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4.7 from 134 votes

Cranberry Orange Bread

Jump to RecipeVideoPrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •11/19/22 50 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for cranberry orange bread.

This Cranberry Orange Bread is incredibly moist bursting with cranberries and citrus flavor! This Cranberry Bread is quick to prepare and a delicious holiday breakfast or brunch!

a cranberry orange bread with a few slices cut out of it on a cutting board.
Table of Contents Open
  • Easy Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
  • Why You’ll Love This Orange Quick Bread
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • Cranberry Orange Bread
    • Orange Glaze
  • How To Make Cranberry Orange Bread
    • Preheat The Oven And Prep The Pan
    • Prep The Cranberries
    • Combine The Dry Ingredients
    • Combine The Wet Ingredients
    • Make The Matter
    • Bake The Bread
    • Cool And Serve
  • What’s Quick Bread?
  • The Key To A Moist Loaf
  • Expert Tips
  • Storing Leftover Cranberry Orange Bread
    • Freezing
    • Reheating
  • Other Delicious Quick Breads To Try
  • Cranberry Orange Bread
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Video
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

Easy Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

Around this time of year I love making quick breads. They’re simple to put together, but you can customize them for any time of the year with your favorite fruits and different flavors.

For this time of year, cranberries and oranges are perfect, they go great together and they are made for a quick bread such as this. Quick breads are great because as the name says they are quick, require no yeast, no rising time, usually you can put them together in 10 minutes or less, bake and enjoy. So if you love the flavors of cranberries and orange together then this bread is for you.

2 slices of cranberry orange bread on a metal plate garnished with lemon zest.

Why You’ll Love This Orange Quick Bread

  • Quick and Easy! This cranberry orange bread recipe is foolproof and comes together in just about an hour. You don’t need any fancy ingredients and it’s ideal for novice bakers.
  • Cranberry Orange Bliss! When you add tart cranberries and sweet orange to a simple perfectly balanced batter what you get is the best cranberry orange bread.
  • Easy Holiday Breakfast! With all the classic holiday flavors, this quick bread with fresh cranberries is a fantastic make ahead holiday breakfast option that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cranberry Orange Bread

ingredients needed to make cranberry orange bread.
  • Flour – Simple all-purpose flour is all you need for this recipe.
  • Baking Powder – Used as a leavening agent it helps the bread rise.
  • Baking Soda – It reacts with the acidic ingredients in the batter and helps the bread to rise just like the baking powder.
  • Salt – A dash of salt balances the sweetness. 
  • Sugar – Granulated white sugar is used to add a touch of sweetness. 
  • Butter – I always use unsalted butter in all my baking recipes, however, if you salted butter is all you have, you’ll have to adjust the salt amount in the recipe.
  • Milk – I always use whole milk or 2%, but any type of milk you have on hand is fine including dairy free varieties. 
  • Orange Juice – Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor.
  • Orange Zest – Adds lovely hints of natural orange flavor
  • Eggs – You will need large eggs to help bind the batter.
  • Cranberries – You will need fresh or frozen cranberries.

Orange Glaze

ingredients needed to make orange glaze.
  • Powdered Sugar – The same as icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar.
  • Orange Juice – Use fresh orange juice for the best flavor.
  • Orange Zest – Adds lovely hints of natural orange flavor

How To Make Cranberry Orange Bread

This quick bread recipe is one of the fastest types of bread to make! Hence, the name! And this recipe holds true. From start to finish you can have ready to eat cranberry orange bread in just an hour!

Preheat The Oven And Prep The Pan

First, preheat your oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) so that it is ready for baking once the batter is made. Then spray an 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. You can also grease it with oil if you prefer. 

Prep The Cranberries

process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.

Before you add the cranberries to the batter they need to be prepped for baking. To do this, just sprinkle them with a teaspoon of flour and toss them to coat. Then set the coated cranberries aside for a later step. Prepping the cranberries is done to keep them from sinking to the bottom of the bread. Also, if you are using frozen cranberries there is no need to thaw them out.

Combine The Dry Ingredients

process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.

Now, on to batter making! To begin, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.

Combine The Wet Ingredients

process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, orange juice, milk and orange zest until well combined.

Make The Matter

process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.

Then add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold them together using a rubber spatula. But do not overmix. Once there are no more large lumps, stop stirring. Finally, gently fold the cranberries into the batter.

Bake The Bread

process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.

To bake, evenly distribute the batter into the prepared pan. Then transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake the bread for about 45 minutes to an hour. When the bread is done a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center should come out clean. If it doesn’t come out clean you need to continue baking the bread and test it again. 

Cool And Serve

When done baking, allow the bread to cool for a few minutes on a wire rack then drizzle with orange glaze. Then slice it and serve it with a cup of coffee if you like. 

a hand drizzling orange glaze on cranberry orange bread.

What’s Quick Bread?

A quick bread is a bread that uses leavening agents other than yeast to rise. That means that we’re going to bake this more like a cake, with baking powder and baking soda. That means no kneading, no rolling, no resting (till it bakes of course) and a way more reliable finished product for our baking novices!

The Key To A Moist Loaf

The all important rule of thumb when making these sweet breads is to let them rest after baking. Some swear by leaving them overnight, others by just 1 hour, either way you need to make sure it gets some alone time! Usually this doesn’t work too well for me, but go ahead and try.

a cranberry orange bread with a few slices cut out of it on a cutting board.

Expert Tips

  1. Spray the pan well. You must grease the pan well with cooking spray or oil. The bread will most definitely stick if you do not. 
  2. Don’t overmix the batter. When combining the wet ingredients with the flour mixture it’s important to gently fold them together. Having lumps in the batter is normal. 
  3. Test your bread. A toothpick must come out clean before you remove your bread from the oven. You risk raw quick bread if you don’t test it. 
  4. Use a serrated knife. For the neatest slices use a serrated knife to cut the bread. It’s the perfect tool that won’t squish the bread and cut perfect slices.
a few slices of cranberry orange bread on a cutting board.

Storing Leftover Cranberry Orange Bread

Once the bread has cooled completely wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to 6 days.

Freezing

Wrap the cooled bread tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, then place it in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

If you froze the cranberry bread, thaw it out at room temperature for about an hour, unwrap it then transfer it to a baking sheet or loaf pan and bake for about 5 to 10 min at 350°F (177°C) or until heated through.

2 slices of cranberry orange bread on a metal plate garnished with lemon zest.

Other Delicious Quick Breads To Try

  • Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Loaf
  • Pumpkin Cinnamon Bread
  • Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Nut Bread
  • Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Loaf
  • Old Fashioned Lemon Bread
  • Chocolate Banana Bread
  • Cranberry Orange Muffins

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

a cranberry orange bread with a few slices cut out of it on a cutting board.
Print
4.65 from 134 votes

Cranberry Orange Bread

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 45 minutes
Total 55 minutes
Rate Recipe
This Cranberry Orange Bread is incredibly moist bursting with cranberries and citrus flavor! This Cranberry Bread is quick to prepare and a delicious holiday breakfast or brunch!
10

Ingredients

Cranberries

  • 1½ cups cranberries (fresh or frozen, roughly chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

Quick Bread

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • ¼ cup butter (unsalted and melted)

Orange Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoon orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

Make The Cranberry Orange Bread

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 8.5 x 4.5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Sprinkle a teaspoon of flour over the cranberries and mix; set aside. This will prevent the cranberries from sinking to the bottom of the bread. If using frozen cranberries, no need to thaw them out.
    process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.
  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt together.
    process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, orange juice, orange zest and melted butter.
    process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix using a whisk or a hand mixer, but do not overmix. Once there are no more large lumps, stop stirring. Gently fold in the prepared cranberries into the batter.
    process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.
  • Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared pan and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake the bread for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. To test if the bread is done, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread and if it comes out clean, the bread is done, otherwise continue baking. Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan.
    process shots showing how to make cranberry orange bread.

Make The Orange Glaze

  • In a medium size bowl, combine all the orange glaze ingredients together and whisk until well incorporated. Start with a tablespoon of orange juice and and more until desired consistency. The glaze should be pourable.
    process shots showing how to make orange glaze.
  • Finally, generously drizzle orange glaze over the bread, slice and serve.

Equipment

  • Loaf Pan 8.5 x 4.5 x 3 Inch
  • KitchenAid Hand Mixer

Video

Notes

  1. Spray the pan well. You must grease the pan well with cooking spray or oil. The bread will most definitely stick if you do not. 
  2. Don’t overmix the batter. When combining the wet ingredients with the flour mixture it’s important to gently fold them together. Having lumps in the batter is normal. 
  3. Test your bread. A toothpick must come out clean before you remove your bread from the oven. You risk raw quick bread if you don’t test it. 
  4. Use a serrated knife. For the neatest slices use a serrated knife to cut the bread. It’s the perfect tool that won’t squish the bread and cut perfect slices.
  5. How to store it: Once the bread has cooled completely wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to 6 days.
  6. How to freeze it: Wrap the cooled bread tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, then place it in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
  7. How to reheat it: If you froze the cranberry bread, thaw it out at room temperature for about an hour, unwrap it then transfer it to a baking sheet or loaf pan and bake for about 5 to 10 min at 350 F degrees or until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 243kcal (12%)Carbohydrates: 45g (15%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fat: 6g (9%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 50mg (17%)Sodium: 190mg (8%)Potassium: 115mg (3%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 28g (31%)Vitamin A: 232IU (5%)Vitamin C: 8mg (10%)Calcium: 39mg (4%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

a cranberry orange bread with a few slices cut out of it on a cutting board.

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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50 Comments
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Ella
Ella
Posted: 24 days ago

5 stars
This turned out perfect. I didn’t have fresh oranges for zest so I just used a bit of orange extract. I’m sure it would have been great without that too. My husband said “yep!” with his first bite. This one goes it my faves recipe box.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Ella
Posted: 23 days ago

So glad you like it!

0
Reply
Sandy
Sandy
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
Amazing, you will get rave reviews from friends and family. I make this year round.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Sandy
Posted: 2 months ago

I’m so happy to hear you liked it!

0
Reply
Susan
Susan
Posted: 2 months ago

Very tasty bread! Like some others, I skipped the glaze. I had been making a similar muffin recipe, but the muffin cups are more work to fill and clean.

I will try it with some walnuts next time.
What about some vanilla?

Last edited Posted: 2 months ago by Susan
0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Susan
Posted: 2 months ago

That would be great!

0
Reply
Karen Homan
Karen Homan
Posted: 3 months ago

5 stars
This is absolutely the best quick bread! You will not be disappointed!!!!

0
Reply
Sharon
Sharon
Posted: 3 months ago

5 stars
Excellent bread and so moist. I always make cranberry bread during the holiday season, however, never with orange glaze. This will definitely be a favorite.

0
Reply
the Cookster
the Cookster
Posted: 3 months ago

Why don’t you have the Orange Glaze on the printable recipe & that you use a squeeze bottle for drizzling the glaze. This is a wonderful gift to give to neighbors for the upcoming holidays.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  the Cookster
Posted: 3 months ago

It’s in the recipe card below the bread ingredients. Try reloading your page and see if you can see it.

0
Reply
Nadine Gilder
Nadine Gilder
Posted: 3 months ago

Looking forward to making this. One question. Should the orange zest be dried or fresh?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Nadine Gilder
Posted: 3 months ago

I used fresh, I think it’s best.

1
Reply
Heidi & Piper
Heidi & Piper
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
My 10 year old daughter and I made this recipe together. It was easy to follow and made with ingredients we had on hand in our kitchen. I didn’t have orange zest, but had lemon so used that instead. We loved the bread it is very moist. Daughter even said it was better than grandma’s recipe which tends to be a bit dry. We will definitely make again!

0
Reply
Tania
Tania
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
Thank you for a simple and delicious recipe! My husband and kid loved it. So yum with some tea in the morning 😋

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Tania
Posted: 1 year ago

So glad you liked it!

0
Reply
Carmen
Carmen
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
I just made this bread again this morning except I used blueberrie, since cranberries are out of season.It taste good was super moist but I missed the tartness of he cranberries. Will try next time with chocolate chips.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Reply to  Carmen
Posted: 1 year ago

Ohhh, that sounds awesome! Let us know how it turns out with chocolate chips once you make it!

0
Reply
Carmen P
Carmen P
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
I love this recipe so much. I made it so many times and gave away to family, friends & coworkers and they all loved it too. I’m going to try it next with blueberries.

1
Reply
Ana Jinga
Ana Jinga
Reply to  Carmen P
Posted: 1 year ago

That’s amazing, we are so happy to hear this! Let us know how it turned out 🙂

0
Reply
MaryLou Steger
MaryLou Steger
Posted: 2 years ago

I’m going to make this cranberry bread for my ex-husband but I’m not sure what cranberries to buy. I bought whole organic whole ones.how do I put them in batter?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  MaryLou Steger
Posted: 2 years ago

Hi Mary, I used whole cranberries as well. You can just follow the instructions as stated 🙂

0
Reply
Bec
Bec
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
I did add 1/2 c of walnuts but this recipe is tasty. Be sure to give some away so you don’t eat it all 🙂

1
Reply
Pam
Pam
Posted: 2 years ago

Can I use dried cranberries?

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Pam
Posted: 2 years ago

Sure!

0
Reply
Janet
Janet
Reply to  Jo Cooks Team
Posted: 1 year ago

I do not have honey can I omit it and do I need to replace it with more sugar?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Janet
Posted: 1 year ago

Yes, I would add another 1/4 cup sugar!

0
Reply
Amy C.
Amy C.
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
Unbelievably delicious! Could only give 1/2 the loaf planned to share because we ate the rest. Now up early to bake another batch of this wonderful new morning surprise. Thanks, Jo!

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Amy C.
Posted: 2 years ago

lol too funny! You are so welcome, glad you enjoyed it.

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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