Cranberry bread with orange glaze is a delightful combination of tart cranberries and the fresh, zesty flavor of oranges. This moist, flavorful bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack. The bright orange glaze adds a sweet and tangy finish that complements the cranberries perfectly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making this delicious bread at home.
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Bread:
- 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
For the Orange Glaze:
- 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
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350˚F (175˚C). Prepare a 6-cup loaf pan (8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches) by buttering it and dusting it with flour, tapping out any excess flour.
Making the Cranberry Bread
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients:
- In a measuring cup, combine 1/4 cup of room temperature milk, the zest of 1 orange (reserve 1 tsp of zest for the glaze), and 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. Set this aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 6 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar. Beat on medium/high speed for 2-3 minutes. The mixture will not be completely smooth but should be well combined.
- Incorporate the Eggs:
- Add the 2 large eggs to the butter and sugar mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures:
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in two parts, alternating with the milk mixture. Mix on medium/low speed just until each addition is incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
- Prepare the Cranberries:
- Toss the 1 1/2 cups of fresh cranberries with 1/2 tablespoon of flour. This helps to prevent the cranberries from sinking to the bottom of the loaf during baking. Gently fold the cranberries into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Transfer to the Pan:
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake the Bread:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Orange Glaze
- Prepare the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice, and the reserved teaspoon of orange zest. Stir until the mixture is smooth and has a drizzling consistency. If the glaze is too thick, add a bit more orange juice. If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Glazing and Serving the Bread
- Glaze the Bread:
- Once the bread has cooled completely, drizzle the orange glaze over the top. Use a spoon to help spread it evenly if necessary.
- Serve:
- Slice the cranberry bread and serve. Enjoy the delicious combination of tart cranberries and sweet orange glaze.
Tips for Perfect Cranberry Bread
Choosing and Preparing Cranberries
- Fresh vs. Frozen: Fresh cranberries work best for this recipe, but you can use frozen cranberries if fresh ones are not available. If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding to the batter.
- Coating with Flour: Tossing the cranberries with a bit of flour helps them stay evenly distributed throughout the bread.
Baking Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the eggs, milk, and butter are at room temperature before you start. This helps the ingredients combine more easily and creates a smoother batter.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can result in a dense bread.
Glaze Consistency
- Adjusting Consistency: The consistency of the glaze can be adjusted by adding more orange juice to thin it or more powdered sugar to thicken it. Aim for a smooth, pourable consistency that will drizzle nicely over the bread.
Enjoying Your Cranberry Bread with Orange Glaze
This cranberry bread with orange glaze is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed in many ways. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee and makes a lovely addition to any breakfast or brunch spread. The vibrant flavors of the cranberries and orange make it a perfect holiday treat, but it is delicious enough to be enjoyed year-round.
Storing the Bread
- At Room Temperature: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
- Refrigeration: If you need to keep it longer, the bread can be refrigerated for up to a week. Make sure it is well wrapped to prevent it from drying out.
- Freezing: This bread also freezes well. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
Creative Variations
- Nuts and Seeds: Add a handful of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Spices: Incorporate a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the batter to add warmth and depth to the flavors.
- Different Citrus: Experiment with different citrus fruits, like lemon or lime, for a new twist on the glaze.
Conclusion
Cranberry bread with orange glaze is a delightful, versatile treat that brings together the tartness of cranberries and the bright, zesty flavor of oranges. This recipe is straightforward and rewarding, resulting in a moist, flavorful bread that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making it for a holiday gathering, a family breakfast, or simply as a snack, this cranberry bread is sure to be a hit. Enjoy the process of baking and savoring this delicious homemade treat!
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Cranberry Bread with Orange Glaze: A Delightful Treat for Any Occasion
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cranberry Bread with Orange Glaze is a moist and flavorful quick bread featuring tart cranberries and a sweet, tangy orange glaze. This delightful bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a festive holiday treat.
Ingredients
Cranberry Bread 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
Orange Glaze Ingredients:
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
Instructions
How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread:
Prep: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Butter a 6 cup (8 1/2 by 4 1/2 bread loaf pan) then dust with flour, tapping out the excess flour.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together: flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a measuring cup, combine together milk, zest of 1 orange (Reserve 1 tsp zest for the glaze), and orange juice. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and granulated sugar on medium/high speed (2-3 minutes on high speed). It won’t be smooth, just combined. Beat in 2 large eggs, mixing until well incorporated.
Add flour mixture in 2 parts, alternating with the milk mixture and mixing on medium/low speed just until incorporated with each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed.
Toss cranberries with 1/2 Tbsp flour then fold them into the batter just until incorporated. Spread the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 45-50 min at 350˚F until golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 10-15 minutes then run a cake release tool or knife around the edges and transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
To Make the Glaze:
In a separate bowl, stir together powdered sugar, orange juice and reserved teaspoon of zest. Stir until smooth. It should have a drizzling consistency. Add more orange juice to thin it out or powdered sugar to make it thicker.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg