Name: Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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); 1/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed); 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 to reach desired consistency); 1 tsp orange zest (reserved from the orange above)

There’s something delightfully fresh and comforting about a slice of sweet, tangy bread that’s bursting with juicy fruits. This Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe hits those notes perfectly, offering a cozy treat that’s as vibrant as it is tender — making it one of my favorite go-to quick breads, especially during chilly mornings or holiday seasons.

The image shows a sliced loaf of yellow cake with bright red cranberries mixed inside. The cake has around six thick layers of slices stacked neatly from front to back. The top layer has a shiny, light-colored glaze drizzled unevenly, adding a slightly glossy texture. The sides of the cake look soft and moist, with a golden crust. Around the cake, fresh red cranberries are scattered on a dark surface. In the background, some orange slices are partly visible, adding a pop of bright orange color. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What really makes this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe stand out is how effortlessly it combines bright citrus flavors with the sweet-tartness of cranberries, all wrapped up in a soft, moist loaf that’s topped with a delicate glaze. I can’t help but smile every time I slice into it!

Fresh, vibrant flavor: The fresh orange zest and juice complement the tart cranberries beautifully, giving this bread a lively taste.
Simple to make: With straightforward ingredients and easy steps, it’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers.
Perfect texture: This bread has a tender, moist crumb that stays fresh for days — no drying out here!
Great for gifting: Wrapped up nicely, this loaf makes a heartfelt homemade gift during the holidays or anytime you want to spread some cheer.

A close-up view of several slices of moist yellow cake loaf filled with bright red cranberries, showing a crumbly texture with soft edges. The cake has a thick layer of creamy white icing draped over and between slices, with some of the icing melting slightly and dripping down the sides. The cranberries are scattered unevenly inside the cake, creating splashes of vivid red against the pale yellow crumb. The slices rest on a surface with a white marbled texture, and crumbs are visible around the cake pieces. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe plays its part to create that perfect balance of flavor and texture. I always highlight fresh, quality produce and look for berries that are firm to make the most of this recipe’s brightness.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a teaspoon of baking powder scattered gently beside it, a pinch of salt crystals, a small white bowl filled with smooth milk, fresh bright orange zest curls, a small white bowl of freshly squeezed orange juice, several softened pats of creamy unsalted butter, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, two large brown eggs with clean shells, a cluster of plump fresh cranberries, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, all placed symmetrically on simple white ceramic dishes arranged perfectly, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The backbone of your bread, providing structure and a tender crumb.
Baking powder: Helps the bread rise beautifully and stay fluffy.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the sweet and citrus flavors.
Milk (room temperature): Keeps the batter smooth and moist without adding heaviness.
Orange zest: This is where the flavor zing comes from, so make sure to zest just the colorful part for maximum aroma.
Orange juice (freshly squeezed): Fresh juice brightens the bread and adds natural sweetness and acidity.
Unsalted butter (softened): For richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture — I prefer unsalted so I can control the salt level perfectly.
Granulated sugar: Balances the tart cranberries and adds sweetness.
Large eggs (room temperature): Bind everything together and contribute to the bread’s tender crumb.
Fresh cranberries (rinsed and patted dry): The star ingredient that provides juicy bursts with a tart finish.
Flour (for coating cranberries): Prevents the berries from sinking to the bottom during baking.
Powdered sugar: For the smooth glaze that adds a glossy, sweet finish.
Orange juice (for glaze): Ties the whole bread together with a sweet citrus note on top.
Orange zest (glaze): A little extra zing on the glaze for that eye-catching, aromatic boost.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it based on what you have or what flavors you want to highlight — don’t hesitate to make it truly your own!

Variation: I’ve tried swapping fresh cranberries with frozen when fresh aren’t in season — just thaw and drain them well to avoid extra moisture. It still tastes fantastic!
Dietary modification: To lighten it up, consider substituting half the butter with applesauce — it keeps it moist and adds a subtle hint of extra sweetness.
Flavor extension: Adding a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger or a pinch of cinnamon adds a lovely warm depth if you want a more autumnal twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients & Cranberries

Start by rinsing and thoroughly drying your fresh cranberries — a damp berry will weigh down your batter. Toss the cranberries in about half a tablespoon of flour; this helps them stay suspended evenly in your bread without sinking to the bottom. While that’s resting, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan so your bread bakes up with a lovely crust.

Step 2: Mix the Butter, Sugar & Eggs

Cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy — this creates the perfect base for tender crumb. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition; this ensures your batter emulsifies properly, helping your bread to rise evenly.

Step 3: Add the Orange Zest and Juice

Next, stir in the orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice. Fresh is key here — it makes such a difference compared to the bottled stuff. You’ll notice the batter brighten up instantly with that aromatic citrus burst.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Blend with Wet

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, being careful not to overmix — just enough so that there are no more streaks of flour. Overmixing can lead to a tough bread, and nobody wants that.

Step 5: Fold in the Cranberries & Bake

Gently fold in those coated cranberries, distributing them evenly without breaking them up. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smooth the top, and pop it into the oven. Bake for about 50 minutes, but start checking from 45 — a toothpick inserted should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Don’t open the door too often; it helps keep that nice rise.

Step 6: Make the Orange Glaze & Finish

While the bread cools slightly, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and a teaspoon of orange zest until smooth. When the bread is just warm — not hot — drizzle the glaze generously over the top. The glaze firms up as the bread cools, giving that perfect sweet, citrusy finish every time.

Top Tip

From my countless attempts baking this bread during different seasons, a few tips really helped me get it just right every time — let me share what I’ve learned so you don’t have to do as much trial and error:

Use room temperature ingredients: It ensures smoother mixing and a consistent batter texture, which makes for lighter bread.
Flour the cranberries: Not skipping this step has kept my loaves from having berries sinking to the bottom — that even distribution is so satisfying.
Don’t overbake: Use a toothpick test and check a bit early; overbaking dries it out, so pull it when moist crumbs appear instead of completely clean.
Glaze while warm: Applying the orange glaze when the bread’s warm helps it soak in a little, keeping the outside glossy and flavorful.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe

cranberry orange bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a few fresh cranberries and a little sprinkle of finely chopped orange zest right on top of the glaze for a pop of color and a hint of extra fragrance. A small dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese spread takes it to the next level, especially when serving for guests.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a hot cup of tea or coffee in the morning or afternoon. For brunch, I like serving it alongside scrambled eggs or a mild cheese platter to balance the sweet and citrus flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

During holidays, I’ve arranged several mini loaves on a festive serving tray with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine needles. Wrapping individual slices with parchment paper tied with twine makes for charming handouts at parties or a thoughtful edible gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature — this keeps them moist and flavorful for up to 3 days. It’s great as a snack or quick breakfast fix.

Freezing

If I’m making this bread ahead for a big event or gift-giving, I cool it completely, then wrap the whole loaf in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. When ready, I thaw it overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To warm up a slice, I gently toast it or pop it in a preheated 350°F oven for about 5–7 minutes. This refreshes the soft crumb and brings back that fresh-baked aroma. If you like, add a little extra glaze or butter after warming — yum!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen cranberries in this recipe?

Absolutely! If using frozen cranberries, thaw and drain them well before folding into the batter. You might want to pat them dry to avoid adding too much moisture to the bread.

How do I know when the bread is done baking?

The best way is to insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. Start checking at around 45 minutes to avoid overbaking.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend in a 1:1 ratio. However, the texture may vary slightly, so it’s best to use a blend designed for baking quick breads and to check for doneness carefully.

What's the best way to store leftover bread?

Store leftover cranberry orange bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly at room temperature. It stays fresh for about 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing it and thawing before enjoying.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe has become a staple for me during the colder months — it’s easy, flavorful, and feels like a warm hug in bread form. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do. Trust me, a loaf of this on your counter will brighten up any day or gathering. Give it a try, and you’ll soon see what I mean!