Description
This Cranberry Orange Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf bursting with fresh cranberries and vibrant orange zest. Topped with a tangy orange glaze, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. The combination of tart cranberries and sweet orange makes this bread delightfully refreshing and aromatic.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup (180ml) fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Additional Ingredients
- 2 cups (200g) fresh cranberries
Glaze
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bread.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon (if using) until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, egg, fresh orange juice, and orange zest. Whisk these together until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. It’s important not to overmix — some lumps in the batter are okay to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Cranberries: Carefully fold in the fresh cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter without crushing them.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for an even surface.
- Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with no wet batter clinging.
- Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice, and orange zest in a bowl. Add more orange juice as needed to reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Glaze the Bread: Once the bread is fully cooled, drizzle the orange glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to set for a few minutes.
- Serve: Slice the bread into 10 equal pieces and serve. Enjoy the zesty, sweet, and tart flavors in every bite!
Notes
- For best results, use fresh cranberries; frozen can be substituted but may add extra moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread light and tender.
- If you want a stronger orange flavor, add extra orange zest or a splash more orange juice to the glaze.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- This bread freezes well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.