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Easy Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe | Moist Quick Bread with Orange Glaze

A moist and tangy cranberry orange bread recipe that combines fresh cranberries, zesty orange, and a perfectly balanced texture for a bakery-quality loaf that's ideal for holidays, brunch, or everyday baking.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 1 loaf (10 slices)
Course: Baking
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: ½ tsp nutmeg
  • For the Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar 2–3 tbsp orange juice, ½ tsp orange zest

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, orange juice, oil, and orange zest until smooth and slightly frothy.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined—do not overmix.
  5. Fold in chopped cranberries and optional nuts using a spatula.
  6. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
  7. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Optional: Whisk together glaze ingredients and drizzle over the cooled loaf before serving.

Notes

Use fresh orange juice for the brightest flavor. Avoid overmixing to prevent dense texture. For added crunch, include nuts or seeds. Allow bread to cool completely before glazing or slicing for clean cuts and best presentation.