The Best Cranberry Orange Bread | Easy Bread Recipe (2024)

Bless This Mess Recipes Breads

By Melissa

4.92 from 25 votes

on Dec 17, 2020, Updated Mar 04, 2024

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The Best Cranberry Orange Bread is sweet, gorgeous, and perfect for giving as a gift! Made with tangy orange zest, melted butter, and fresh cranberries.

The Best Cranberry Orange Bread | Easy Bread Recipe (2)

This is one of my all-time favorite holiday treats. I make batches and batches of it to put on my friend and neighbor goodie plates, take to parties, have for dessert when friends come over for mom dates, and every other excuse I can think of.

I’m planning on having an intentional Christmas this year. Doing things because they mean something and because I want to and not just because I should or can. I know it might be crazy, but I just love making dozens of goodie plates for neighbors every year and that is for sure on my list for this season. This bread has made the list to go on them again, too! That’s saying something!

The Best Cranberry Orange Bread | Easy Bread Recipe (3)

Tips and Tricks for Making Cranberry Orange Bread

  • Isn’t it pretty? I got the tea loaf pan from King Arthur Flour last year for Christmas and I just love it.
  • Plan on buying a few extra cranberries for your cranberry sauce recipe. When they are hanging out in the fridge after Thanksgiving, you’ll be obligated to make this bread.
  • Mixing the orange zest with the sugar before you add anything is the secret of this bread. The sugar pulls the oils out of the zest and you are making orange infused sugar which really makes the orange flavor carry throughout the bread. Best trick ever!
  • Feel free to double this recipe; it works great.
The Best Cranberry Orange Bread | Easy Bread Recipe (4)

You can make this bread in just about any pan you have (including muffins)

I have made this recipe astraditional loaves, tea loaves (which are pictured), muffins, and mini loaves as well. It always turns out well and it always gets rave reviews. There’s something magical about those bright little pops of tart cranberry mixed in with all that sweet bread. Adding a little orange glaze to the mix really puts this bread over the top. You will love it!

How long to bake Cranberry Orange Bread based on pan size:

  • Bake in a 9×5 inch loaf pan at 350 degrees F for about 1 hour and 10 minutes (70 minutes)
  • Bake in a tea loaf pan at 350 degree F for around 50 minutes.
  • Bake 12 muffins in a standard size muffin tin at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes.
  • Bake mini loaf pans at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes (depending on the size of your pan).
The Best Cranberry Orange Bread | Easy Bread Recipe (5)

Here’s a video on how to make the bread if you need some extra help!

The Best Cranberry Orange Bread | Easy Bread Recipe (6)

4.92 from 25 votes

Cranberry Orange Bread

By: Melissa Griffiths

The Best Cranberry Orange Bread is sweet, gorgeous, and perfect for giving as a gift! Made with tangy orange zest, melted butter, and fresh cranberries.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 1 loaf

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Ingredients

For the bread:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk, (here's how to make your own buttermilk)
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped

For the orange glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×5 bread pan or a tea loaf pan well.

  • In a large bowl, add the granulated sugar and the orange zest. Stir the mixture together until the sugar starts to turn a bit orange and is fragrant. Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the sugar mixture and whisk to combine well.

  • In a separate bowl add the buttermilk, butter, eggs, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Whisk to combine well.

  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the cranberries and then place the batter into the prepared pan.

  • Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean about 1 hour and 10 minutes for a traditional bread loaf pan (and about 50 minutes for the tea loaf pictured). If the top starts to brown too quickly, you might want to cover the bread with foil for the last 10 or so minutes of baking.

  • Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for 20-30 minutes before removing the bread from the pan. Run a knife along the edges of the pan before you turn it upside down to remove it from the pan.

  • Whisk together the ingredients for the glaze until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm bread and then slice to serve.

Video

Notes

  • This recipe doubles well if you want to make 2 loaves.
  • Bake in a 9×5 inch loaf pan at 350 degrees F for about 1 hour and 10 minutes (70 minutes)
  • Bake in a tea loaf pan at 350 degree F for around 50 minutes.
  • Bake 12 muffins in a standard size muffin tin at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes.
  • Bake mini loaf pans at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes (depending on the size of your pan).
  • This bread freezes great. Just cool fully, wrap up well, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 12 slices, Calories: 254kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 220mg, Potassium: 65mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 316IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 48mg, Iron: 1mg

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Love Cranberry Orange Bread?! You might also enjoy these recipes:

  • Soft Gingerbread Cookies
  • The best banana bread recipe
  • Creamy Cranberry Salad (we call it cranberry fluff) from my friend Mel at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

I’m totally wishing I had some of this Cranberry Orange Bread in the house still, but it sure didn’t last long. I can’t wait to make another loaf. Every time I make this and give it as gifts, I’ll have multiple people ask me for the recipe. It’s just so good. Enjoy from my kitchen to yours!

About Melissa

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The Best Cranberry Orange Bread | Easy Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cranberry orange bread crumbly? ›

Too much flour will make this bread crumbly and dry — how you measure the flour matters a lot in it turning out moist.

Should you chop cranberries before baking? ›

How to Use Fresh Cranberries in Baking
  1. How to prepare fresh cranberries for baking. There's really not much you need to do to prepare fresh cranberries for baking. ...
  2. Should you chop cranberries before baking? You definitely don't need to! ...
  3. Do I need to cook cranberries before baking? Nope!

How long will cranberry bread last in the fridge? ›

Cranberry Bread Storage Tips

Wrap the loaf in plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out. The cranberry orange bread will stay fresh at room temperature on the counter for 1-2 days, and it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Can you use dried cranberries instead of fresh? ›

Can I substitute dried cranberries in recipes that call for fresh cranberries? Yes, dried cranberries work well in baked goods; however there is a ¼ cup difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh or frozen cranberries, use ¾ cup of sweetened dried cranberries.

Why does my cranberry bread sink in the middle? ›

Why does my cranberry bread sink in the middle? If your bread sinks in the middle, the usual culprit is too much moisture in the bread, or the baking powder has expired. Always make sure to measure your ingredients and check for the freshness of the ingredients for the best results.

What makes homemade bread less crumbly? ›

Too much flour and not enough water can cause crumbly bread – people often do this if the dough is too sticky and they add more flour rather than kneading through it. Other culprits can be overproving or not kneading enough – the things you need to do to get a good structure.

Why should cranberries not be eaten raw? ›

Is it safe to eat cranberries raw? Cranberries are generally considered safe whether they are cooked or raw. However, because of their notoriously bitter, sharp taste, most people prefer not to eat them raw or unsweetened. This bitterness is due to the high tannin content of cranberries.

Can you use craisins instead of cranberries in baking? ›

Yes, Craisins® Sweetened Dried Cranberries work well in baked goods; however, there is a 1/4 cup (60 mL) difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh cranberries you should use 3/4 cup (175 mL) of Craisins®. Craisins® should not be used in cooked sauces.

How long to soak cranberries before baking? ›

Rehydrate the fruits: Dried fruits can be quite hard and dry, so it's often a good idea to rehydrate them before adding them to your baked goods. To do this, simply soak the dried fruits in warm water or fruit juice for 15-20 minutes until they are plump and tender.

How many cups of cranberries are in a 12 oz bag? ›

Cooking with Cranberries. The commonly sold 12-ounce bag contains about 3 cups of cranberries.

Is bread still good after 20 days? ›

Baked Goods and Snack Foods Baked goods and snacks typically have a Use-By Date. Store-bought bread will typically last five to seven days at room temperature, but can last one to two weeks in the refrigerator.

What bread takes the longest to go bad? ›

Understanding bread's shelf life

According to Booker, "fat is a natural preservative, so anything that has more fat tends to preserve or freeze well and last longer." Loaves that have eggs (like challah) or butter (such as banana bread) will go stale slower than French bread, which is leaner.

Why are there no cranberries in the stores? ›

* The availability of fresh cranberries is limited because the harvest season is very short. Harvesting begins in September and continues through November, and fresh cranberries may be purchased during that time.

Should cranberries be chopped before baking? ›

Baking with Cranberries: Cut cranberries in half before adding them to baked goods to prevent them from swelling and popping. Cooking Cranberries on the Stove-Top: Simmer whole cranberries gently in a small amount of water, uncovered, since too much steam might cause them to swell and explode.

Are craisins cranberries? ›

Surprise your taste buds with the sweet, delicious taste of Craisins® Dried Cranberries. Made with real fruit and good as a snack or in a recipe, they're gluten free.

How do you make bread soft and not crumbly? ›

Bread Making Tips For Softer Bread
  1. Do Not Over-Knead Your Dough. ...
  2. Ensure Dough is Well Hydrated. ...
  3. Lubricate With Oil. ...
  4. Add Sugar. ...
  5. Add Eggs. ...
  6. Reduce Baking Time. ...
  7. Create Steam in Oven. ...
  8. Add Milk.
Mar 27, 2023

What makes a quick bread crumbly? ›

A coarse, crumbly texture: Your quick bread should be moist and dense. Too much fat (butter, oil, or shortening) or too much leavening (baking soda or baking powder) will cause the bread to be crumbly.

What causes close textured bread? ›

There may be several reasons for a dense, cake like texture in bread. It may indicate the kneading wasn't enough for the gluten to develop properly, or the dough was proved for too short a time or the dough may have been too dry. It is also worth checking the flour you used.

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