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 nothing quite like the bright, tangy zing of fresh cranberries paired with the sweet citrus pop of orange. This Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe is exactly the cozy treat that fills your kitchen with warmth and invites everyone to gather round. It’s moist, fragrant, and perfectly balanced — every slice baked with love and the perfect touch of glaze to finish.

This image shows a loaf of cake sliced into seven pieces, arranged in a row. The cake has a pale yellow color with a soft texture and is filled with bright red berries spread evenly inside. There is a glossy, light orange icing drizzled on top of the cake slices, giving a shiny finish. The cake sits on a rough, dark surface with a few scattered berries around it. 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

This Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe is one of my all-time favorites for a few key reasons. I love that it combines fresh, tart cranberries with a bright citrus flavor and that irresistible sweet glaze on top. It’s the kind of recipe that’s simple to pull together but impresses everyone at the table.

Bright, balanced flavors: The combination of tart cranberries and zesty orange makes each bite lively and fresh.
Moist and tender crumb: This bread stays soft and delicious even days after baking, so you don’t have to rush to eat it.
Perfect for gifting or entertaining: It looks beautiful topped with that glossy orange glaze – great for holidays or any special occasion.
Easy to make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, even beginner bakers can nail this recipe without stress.

The image shows three slices of a yellow cake with a soft texture, mixed with bright red berries inside. The cake has a thick white frosting that looks creamy and smooth, slightly melting over the sides. The cake layers are even and moist, and the berries inside add small pops of rich red color throughout. The slices are stacked slightly overlapping each other on a white marbled surface, with some crumbs around them. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a special role in achieving that perfect texture and flavor. From the zing of fresh orange zest to the plump cranberries, every element harmonizes beautifully. Here are my little tips on why I love these ingredients and what to look for when shopping.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl of milk, a bright orange with zest scraped from its skin and some zest flakes beside it, a small white bowl of fresh orange juice, a few cubes of softened unsalted butter, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, two whole uncracked large brown eggs, a small pile of fresh cranberries, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, and a small white bowl with a bit of orange juice mixed with powdered sugar for glaze, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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 base for your bread’s structure; be sure to measure it correctly to keep the bread tender.
Baking powder: Gives just the right lift so the bread isn’t dense.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Milk (room temperature): Helps with moisture without making the batter too heavy.
Orange zest: The secret star flavor — fresh zest brings the bright citrus aroma and taste you want.
Freshly squeezed orange juice: Adds natural sweetness and tang, fresher than store-bought juice for sure.
Unsalted butter (softened): Ensures a rich, tender crumb — make sure it’s soft but not melted.
Granulated sugar: Balances the tartness of the cranberries beautifully.
Large eggs (room temperature): Help with binding and give the bread its soft texture.
Fresh cranberries (rinsed and patted dry): For bursts of tartness and color — using fresh over frozen keeps them plump.
Additional flour for cranberries: Tossing cranberries in a bit of flour keeps them from sinking to the bottom.
Powdered sugar: For that silky, sweet glaze that contrasts perfectly with the zest.
Orange juice for glaze: Adjust to get the glaze to your desired consistency — fresh juice works best.
Reserved orange zest: For decorating the glaze and adding that eye-popping citrus punch.

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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

I love how adaptable this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve experimented by swapping things out or adding a few extras to suit different occasions or dietary needs — and honestly, it’s always a win. You can personalize it to match your taste or what you have on hand.

Variation: One time, I added a handful of chopped walnuts to this bread for a delightful crunch that contrasted nicely with the soft crumb — truly elevated it for holiday brunch.
Dietary modification: You can swap milk for almond milk or oat milk if you want a dairy-free version; just make sure it’s unsweetened to keep the flavors balanced.
Seasonal twist: Besides cranberries, you can substitute fresh blueberries or raspberries if you want a change, but the orange glaze always pairs best with those bright berries.
Difficulty: Even if you’ve never made quick bread before, this recipe guides you through the steps with ease — take your time, and you'll nail it.

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

Step 1: Prep the Dry Ingredients

The first thing I do is whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. This makes sure everything is evenly mixed, giving you a light, even crumb. Don’t forget to toss your cranberries with that half tablespoon of flour — this little trick keeps them suspended in the batter, so you don’t end up with a berry patch at the bottom of your loaf. I always pat my cranberries dry extra well to avoid adding unwanted moisture.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar & Eggs

Next up, cream the softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. This step is important for a tender crumb—don’t rush it! Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated. Adding the orange zest here also really wakes up those flavors early on — it fills your kitchen with that lovely citrus aroma that’s simply irresistible.

Step 3: Add Milk and Orange Juice

> Now, mix in the room temperature milk and fresh orange juice. These liquids keep the bread moist, and that fresh juice adds an extra zing that makes this loaf stand out. Be gentle when mixing; you don’t want to overwork the batter, which can make the bread tough.

Step 4: Fold in Cranberries and Combine

Gently fold in the floured cranberries, spreading them evenly throughout the batter. This is where you’ll get those beautiful pops of tart flavor in every bite. Make sure you don’t overmix at this point — just enough to distribute those berries well.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Delicious

Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. I always keep an eye on the last 10 minutes to avoid overbaking, which can dry out the bread. You want that golden top with a bit of a crispy edge — it’s heavenly.

Step 6: Whisk Up the Orange Glaze

While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a teaspoon of reserved orange zest for the glaze. Adjust with more juice if the glaze is too thick. Drizzle it generously over the warm bread — watch it drizzle slowly and shine. It’s the finishing touch that makes this bread impossible to resist.

Top Tip

From baking numerous loaves, I’ve learned that a few simple tweaks make all the difference in perfecting this Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe.

Softened Butter, Not Melted: Using butter that’s just soft enough to cream ensures a tender texture, but melting it can make the bread denser — a habit I learned the hard way.
Pat Cranberries Dry: Fresh cranberries sometimes hold moisture; drying them prevents extra liquid that could alter the batter’s consistency.
Toss Berries in Flour: This classic tip keeps cranberries from sinking during baking, distributing flavor evenly throughout your bread.
Glaze Consistency Matters: Take your time adding orange juice gradually to the powdered sugar, aiming for a glaze that’s thick but pourable; this way, it sets nicely without running off.

How to Serve Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe

cranberry orange bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

When I serve this bread, I like to sprinkle a little extra fresh orange zest over the glaze just before it sets — it amps up the freshness and adds a lovely zingy pop. Sometimes I add a few whole cranberries on top for visual appeal and an extra tart bite. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a pretty snow-kissed look, perfect especially in winter.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a cup of strong coffee or your favorite herbal tea, which balances the sweetness and citrus. For a brunch spread, I like to add creamy whipped ricotta or mascarpone on the side along with fresh fruit salad — the creamy textures complement the bread’s zesty brightness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday gathering, I once sliced the loaf, then arranged the pieces like a fan on a serving tray, drizzling glaze on each slice and garnishing with candied orange peel. It made the table look festive and inviting. You can also gift it wrapped in parchment paper tied with twine, adding a sprig of fresh rosemary for a charming touch that shows you care.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature. It stays moist and flavorful for a few days this way. If your kitchen is warm, keeping it in an airtight container helps maintain freshness without drying out.

Freezing

This bread freezes wonderfully. I slice it first, then layer parchment paper between slices in a freezer bag. When I’m ready to enjoy it again, I thaw slices overnight in the fridge or at room temperature. The texture stays tender and fresh-tasting, and you can add the glaze fresh after reheating.

Reheating

I like to warm leftover slices gently in the toaster oven or microwave for about 15–20 seconds. This revives the soft crumb without drying it out. Adding a little fresh orange glaze when serving brings back that delightful glossy finish, making it feel freshly baked all over again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen cranberries in this bread?

You can use frozen cranberries if fresh aren’t available, but be sure to thaw and pat them dry carefully to avoid adding extra moisture, which can affect the bread’s texture. Tossing them in flour before folding into the batter also helps prevent sinking.

What’s the best way to zest the orange?

Using a microplane grater is ideal for zesting the orange finely and evenly without removing any of the bitter white pith beneath the skin. Freshly zested orange adds the brightest, purest citrus flavor.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend suitable for baking, but results may vary as gluten-free flours behave differently. Adding a binder like xanthan gum if your flour blend doesn’t already include it will help maintain structure.

Why is it important to use room temperature eggs and milk?

Using room temperature eggs and milk helps the ingredients combine more smoothly, preventing curdling and creating a uniform batter. It also contributes to better rising and a tender crumb.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze Recipe truly holds a special place in my kitchen rotation. It’s that comforting, flavorful treat that’s easy enough to whip up on a whim but special enough to share with friends and family. I hope you find as much joy in baking and savoring it as I have — it’s a recipe you’ll turn to again and again, especially when you want that perfect combination of tart, sweet, and cozy all rolled into one delightful loaf.