Description

Cranberry Bread with Orange Glaze is a festive, flavorful treat combining tart cranberries with the sweet citrusy flavor of orange. This moist, tender quick bread is topped with a sugary orange glaze that adds the perfect balance of sweetness and brightness. It’s a delightful breakfast, snack, or dessert perfect for the holiday season or any time you want a refreshing baked good.

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Bread:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 orange)
Zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries (coarsely chopped if desired)
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the Orange Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
½ teaspoon orange zest
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Prepare the Cranberry Bread:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients:
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until combined.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
Fold in Cranberries:
Gently fold the cranberries (and nuts if using) into the batter. The batter will be thick, which is normal.
Bake the Bread:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too much, cover with foil halfway through.
Cool the Bread:
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Orange Glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more powdered sugar or juice if necessary.
Glaze the Bread:
Once the bread is completely cooled, drizzle the orange glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
Serve:
Slice the bread into thick slices and serve. It pairs beautifully with coffee or tea.

Notes

Nuts: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for extra crunch.Chocolate Chips: For a fun twist, add ½ cup of white or semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter.Spices: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves for extra warmth and depth of flavor.