Bright, zesty, and bursting with juicy fruit, this Cranberry Orange Bread is an absolute stunner for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea. Every slice is laced with tart cranberries and fragrant orange zest, making it a cheerful treat for holiday gatherings or just to add a little sunshine to your day. What I love most is how easily the bread comes together with simple ingredients that deliver that unbeatable flavor combination. If you’ve never made Cranberry Orange Bread before, get ready to wonder how you ever lived without it!

Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Cranberry Orange Bread lies in the way these simple, everyday ingredients work together. Each one has a special role—adding sweetness, tang, moisture, or that signature pop of color that makes this quick bread so inviting.

All-purpose flour: This classic base gives our bread structure and a perfect crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the loaf and balances the cranberries’ tartness.
Baking powder: The key leavening agent for a lofty, tender loaf.
Baking soda: Works alongside the orange juice to help the bread rise.
Salt: Just a touch for enhanced flavor—don’t skip it!
Orange zest: Adds vibrancy and aroma you can’t get from juice alone.
Orange juice: Freshly squeezed juice gives tons of citrusy tang and moisture.
Milk: Softens the crumb further for a luscious bite.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the bread extra moist—no dryness here!
Large egg: Binds the batter and adds rich texture.
Vanilla extract: A little warmth and depth goes a long way here.
Fresh or frozen cranberries (halved): For those irresistible ruby bursts in every slice.
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): Adds crunch and an earthy note if you like a bit of texture.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with a little oil or nonstick spray. A well-prepared loaf pan means easy removal and a perfectly shaped Cranberry Orange Bread every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and fresh orange zest. Give it a good mix—this helps evenly distribute the leaveners and zest so every bite is just as delicious as the last.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, blend the orange juice, milk, vegetable oil, large egg, and vanilla extract. Stir well so that the oil and egg fully incorporate—this ensures the bread bakes up moist and evenly flavored.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients, and gently stir until just combined. Over-mixing can make your bread tough, so stop as soon as there are no big streaks of flour remaining.

Step 5: Fold in Cranberries and Nuts

Add the halved cranberries and, if you like, the chopped walnuts or pecans. Fold them in by hand for even distribution without mashing the fruit—you want bright pops of cranberry in every slice of your Cranberry Orange Bread.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake in the center of the oven for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick emerges clean from the center. It’s tempting, but let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry Orange Bread Garnishes

For a showstopper finish, drizzle your completely cooled bread with a simple orange glaze made from powdered sugar and fresh orange juice. Top with extra orange zest or a few halved cranberries for a truly bakery-worthy look.

Side Dishes

Pair slices of Cranberry Orange Bread with creamy Greek yogurt, a fruit salad, or scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast or brunch. It also sits beautifully on a snack platter alongside grapes, cheese, and a big mug of coffee or tea.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the loaf into thick slices and toasting them lightly, or cube the bread and serve it in parfait glasses with layers of whipped cream and extra cranberries for an elegant dessert trifle that will wow your guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Cranberry Orange Bread has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it at room temperature for up to three days. If your house is especially warm or humid, pop it in the fridge to keep it fresh longer.

Freezing

This bread freezes like a dream! Wrap the whole loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, then place in a freezer bag. It keeps well for up to three months. Thaw overnight on the counter, or gently warm a frozen slice in the toaster.

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked magic, reheat slices of Cranberry Orange Bread in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or toast in a toaster oven until the edges are just crisp and the center is warm.

FAQs

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen?

Absolutely! If using dried cranberries, soak them in orange juice or hot water for 10 minutes to plump them up before folding into the batter. You’ll get a slightly different, chewier texture but still plenty of flavor.

How can I make this bread dairy-free?

Swap the milk for your favorite non-dairy milk—almond, soy, or oat all work well. Double-check that your orange juice is dairy-free as well (most are), and you’ll have a delicious dairy-free Cranberry Orange Bread.

Why did my bread turn out dry?

Overbaking is often the culprit. Always check a few minutes before the timer goes off and use a toothpick to test doneness. Also be sure to measure your flour with care—too much flour can make your quick breads dry.

How can I tell if my Cranberry Orange Bread is done?

Insert a toothpick or skewer into the thickest part of the loaf; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. The top should be golden and spring back lightly when pressed.

What’s the best way to add the glaze?

Drizzle the icing over the cooled bread using a spoon in quick back-and-forth motions for a pretty finish. For extra flair, add freshly grated orange zest or a few scattered cranberries on top right after glazing.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to brighten someone’s morning or simply treat yourself, you can’t go wrong with Cranberry Orange Bread. Its zesty citrus aroma and bursts of fruit are pure happiness in loaf form—you’ll want to make it all year long. Enjoy every slice!

Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 10 slices 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Cranberry Orange Bread is a delightful combination of tart cranberries, zesty orange, and crunchy nuts, all baked into a moist and flavorful loaf. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack, this bread is bursting with seasonal flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 tablespoon orange zest
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix-ins:

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, halved
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest.
Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, mix orange juice, milk, oil, egg, and vanilla.
Combine wet and dry: Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until just combined.
Add mix-ins: Fold in cranberries and nuts (if using).
Bake: Pour batter into loaf pan, bake for 50–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

For a glaze, mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tablespoons orange juice and drizzle over cooled bread.
Bread tastes better the next day after flavors meld.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American