Description
Homemade cranberry bread with orange glaze brings festive winter cheer to kitchen counters. Rich citrus notes and tart cranberry flavors combine for a delightful breakfast or afternoon treat you’ll savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 6 tbsps unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries (thoroughly washed and dried)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup milk (at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Zest of 1 large orange (divided)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsps freshly squeezed orange juice (or as needed to achieve the desired consistency)
- 1 tsp orange zest (reserved from the aforementioned orange)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F and prepare a 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 loaf pan by thoroughly coating with butter and flour, then inverting to remove excess flour.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Create a liquid mixture by blending milk, orange zest (saving 1 tsp for glaze), and fresh orange juice.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs and mix until smooth.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with the milk-orange liquid. Mix on low speed until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
- Lightly dust cranberries with flour and gently fold into the batter. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a golden top forms and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool bread in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to reach room temperature.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, orange juice, and reserved zest until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more juice or sugar as needed.
- Once bread is completely cooled, drizzle with orange glaze, allowing it to cascade down the sides of the loaf.
Notes
- Dust cranberries with flour before folding into batter to prevent sinking and ensure even distribution throughout the bread.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to maintain a tender, light crumb and avoid tough, dense texture.
- Adjust glaze thickness by adding small amounts of powdered sugar or orange juice until desired drizzling consistency is achieved.
- Replace eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, use plant-based milk, and swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 225 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 86 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg