Moist and flavorful Orange Cranberry Bread made with fresh fruit and a hint of citrus. A delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you crave something sweet and tangy.
This Orange Cranberry Bread is tender, moist, and bursting with the bright flavors of fresh oranges and tart cranberries. Itโs a simple, delicious loaf and sure to be a hit.
The sweet and tangy combination makes it perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack. A light glaze or dusting of powdered sugar adds an extra touch of sweetness, making it irresistible. It is similar to Cranberry Bread Recipe but with citrus flavor.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
- Bright and flavorful: The fresh orange zest and tart cranberries make each bite lively and refreshing.
- Moist and tender: Soft, fluffy bread that stays moist for days, perfect for breakfast or snacks.
- Versatile: Great on its own, toasted with butter, or drizzled with a simple glaze for extra sweetness.
Ingredients
Loaf
- Greek Yogurt: Adds moisture and a subtle tang to the bread.
- Unsalted Butter, melted: Provides richness and tender crumb.
- Orange Juice & Zest: Gives bright citrus flavor throughout.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients and help with structure.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and balances the tartness of cranberries.
- All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder & Salt: Forms the base and ensures the bread rises properly.
- Fresh Cranberries: Add tart bursts and vibrant color.
Glaze
- Orange Juice: Provides the liquid base for the glaze and bright citrus flavor.
- Confectionersโ Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the glaze for drizzling.
- Orange Zest: Adds extra citrus aroma and flavor to the glaze.
Variations
- Nuts: Add ยฝ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.
- Spices: Enhance the flavor with ยฝ teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Citrus Twist: Substitute half the orange juice with lemon juice for a tangy variation.
- Glaze Options: Swap the orange glaze for a simple powdered sugar glaze, lemon glaze, or a thin cream cheese glaze.
- Mixed Berries: Replace cranberries with a mix of fresh or frozen berries like blueberries or raspberries.
- Chocolate: Fold in ยฝ cup white or dark chocolate chips for a sweeter version.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. Start by preheating the oven to 350ยฐF. Prepare the pan by lining an 8-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Spray the sides with baking spray.
Step 2. Use a large mixing bowl and whisk together the Greek yogurt, melted butter, orange juice, eggs, vanilla, and sugar until smooth.
Step 3. Get out a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift the dry mixture into the wet ingredients.
Step 4. Mix together on medium speed for 30โ60 seconds. Be careful that you don’t over mix. Then carefully fold in the orange zest and cranberries.
Step 5. Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top and bake for 50โ60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7. While the loaf cools, prepare the glaze. Whisk together the orange juice, confectionersโ sugar, and orange zest until smooth. Adjust consistency with more sugar for a thicker glaze or more juice for a thinner glaze. Once the loaf has cooled, spoon the glaze over the top and let set for about 30 minutes.
Storage
Room Temperature: Store the orange cranberry bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Keep the bread in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freezer: Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil or a freezer-safe bag; freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Pro Tips
- Use Fresh Cranberries: Fresh cranberries give the best flavor and texture.
- Frozen Cranberries: Thaw frozen cranberries and drain any excess liquid before adding to the batter to prevent excess moisture.
- Dried Cranberries: If fresh or frozen are unavailable, use dried cranberries. Soak in hot water for 30 minutes, then drain before folding into the batter.
- Zest for Brightness: Donโt skip the orange zest. It enhances the citrus flavor and aroma.
- Donโt Overmix: Gently fold cranberries into the batter to maintain a light, tender crumb.
- Check Sweetness: Taste the batter and adjust sugar if your cranberries are particularly tart.
More Quick Bread Recipes
Try this Orange Cranberry Bread today and share your results! Donโt forget to leave a comment and star rating to let us know how it turned out.
Orange Cranberry Bread
Ingredients
For the loaf:
- ยฝ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter melted
- ยผ cup orange juice
- 2 large eggs
- ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ยพ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ยฝ teaspoons baking powder
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 1 ยฝ cups fresh cranberries
For the glaze:
- 3 tbsp orange juice may use up to 4 tbsp
- 1 cup confectionersโ sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF. Line an 8-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Spray the sides with baking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, melted butter, orange juice, eggs, vanilla, and sugar until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift the dry mixture into the wet ingredients.
- Mix on medium speed for 30โ60 seconds. Don’t over mix and blend until just combined.
- Gently fold in the orange zest and cranberries.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50โ60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the loaf cools, prepare the glaze. Whisk together the orange juice, confectionersโ sugar, and orange zest until smooth. Adjust consistency with more sugar for a thicker glaze or more juice for a thinner glaze.
- Once the loaf has cooled, spoon the glaze evenly over the top. Let set for about 30 minutes before slicing.
- Then the bread is ready to slice, serve and enjoy!
