A soft, sweet-tart loaf bursting with cranberries and fresh orange flavor. This loaf is finished with a glossy citrus glaze that make every slice shine.
The Holiday Quick Bread That Smells Like Joy.
You know that moment in December when your kitchen smells like cinnamon, citrus, and butter, and you realize you’ve hit the holiday sweet spot? That’s this bread.
This Cranberry Orange Quick Bread is sunshine for winter days, it’s moist, bright, and just the right mix of tart and sweet. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you want to grab a cozy blanket, brew a cup of coffee, and slice “just one more piece” while it’s still warm.
Fresh cranberries give it those bright ruby bursts in every bite, while orange zest and juice bring a cheerful citrus note. Once you drizzle on that simple orange glaze, it turns from a humble loaf into something that feels like a bakery treat.
It’s beautiful enough for a brunch table, simple enough for a weekday bake, and just nostalgic enough to make people linger around your kitchen asking for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
- Bright, festive flavor. Fresh cranberries and orange zest make every bite sing.
- No mixer required. Just whisk, stir, and bake.
- Stays moist for days. Perfect for gifting or make-ahead breakfast.
- That glaze. Sweet, tangy, and so pretty drizzled over cranberry orange quick bread.
Ingredients to Make Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
Bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup milk or orange juice
- 1/3 cup oil or melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries ( tossed on 1 tablespoon of flour before adding to batter to prevent the berries from sinking)
Orange Glaze:
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 – 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (optional for stronger flavor)
How to Make Cranberry Orange Quick Bread with Orange Glaze
Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease or line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, and orange zest.
In another bowl, combine milk (or orange juice), oil, egg, and vanilla.
Fold in cranberries, gently coating them in flour before mixing into the wet ingredients.
Add wet to dry ingredients and stir just until blended. Don’t overmix.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake 55 – 65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then move to a wire rack.
Whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled loaf.
Tips for the Perfect Loaf of Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
- Toss cranberries in flour first. This keeps them from sinking to the bottom.
- Don’t overmix. Stir until the flour disappears. That’s the secret to a soft crumb.
- Fresh zest makes all the difference. It gives cranberry quick bread and the glaze a real orange flavor without extra sweetness.
- Add the glaze once cooled. That way it sets beautifully without melting into the bread.
A Few Different Ways to Make Cranberry Quick Bread
- Cranberry Walnut Bread: Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts for crunch.
- White Chocolate Cranberry Quick Bread: Stir in 1/3 cup white chocolate chips before baking.
- Mini Loaves: Bake 34 -40 minutes for adorable gift sized loaves.
Ideas on How To Serve Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
Warm it up with a pat of butter or serve it as part of a holiday brunch spread. It also looked nice wrapped in parchment paper and tied with twine. A simple homemade gift straight from the farmhouse kitchen.
Storing Cranberry Orange Bread
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. You can freeze it (unglazed) for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight, then add glaze before serving.
Final Thoughts From My Farmhouse Kitchen
This bread feels like winter sunshine, a little tart, a little sweet, and bright enough to pull you out of the grayest morning. It’s simple, cheerful, and exactly the kind of recipe than makes your home smell like the holidays.
If you love easy holiday baking recipes, check out my baked pumpkin muffins with maple glaze , chai spiced apple crisp among other recipes in my Baking section.
Don’t forget to pin Cranberry Orange Quick Bread to your Holiday Baking board on Pinterest and sign up to receive my cozy recipes like this one!
Cranberry Orange Quick Bread with Orange Glaze
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease or line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, and orange zest.
- In another bowl, combine milk (or orange juice), oil, egg, and vanilla.
- Fold in cranberries, gently coating them in flour before mixing into the wet ingredients.
- Add wet to dry ingredients and stir just until blended. Don't overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake 55 – 65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then move to a wire rack.
- Whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled loaf.
Notes
Tips for the Perfect Loaf of Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
- Toss cranberries in flour first. This keeps them from sinking to the bottom.
- Don’t overmix. Stir until the flour disappears. That’s the secret to a soft crumb.
- Fresh zest makes all the difference. It gives cranberry quick bread and the glaze a real orange flavor without extra sweetness.
- Add the glaze once cooled. That way it sets beautifully without melting into the bread.
Shop My Kitchen
Affiliate links – The Pickled Farmhouse earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Hi, I’m Renee. I’m a farmer’s wife, a mom of two, and an introvert with the occasional burst of extrovert energy. Most days you’ll find me in the kitchen surrounded by flour, jars, or something bubbling away on the stove. I love the rhythm of the seasons, the coziness of home, and finding joy in the little things (like the first cup of coffee or fresh bread still warm from the oven).
