstick coating is ideal for even baking and easy release.
Mixing Bowls: A set of sturdy glass or stainless steel bowls (2-3 quart for batter, 1 quart for glaze) will make preparation a breeze.
Zester: A fine-toothed zester (like a microplane) is a must for effortlessly removing fragrant zest from oranges without the bitter white pith.⁴

Key Ingredients for Vibrant Flavor:

Cranberries: While fresh cranberries offer a juicy, tart burst, you can also use dried cranberries for a chewy, concentrated flavor.⁵
Oranges: Choose oranges with a vibrant, thin rind. The orange zest is essential for adding deep, aromatic flavor to both the bread and the glaze.⁶
Pantry Staples:
- All-purpose flour for the bread’s structure.
- Sugar to balance the tartness of the cranberries.
- Butter for a rich, tender crumb.
- Eggs to provide structure and moisture.⁷
- Baking powder and baking soda for perfect leavening.
- Salt to enhance all the delicious flavors.
- Powdered sugar for the luscious orange glaze.⁸

Mastering Orange Zesting and Juicing

The secret to truly vibrant Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread starts with expertly zesting and juicing your oranges.

Orange Zest Technique: Use a microplane or fine grater to remove only the outermost, colorful layer of the orange peel. Avoid the bitter white pith underneath. Zest directly into your mixing bowl to capture every bit of that aromatic goodness.
Citrus Juicing Tips: Roll the orange firmly on your countertop before slicing to help release the juices.⁹ Use freshly picked oranges for the best flavor. Squeeze by hand or with a citrus juicer, being careful to exclude any bitter pith or seeds.

Mixing & Baking to Perfection

Careful attention to mixing and baking techniques will ensure your bread is delightfully moist and tender.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature. This helps them combine smoothly, creating a consistent batter.
Mixing Sequence: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Alternate adding dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt) with orange juice and zest. Finally, gently fold in the cranberries, being careful not to overmix the batter, which can lead to a tough texture.
Baking Temperature & Time:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).¹⁰
- Bake a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan for 55-60 minutes.
- Doneness Test: Insert a toothpick or skewer into the center. If it comes out clean, your bread is ready! If not, bake for another 5-10 minutes and test again.

Creating the Perfect Orange Glaze

The orange glaze is the crowning glory, adding sweetness, tang, and a beautiful sheen.

Glaze Consistency: Whisk powdered sugar gradually into freshly squeezed orange juice until you achieve a smooth, pourable, medium-thick consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more juice; if too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
Application Techniques: Allow the baked bread to cool completely before glazing. Drizzle the glaze generously over the top with a spoon, allowing it to drip down the sides. For a more uniform coating, use a pastry brush.

Storage, Freezing & Serving Ideas

This Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread is incredibly versatile and stores wonderfully!

Room Temperature: Tightly wrapped in plastic or foil, it stays fresh for up to 3 days.
Refrigeration: Extends freshness up to 1 week when tightly wrapped.¹¹
Freezing: For long-term bread storage, wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in a freezer bag. It keeps well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions:
- Breakfast: Serve toasted with butter or cream cheese, or alongside scrambled eggs and Greek yogurt with fresh berries.
- Holiday Table: Slice into elegant wedges, drizzle with extra glaze, and garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, or a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch.

Troubleshooting Tips

Don’t fret if you encounter common baking challenges!

Dry, Crumbly Texture: Often caused by overbaking or not enough moisture. Try reducing baking time or slightly increasing orange juice/cranberry amounts.
Sunken Middle: Can happen from overmixing the batter or too high an oven temperature. Ensure your oven is accurately preheated and mix only until ingredients are just combined.

With these tips, you’ll be baking perfect Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread every time! What’s your favorite way to enjoy quick breads?

Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread Recipe Card

An irresistible Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread combining tangy fresh cranberries with sweet, zesty orange zest and a bright orange glaze. Perfect for holiday baking or any time you crave a delightful, make-ahead dessert or breakfast treat!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55-60 minutes

Total Time: 70-75 minutes

Yield: 1 loaf (12 servings)

Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Quick Bread

Method: Baking

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients:

For the Bread:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs, room temperature¹²
½ cup fresh orange juice
1 tbsp orange zest (from 1 large orange)
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

For the Orange Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp fresh orange juice

Instructions:

Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).¹³ Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Mix Dry: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix Wet: In a large bowl, cream softened butter until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.
Combine: Gradually add dry mixture to wet, alternating with orange juice and zest. Mix until just combined.
Add Cranberries: Gently fold in cranberries. Do not overmix.
Bake: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool: Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.¹⁴
Make Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth and pourable.
Glaze & Serve: Drizzle glaze over cooled bread.¹⁵ Slice and enjoy!

Notes:

Fresh vs. Frozen Cranberries: Both work! If using frozen, do not thaw before adding to batter.
Zesting: Avoid the bitter white pith.
Overmixing: Mix only until ingredients are just combined for a tender crumb.
Storage: Store wrapped at room temp for 3 days, refrigerated for 1 week, or frozen for up to 3 months.¹⁶