The Best Cranberry Orange Breadis sweet, gorgeous, and perfect for giving as a gift! Made with tangy orange zest, melted butter, and fresh cranberries – it is the perfect winter treat.

Baked cranberry orange bread in a white ceramic tea cake pan on a white counter next to an orange cut in half and a bowl of cranberries.

There’s something magical about the bright little pops of tart cranberry mixed in with all that sweet bread that makes Cranberry Orange Bread special. Adding a little orange glaze to the mix really puts this bread over the top.

Two slices of cranberry orange bread on a white plate with a fork next to them and with two oranges and a bowl of fresh cranberries in the background.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super easy to make with simple ingredients
Makes a wonderful Christmas gift.
It’s delicious in the morning with a cup of tea or coffee.

Recipe Ingredients

Sugar
Oranges:Used for zest and juice.
All-purpose flour
Salt
Baking powder
Buttermilk:You can use store bought ormake a buttermilk substitute.
Butter
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Cranberries
Powdered sugar:For making the glaze.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread

Sugar and orange zest in a white bowl with a green rim.

Step #1.Put the sugar and orange zest in a bowl and mix together until the sugar turns a bit orange and is fragrant. Then add the dry ingredients.

The wet and dry ingredients for cranberry orange bread about to be combined in a white mixing bowl with a green rim.

Step #2.In a separate bowl, put all of the wet ingredients and whisk to combine well. Then combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring just until combined.

Chopped fresh cranberries being added to the batter for cranberry orange bread in a white mixing bowl with a green rim and a wooden spoon.

Step #3.Add the cranberries and gently fold them in.

Cranberry orange bread batter being poured into a white ceramic tea cake pan using a wooden spoon.

Step #4.Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake at 350F until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Recipe FAQs

What kind of pan should I bake Cranberry Orange Bread in?

I used this tea loaf pan to make the bread pictured here but I have also made it in a traditional bread loaf pan, as muffins, and in mini loaf pans. The pan you use will change your baking time so be sure to check the recipe notes.

Can I use frozen cranberries?

Yes. You can use frozen cranberries instead of fresh cranberries – let them thaw for about 10 minutes while you’re mixing up the bread and then they will be thawed enough that you can chop them.

Can I use dried cranberries in Cranberry Orange Bread?

Dried cranberries would work in this recipes but they are usually sweetened so I wouldn’t recommend it because the finished product will be overly sweet. If you can find unsweetened dried cranberries, that would work the best.

Can I freeze this bread?

Yes! It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure that the bread is fully cool before wrapping it in plastic wrap and then putting it in an airtight container or freezer zip-top bag.

Top view of cranberry orange bread on cutting board with bowl of glaze, bowl of cranberries, and oranges around it.

Expert Tips

Mixing the orange zest with the sugar before you add anything is the secretof this bread. The sugar pulls the oils out of the zest and you are making orange-infused sugar which really makes the orange flavor carry throughout the bread.
While baking,if the top is starting to brown too quickly, cover the bread with foil for the 10 minutes or so of baking.
Plan on buying a few extra cranberries for yourcranberry sauce recipefor Thanksgiving. When they are hanging out in the fridge after the holiday, you’ll be all set to make this bread.
Feel free to double this recipe; it works great and makes it easier to give a loaf away or freeze it for later.
If you freeze this bread,you can make and add the glaze after it thaws.

Close-up of the side of a loaf of cranberry orange bread with the glaze dripping down the side with a couple oranges, a bowl of cranberries, and the bowl of glaze in the background.

How long do I bake Cranberry Orange Bread based on pan size?

Bake in a 9×5 inch loaf pan at 350F for about 70 minutes (1 hour and 10 minutes).
Bake in a tea loaf pan at 350F for around 50 minutes.
Bake 12 muffins in a standard size muffin pan at 350F for 18-20 minutes.
Bake mini loaf pans at 350F for 30-35 minutes (depending on the size of your pan).