Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze

Cranberries and orange shine in this ultra-moist Cranberry Orange Bread topped with a bright, zesty glaze. Every slice bursts with citrus flavour and pops of tart cranberry. Add sugared cranberries on top for a festive holiday touch, perfect for Christmas brunch, gifting, or cozy winter baking.

Try my cranberry orange cheesecake, cranberry bliss bars, cranberry banana bread next!

this recipe!

Moist Cranberry Orange Loaf A Holiday Favorite

I’m always happy to see fresh cranberries appear in the produce section of the grocery store and the first recipe I always make is my delicious Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce.

This cranberry orange loaf with zesty glaze will not disappoint as the cranberry and orange pairing is delicious any time of year with tea or coffee.

It can be spiffed up with the sugared cranberries garnish which give it a wonderful festive touch for the Holidays.

Ingredients

Cranberry Orange Loaf

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 and 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup cranberries

1 large egg, beaten

1/4 cup melted butter

1 cup orange juice

Orange Glaze

1/2 cup icing sugar

2 tbsp. orange juice

How to make Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze

This will take you ten minutes or less to mix together.

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar. Mix well to combine.

2. Stir in cranberries.

3. In a small bowl, beat egg, then add in melted butter and orange juice. Stir to combine.

4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir only until blended.

5. Turn into greased loaf pan.

6. Bake in 350F oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until tested inserted in centre comes out clean.

7. Cool in pan for five minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool at least 15 minutes

8. Remove loaf from pan and place back on cooling rack.

Glaze

8. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup icing sugar and 2 tbsp. orange juice. Stir well to combine and add additional orange juice, 1 tsp. at a time if needed to make a smooth, pourable glaze. The glaze should be smooth enough to slide down the edges of the loaf.

9. Pour glaze over top of loaf.

How To Make Sugared Cranberries (Optional Garnish)

So simple, yet festive and effective as a garnish, these Sugared Cranberries can easily be made while the loaf is in the oven.

In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of water. Stir well to dissolve the granulated sugar. Slowly bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 3 minutes.

Stir in the cranberries and mix well.

Transfer the cranberries to a cooling rack or place on waxed paper, ensuring the the cranberries are not touching each other. They will become very sticky as they dry and will be difficult to separate if they’re grouped together.

Allow the cranberries to dry for 20 minutes.

Place 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl, then stir in the cranberries ,four or five at time, coating with the sugar.

Storage Instructions

The cranberry loaf bread store well for about 3 days wrapped in plastic wrap and up to five days in the refrigerator. This loaf also freezes well. Wrap well in plastic wrap, then foil paper and freeze for up to three months. Let thaw completely at room temperature before slicing.

Sugared cranberries may be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container.