Cranberry Orange Bread with Orange Glaze Recipe
Introduction
This Cranberry Orange Bread with Orange Glaze is a delightful combination of tart cranberries and zesty orange flavors. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, it’s moist, flavorful, and easy to make.

Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (or frozen)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange (for glaze)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9″x5″ bread pan with baking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving extra on the sides to lift the bread out easily.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, buttermilk, sour cream, orange zest, oil, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk gently just until combined; do not overmix.
- Step 5: Toss the cranberries with cornstarch in a small bowl, then fold them into the batter.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared bread pan and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it using the parchment handles and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 8: For the glaze, combine powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and lump-free.
- Step 9: Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled bread. Slice and serve.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh cranberries in season for the best tartness, or frozen cranberries if fresh are unavailable.
- For extra texture, add 1/2 cup chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the batter.
- If you prefer a less sweet glaze, reduce the powdered sugar by 1/4 cup and adjust orange juice as needed.
- Make mini loaves in muffin tins for portable treats and shorter baking time.
Storage
Store the bread covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat slices gently in a microwave or toaster oven to soften before serving.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen cranberries work well in this recipe; just toss them with cornstarch before folding into the batter to prevent them from sinking.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If batter sticks to the toothpick, bake for a few more minutes and check again.
Print
Cranberry Orange Bread with Orange Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
This vibrant Cranberry Orange Bread with Orange Glaze combines tart fresh cranberries with the bright, zesty flavor of orange for a moist, flavorful quick bread. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, this recipe features a tender crumb made with buttermilk and sour cream, finished with a sweet orange glaze that adds a delightful citrusy shine.
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the bread.
- Prep a pan: Lightly grease a 9×5-inch bread pan with baking spray. Line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides to easily lift the bread out after baking.
- Whisk wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar, buttermilk, sour cream, orange zest, oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking just until combined to avoid overmixing, which could toughen the bread.
- Add cranberries: Toss the cranberries with cornstarch in a small bowl to coat them evenly, then fold them gently into the batter to distribute without breaking the berries.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared bread pan and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely to avoid sogginess.
- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and free of lumps.
- Add the glaze: Once the bread is completely cool, spread the orange glaze evenly over the top. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Using fresh or frozen cranberries works well; if using frozen, do not thaw to prevent color bleeding.
- The cornstarch coating helps prevent the cranberries from sinking to the bottom of the bread.
- Let the bread cool completely before glazing to ensure the glaze sets properly.
- For extra orange flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of orange zest into the batter in addition to the glaze.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cranberry Orange Bread, Orange Glaze, Quick Bread, Winter Bread, Citrus Bread, Holiday Baking

