Description
This festive cranberry bread with orange glaze is a delightful holiday treat combining tart cranberries and a sweet citrus glaze. Easy to prepare and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or gifting, this moist bread features a tender crumb enriched with orange zest and juice for a bright, flavorful experience.
Ingredients
Scale
For the bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (halved or whole)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (from 1 orange)
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt for a lighter option)
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside for later use.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and orange zest to infuse flavor.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with orange juice and sour cream. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can make the bread dense.
- Fold in the cranberries: Gently fold the fresh cranberries into the batter, making sure they are evenly distributed to ensure flavor in every bite.
- Bake the bread: 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, ensuring the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool the bread: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze the bread: Once the bread is slightly cooled, drizzle the orange glaze over the top and let it set for a few minutes before slicing and serving to add a sweet citrus finish.
Notes
- Fresh cranberries yield the best texture and flavor. If using frozen cranberries, chop them while still frozen to avoid turning the bread purple.
- You can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt for a lighter version without sacrificing moisture.
- To add a warm spiced note, incorporate a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the batter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry bread, orange glaze, holiday bread, festive dessert, easy baking, vegetarian dessert
