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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 2 large eggs - 1/2 cup orange juice - Zest of 1 orange - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze) - 2 tablespoons orange juice (for glaze) - Orange zest (for garnish) You can swap all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier bread. If you want to cut sugar, use honey or maple syrup instead. For a dairy-free option, use coconut oil in place of butter. Eggs can be replaced with applesauce or flaxseed meal mixed with water. You can also use lemon juice instead of orange juice if you prefer a tart flavor. - All-purpose flour gives structure to the bread. - Fresh cranberries add a tart burst of flavor and a pop of color. - Granulated sugar sweetens the bread and balances the tartness of cranberries. - Baking powder and baking soda help the bread rise, making it light and fluffy. - Salt enhances all the flavors in the bread. - Unsalted butter adds richness and moisture. - Eggs provide stability and help bind the ingredients. - Orange juice and zest infuse bright, citrusy notes. - Vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the flavor. - Powdered sugar makes a sweet glaze that contrasts nicely with the bread. - Additional orange zest for garnish adds a fresh touch and enhances aroma. Every ingredient plays a key role in making this bread delicious. The mix of tart and sweet creates a perfect balance that is hard to resist. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 2. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or use parchment paper. 3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt 4. In another bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened butter until light. 5. Add 2 large eggs to the butter one at a time. Mix well after each. 6. Pour in 1/2 cup orange juice, zest of 1 orange, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. 7. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Stir until just combined. 8. Fold in 1 cup chopped cranberries gently. 1. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. 2. Bake for 55-65 minutes. Check with a toothpick. It should come out clean. 3. Once done, let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. 1. Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely. 2. For the glaze, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons orange juice. 3. Whisk until smooth. 4. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread. 5. Garnish with extra orange zest. Enjoy your delicious creation! To get the right texture, you need to mix carefully. Start by whisking dry ingredients well. This helps the bread rise nicely. When adding the wet mix, stir just until combined. Overmixing can make the bread tough. Aim for a soft batter with some lumps. This will keep it light and fluffy. One common mistake is using cold butter. Softened butter blends better, giving a nice rise. Another mistake is skipping the zest. It adds a burst of flavor. Be sure to check your oven temperature, too. An oven that's too hot can brown the bread too fast. Always use a toothpick to check for doneness. If it comes out clean, your bread is ready. For a lovely presentation, slice the bread neatly. Arrange the slices on a platter. Drizzle extra glaze over the top. Add fresh cranberries and orange slices for color. You can also sprinkle some extra orange zest on top. This not only looks pretty but adds a nice aroma, making your bread even more inviting. Pro Tips Use Fresh Cranberries: Fresh cranberries provide a tartness that balances the sweetness of the bread. If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them to maintain their shape and texture. Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can lead to a dense loaf. Mix until just combined for a light and fluffy texture. Cool Before Glazing: Allow the bread to cool completely before adding the glaze. This will prevent the glaze from melting and ensure it sets beautifully on the bread. Experiment with Zest: For an extra burst of flavor, try adding lemon or lime zest along with the orange zest for a more complex citrus profile. {{image_2}} You can make this orange glazed cranberry bread even better. Try adding nuts like walnuts or pecans. Just chop them up and fold them into the batter. You can also add other fruits. Dried cherries or blueberries work great. They add more flavor and texture. This way, you get a new taste each time you make it. If you need a gluten-free bread, it's easy to change the recipe. Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Make sure your baking powder is gluten-free too. This will keep the bread light and fluffy. Follow the rest of the recipe just like before. You will still enjoy the sweet and tangy taste. Want to switch up the glaze? You can add flavors to the basic glaze. Try lemon juice instead of orange juice for a zesty kick. You can also add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth. Mix these into the powdered sugar and juice. Drizzle your new glaze over the bread for fun flavors. To keep your orange glazed cranberry bread fresh, wrap it in plastic wrap. You can also place it in an airtight container. Store it at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. Freezing your bread is easy. First, let it cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. After that, add a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection. This bread can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready, just thaw it in the fridge overnight. To enjoy your bread warm, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the slices on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10 minutes or until warm. You can also use a microwave. Just heat slices for about 15-20 seconds. Enjoy it fresh! Yes, you can use frozen cranberries in this recipe. Just remember to thaw them first. After thawing, drain off any extra liquid. This helps keep the batter from getting too wet. Frozen cranberries work well and still give a nice tart flavor. They also hold their shape during baking, making your bread look great. To make this bread ahead of time, bake it and let it cool completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. You can store it at room temperature for up to three days. If you want it fresh longer, freeze the bread. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before you serve it. This makes it easy for busy days or special events. Yes, you can switch the orange for other citrus fruits. Lemon or lime zest and juice can add a fresh twist. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change. Lemon gives a bright taste, while lime adds a nice tang. Experiment with different fruits to find your favorite flavor combination. This blog post covered key elements for a tasty bread recipe. We explored important ingredients, swaps, and their unique flavors. I shared step-by-step instructions, tips for great texture, and common mistakes you should avoid. We also looked at fun variations, smart storage tips, and answered your top questions. With this guide, you can create delicious bread that impresses everyone. Enjoy baking and make this recipe your own!

Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread

A delightful bread infused with orange flavor and studded with fresh cranberries, topped with a sweet orange glaze.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup orange juice
  • 1 zest of 1 orange
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice (for glaze)
  • 1 zest for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
  • Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter, mixing well after each addition.
  • Mix in the orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
  • Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
  • Gently fold in the chopped cranberries to the batter.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of orange juice in a small bowl until smooth.
  • Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread and sprinkle with additional orange zest for garnish.

Notes

Slice the bread and arrange it on a serving platter, drizzled with extra glaze and garnished with cranberries and orange slices for a festive touch.
Keyword bread, cranberry, dessert, orange