Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze – The Perfect Holiday Sweet Bread

When I first baked my very first loaf of Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze, I was still fumbling around in my grandmother’s kitchen flour on the counter, a burnt-sugar smell lingering from her last pie experiment, and me trying to measure orange zest with unsteady hands. I remember staring at the bowl of bright cranberries and thinking, “I hope this actually turns into something edible.” And oh did it ever become something edible. That first warm slice, dripping with that glossy sweet glaze, tastes like home, like love, like those chilly autumn evenings when your family gathers around the table. This Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze became my secret weapon when I wanted to bring joy to holiday breakfasts or surprise friends with a homemade treat.

If you’re looking for a classic with a twist a bread that’s tender, slightly tangy, and just sweet enough this recipe is for you. Whether you need a show‑stopping addition to your Christmas spread or a comforting loaf for a Sunday brunch, this Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze hits all the right notes.

Why You’ll Love This Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze

There’s something magical about combining citrus and berries in a cozy bread. With orange zest brightening every bite and tart cranberries offering a dance of flavor, this Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze is one of those holiday loaves that feels festive even before the first slice. Because the glaze melts into cracks and pools on top, each piece becomes a little edible hug perfect for holiday dinners, morning coffees, or gifting to neighbors as part of your Holiday Sweet Bread Recipes tradition.

If you’re hunting for one of the Best Desserts For The Holidays or need a recipe that fits into Holiday Foods Christmas Dinner, this bread delivers. It also sits comfortably among Orange And Cranberry Recipes, Fall Dessert Recipes Cranberry, and Christmas Baking Recipes Breads. It’s cozy, cheerful, and versatile just what you want when the calendar flips to November and December.

Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze

This Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze is a tender, tangy, and sweet loaf perfect for holiday breakfasts or cozy mornings. Bright citrus and tart berries meet in this show-stopping homemade treat.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 1 loaf

Course: Bread, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp orange zest finely grated (about 1–2 oranges)
• 1 cup cranberries fresh or frozen, roughly chopped if large
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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For the Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice adjust to reach drizzling consistency
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract optional
• pinch of salt optional, for balance

Equipment

• 9×5-inch loaf pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• Wire Rack
• Parchment paper

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest. Toss in cranberries to coat.
3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, yogurt or sour cream, orange juice, oil or butter, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Transfer batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55–65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Whisk powdered sugar and orange juice (plus optional vanilla/salt) until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled bread.

Notes

You can make this recipe with dried cranberries if soaked first. Add chopped nuts for texture. Glaze only once cooled.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest (about 1–2 oranges)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (roughly chopped if large)
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• ⅔ cup (160ml) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• ⅓ cup (80ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Sweet Glaze:

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (adjust to reach drizzling consistency)
• Optional: ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or a pinch of salt for flavor balance

How to Make the Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze

1. Preheat and prepare. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper hanging over the edges for easy removal. This step makes a big difference helps the bread pop out cleanly when it’s done.
2. Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest. Toss in the cranberries so they get coated lightly in flour this helps them stay suspended rather than sinking to the bottom of the loaf.
3. Mix wet ingredients. In another bowl, beat the eggs, then whisk in the yogurt (or sour cream), orange juice, oil, and vanilla extract. The yogurt adds moisture and a gentle tang, which contrasts beautifully with the cranberries and orange zest in the bread.
4. Combine wet and dry. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few streaks of flour left overmixing can make the bread dense.
5. Bake. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smooth the top, and bake for about 55–65 minutes. Check at 55 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s ready.
6. Cool before glazing. Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment paper and set it on a wire rack to cool completely. Glazing a hot loaf makes the glaze slide off (hello, mess).
7. Make the sweet glaze. Whisk powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Adjust the juice amount so it reaches a thick but pourable drizzling consistency. Once the bread is fully cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides and gather in the little nooks.

That’s it you’ve made a loaf of Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze ready for holiday breakfasts, cozy afternoons, or gifting.

Baking Tips & Tricks for Perfect Holiday Bread Results

• Don’t skip the orange zest. The zest carries essential oils that make the bread smell and taste bright. The Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze loses a big chunk of its holiday charm without it.
• Use fresh or frozen cranberries. Frozen cranberries work beautifully, but if you use fresh ones, chop them for easier slicing later.
• Let it cool fully before glazing. Patience pays off glazing too soon can turn your beautiful loaf into a sticky mess.
• Make it gluten-free (optional). Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed. Texture might be slightly more crumbly, but the flavors orange + cranberry + sweet glaze remain spot on.
• Add nuts for crunch (optional). A handful of chopped pecans or walnuts folded in with the cranberries adds a nutty warmth that pairs beautifully with the orange notes.

Why This Bread Shines on Holiday Tables

The Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze is a champion when it comes to holiday gatherings for several reasons:

• As part of your Holiday Sweet Bread Recipes, it pairs wonderfully with morning coffee or tea while gifts are being unwrapped.
• For Holiday Foods Christmas Dinner, it offers a sweet side to complement savory mains like roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham.
• If you’re preparing a fall spread think after-school snacks or Thanksgiving dessert trays this loaf belongs among Easy Thanksgiving Bread Recipes.
• It’s also ideal as Gift Bread Recipes. Wrap a loaf with festive ribbon and paper, and you’ve got a heartfelt, homemade present that smells like warmth and generosity.

Plus, thanks to the bright orange and tart cranberry staples of Orange And Cranberry Recipes this bread feels seasonal without being over-the-top sweet.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

• Serving: Slice the loaf thick or thin your choice. It’s perfect plain, or you can lightly toast slices and add a smear of butter or a dollop of whipped cream. The glaze melts slightly when warmed, turning each bite into a cozy treat.
• Storage: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices (without glaze) and thaw when ready to enjoy then glaze and slice.

This flexibility makes Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze a reliable standby for holiday prep and spontaneous baking urges alike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use orange marmalade instead of fresh orange juice and zest?
Yes but it will make the bread sweeter and slightly heavier. Fresh orange juice and zest give the most vibrant citrus flavor to your Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze.

Can I substitute yogurt with sour cream?
Absolutely! Sour cream works just as well and even adds a bit more richness. The texture and flavor stay lovely.

What if I only have dried cranberries?
You can use dried cranberries, but soak them in a bit of orange juice for 10–15 minutes before mixing to rehydrate otherwise they may draw moisture from the bread.

Is this bread suitable for gifting?
Definitely. This Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze is one of the best Gift Bread Recipes it wraps beautifully, tastes fresh, and gives off cozy holiday vibes.

I still remember that first loaf the tight crumb, the speckled red cranberries, the first gooey bite under the sweet glaze. Baking this Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze brought me back to my grandmother’s kitchen, to the smell of citrus and sugar dancing together, to laughter echoing while the oven beeped.

If you’re looking to add warmth and sweetness to your holiday table a loaf that’s both festive and comforting try this recipe. Whether you’re baking for your family, gifting to friends, or just treating yourself to a slow Sunday morning, this Orange Cranberry Bread with Sweet Glaze will become one of those Seasonal Baking Recipes you make again and again. Happy baking and welcome to one more cherished tradition.