If there’s one bake that instantly fills your home with warmth and holiday cheer, it’s Cranberry Orange Bread. Bursting with tart cranberries, sweet citrus aroma, and a soft, tender crumb, this loaf is everything you crave in a cozy homemade treat. It’s quick to make, stunning to slice, and the perfect balance of fresh, bright, and comforting — a true baking favorite for any season.

What makes this recipe stand out is its simplicity. No mixers required, no complicated steps, and no strange ingredients. Just fresh cranberries, real orange zest, and classic pantry staples come together to create a loaf that’s unbelievably moist and full of flavor. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll bookmark and return to again and again — for holiday mornings, afternoon snacks, or gifting to friends and family.

Why Cranberry & Orange Are a Perfect Match

Cranberry and orange are a flavor pairing made in heaven. Tart cranberries bring a bright, refreshing bite, while orange adds natural sweetness and fragrant citrus oils. Together, they create a flavor profile that feels both festive and timeless.

Cranberries provide:

• A pop of tartness
• Gorgeous color in every slice
• Juiciness that keeps the bread moist

Oranges provide:

• Zesty brightness
• Sweet citrus aroma
• Moisture from fresh juice

This recipe brings these flavors together in a beautifully balanced loaf that’s light, lively, and impossible to resist.

What Makes This Bread So Easy & Delicious

1. One-bowl wet, one-bowl dry — mix and bake

You don’t need a mixer. You don’t need special tools. Just stir, combine, and pour.

2. Super moist texture

Buttermilk (or milk + lemon juice), melted butter, and cranberries keep the loaf tender for days.

3. Fresh cranberry pops in every bite

They burst during baking, creating pockets of flavor.

4. Bright citrus flavor

Using both zest and juice guarantees big orange aroma.

5. Perfect for gifting or holiday gatherings

Wrap it, slice it, share it — it’s the ideal loaf for cozy moments.

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Orange Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup melted unsalted butter
• ¾ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup fresh orange juice

For the Orange Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp fresh orange juice
• ½ tsp orange zest

Instructions

1. Prepare the Loaf Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
3. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest.
4. Add the cranberries and toss to coat (prevents sinking).
5. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla, and orange juice.
6. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix gently until just combined.

2. Bake the Bread

7. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
8. Bake 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let the loaf cool 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

3. Make the Orange Glaze

10. Whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth.
11. Drizzle over completely cooled bread.

4. Slice & Serve

12. Let glaze set for 10 minutes, then slice thickly. Enjoy warm or room temperature.

Easy & Delicious Cranberry Orange Bread

Moist, bright cranberry orange bread made with fresh cranberries, real orange zest, and a sweet citrus glaze.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 10 slices

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 310

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1.5 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
• 2 eggs large
• 0.5 cup butter melted
• 0.75 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.33 cup orange juice fresh

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 0.5 tsp orange zest

Equipment

• Loaf pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Cooling rack

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5 loaf pan.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest.
3. Add cranberries and toss to coat.
4. Mix eggs, melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla, and orange juice in a separate bowl.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix gently.
6. Pour into loaf pan and bake 50–60 minutes.
7. Whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled bread.

Notes

Frozen cranberries do not need to be thawed.

Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Bread

Coat the cranberries in flour

This keeps them evenly distributed.

Don’t overmix

Overmixing creates dense bread — fold gently.

Fresh cranberries burst beautifully

Frozen work too, no thawing needed.

The glaze is optional but highly recommended

It adds shine, sweetness, and extra orange flavor.

Add nuts if you love crunch

Pecans or walnuts complement the flavors perfectly.

Variations

Cranberry Orange Walnut Loaf

Fold in ½ cup chopped walnuts.

Gluten-Free Version

Use a 1:1 GF flour blend.

Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese Swirl

Add a ribbon of sweet cream cheese for cheesecake vibes.

Chocolate Chip Cranberry Loaf

White chocolate chips pair especially well with citrus.

Serving Suggestions

• Breakfast or brunch
• Holiday morning treat
• Thanksgiving table
• Snack with tea or coffee
• Wrapped as a homemade gift

Serve with:

• Hot tea
• Fresh berries
• Softened butter
• A drizzle of honey