Description
This Cranberry Bread with Orange Glaze is a delightful holiday treat featuring juicy fresh cranberries and a moist, tender crumb. Enhanced with bright orange zest and juice, this sweet bread offers a perfect balance of tart and citrus flavors. The orange glaze adds a shiny, flavorful finish making it ideal as a festive homemade Christmas gift or a comforting seasonal snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (for cranberries)
- 1/4 cup milk (room temperature)
- Zest of 1 large orange (divided: most for batter, 1 tsp reserved for glaze)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries (rinsed and patted dry)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice (or more to adjust consistency)
- 1 tsp reserved orange zest
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Toss the fresh cranberries with 1/2 tablespoon flour to coat evenly. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the bread during baking.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the milk, orange juice, and the majority of the orange zest (reserve 1 tsp for the glaze).
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
- Carefully fold the floured cranberries into the batter to evenly distribute.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for approximately 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice, and the reserved orange zest. Adjust the juice quantity to achieve your desired glaze consistency.
- Once the bread is completely cooled, drizzle the orange glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This bread makes a great holiday gift. <li.Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 326
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg