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; 1/4 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); 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 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 utterly cozy about biting into a slice of this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe. The sweet-tart cranberries paired with bright, zesty orange create a flavor combo that feels like a little celebration in your mouth—perfect for any time you want something both fresh and comforting.

The image shows five slices of yellow cake with bright red cranberries inside, stacked in a row on a dark surface. Each slice has a shiny, light glaze drizzled on top, giving a slightly glossy texture. The cake looks soft and dense with visible crumbs and pieces of cranberry throughout. Around the cake slices, there are fresh cranberries scattered, adding a pop of red color. In the background, there is an orange fruit cut into pieces. The background surface is changed to a white marbled texture. 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

I have to admit, this bread quickly became one of my favorite seasonal treats. It’s like the perfect balance of citrusy brightness and juicy berries wrapped in a tender, moist bread, topped with a glossy, flavorful glaze—it’s hard to stop at one slice!

Juicy bursts: Fresh cranberries lend tart pops of flavor that brighten every bite.
Moist crumb: The bread stays tender for days, which is great if you want to make ahead or gift it.
Zesty glaze finish: The orange glaze not only looks beautiful but adds a lovely tangy sweetness on top.
Simple ingredients: You probably have everything you need in your pantry and fridge already.

The image shows two thick slices of cake stacked on a white marbled surface, with a close-up view of the texture. The cake has two main layers of light yellow sponge with red fruit pieces, likely cranberries, scattered inside. There is a creamy, creamy white frosting layered in the middle and spreading over the top slice, looking smooth but slightly melty, with some dripping on the side. The cake has a golden-brown crust on the edges, and the fruity bits add a bright contrast to the pale cake and frosting. Small crumbs are visible around the slices. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe shines because each ingredient plays a specific role in flavor and texture. The fresh cranberries add that iconic tangy zip, while orange juice and zest bring brightness that perfectly complements the berries. And the butter and eggs give the bread its moist, tender crumb that feels so comforting.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a teaspoon of baking powder beside it, a small pinch of salt on a white ceramic spoon rest, a small white bowl of room temperature milk, vibrant orange zest curls from a large orange arranged in a neat pile, a small white bowl of freshly squeezed orange juice, a few pats of softened unsalted butter on a white ceramic dish, a small heap of granulated sugar on a white ceramic plate, two large whole uncracked brown eggs, a cluster of plump fresh cranberries arranged neatly on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, all elements balanced symmetrically with perfect proportions, 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: Provides the structure for a soft but sturdy loaf.
Baking powder: Gives just enough rise to keep the bread light, not dense.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors throughout.
Milk (room temperature): Adds moisture and helps with batter consistency.
Orange zest (divided): Delivers bright citrus notes—make sure to grate just the colored part to avoid bitterness.
Orange juice (freshly squeezed): The fresh juice keeps things lively and fresh-tasting.
Unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness and tenderness; softened butter creams well with sugar.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens without overwhelming the tart cranberries.
Large eggs (room temperature): Help bind ingredients and contribute to the moist crumb.
Fresh cranberries: Make sure to rinse and dry them gently; they deliver that signature tart pop inside the bread.
Extra flour for coating cranberries: This little trick keeps the berries from sinking to the bottom.
Powdered sugar: For the glaze, adding smooth sweetness and a pretty finish.
Freshly squeezed orange juice (for glaze): Adds tang and thins the glaze to a perfect drizzling consistency.
Reserved orange zest: Mixed into the glaze for an extra citrus kick.

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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

While the classic Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe is a winner on its own, I often like to experiment a little. It’s a forgiving recipe, so feel free to tweak things to better suit your mood or pantry.

Add nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch and a nutty depth that complements the fruit beautifully—I’ve caught myself sprinkling these in more than once!
Swap citrus: Sometimes I use lemon zest and juice for the glaze for a different tangy twist that’s just as refreshing.
Make it gluten-free: Using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend works surprisingly well—just watch the texture and adjust milk as needed.
Spiced version: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the batter gives it a cozy warmth, which is lovely in colder months.

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

Step 1: Prep and zest the orange

I start by zesting the orange—dividing the zest so some goes into the bread batter and the rest into the glaze. Fresh zest is key here to capture all that fragrant, sunny flavor. Then I squeeze out the juice, making sure to remove any seeds. Having these ready before you start makes the process smoother.

Step 2: Mix dry ingredients and prep cranberries

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Meanwhile, toss your fresh cranberries in about half a tablespoon of flour—this simple step helps them stay evenly distributed throughout the bread instead of all sinking to the bottom. It’s a little trick I learned that really makes a difference.

Step 3: Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs

Using softened butter gives the batter a lovely, smooth texture. I beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes—and then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. This step ensures your bread has that tender crumb everyone loves.

Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients

Slowly alternate adding the dry ingredient mix and the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. This helps keep the batter smooth and prevents overmixing, which can make the bread tough. At the end, gently fold in the cranberries along with the orange juice and a bit of zest to brighten the whole loaf.

Step 5: Bake and cool

Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Let it cool fully on a wire rack before glazing—trust me, the glaze adheres better and looks prettier when the bread isn’t warm.

Step 6: Whip up the orange glaze

Whisk powdered sugar with freshly squeezed orange juice and the reserved orange zest until smooth and pourable. Adjust the juice amount to get your desired glaze thickness—thicker for a drizzle, thinner if you want it to soak in a bit. Then, generously drizzle over the cooled bread and let it set for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe many times and here are the key things I’ve learned to make it perfect every time. These small adjustments can really elevate your loaf.

Softened butter is essential: Using room temperature butter means it creams smoothly with sugar, yielding a better crumb.
Coat cranberries in flour: This simple trick keeps berries suspended rather than sinking to the bottom during baking.
Let bread cool fully before glazing: Warm bread melts the glaze into a mess, but cooling keeps it pretty and intact.
Adjust glaze consistency: Add orange juice slowly to powdered sugar until you get the perfect drip—not too thick or runny.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe

cranberry orange bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I enjoy garnishing slices with a few fresh cranberries on top or a sprinkle of extra orange zest just before serving. It adds that fresh pop of color and aroma that makes the bread feel even more special—great if you’re serving guests or gifting it.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with a mellow cup of Earl Grey tea or a slightly bold coffee; both cut through the sweetness nicely. If I’m making it for brunch, I like to serve alongside creamy yogurt or a smear of ricotta cheese for contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, try slicing the bread into thick pieces and arranging them on a festive wooden board with nuts, fresh orange slices, and a small jar of extra glaze for dipping. I did this last Christmas, and everyone loved how inviting it looked.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once glazed, I keep the bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature—it stays wonderfully moist for up to 3 days. If you want it to last longer, refrigeration helps but can slightly dry the crumb, so I recommend warming slices gently before serving.

Freezing

I’ve frozen slices successfully by wrapping each tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready, I thaw them overnight in the fridge and then warm them up in the toaster oven for a fresh-baked feel.

Reheating

To bring out that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, I pop slices in a 300°F oven for about 8 minutes or use a toaster oven. Avoid the microwave if possible—it can make the bread rubbery. The glaze stays on beautifully even after reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?

You can use frozen cranberries, but it’s best to thaw and gently pat them dry before adding to the batter to avoid excess moisture which could affect texture. Be aware that frozen berries might release a bit more juice during baking, which can make the bread a bit moister.

How long will Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze stay fresh?

If stored at room temperature in an airtight container, this bread stays fresh and moist for about 3 days. Refrigeration can extend its life up to a week but may slightly dry it out, so reheat gently before serving to refresh its texture.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

Yes! Using a high-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend works well in this recipe. Just be mindful that gluten-free flours can vary, so watch your batter’s consistency and add a touch more milk if it feels too thick.

What’s the best way to zest an orange for this recipe?

Use a fine grater or microplane to zest only the colorful outer layer of the orange skin, avoiding the white pith underneath as it’s bitter. Freshly grated zest has far more aroma and flavor than pre-packaged options, so it's worth the extra effort!

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe has become one of those joyful little treats I reach for when I want something effortless yet special. Whether it’s for a lazy weekend breakfast, an afternoon coffee companion, or a gift to cheer someone, it always hits the spot. I hope you’ll enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s a genuinely happy little loaf that brings a bit of sunshine to any day.