Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe – Moist, Sweet & Bursting with Fresh Citrus!

Hi there, food lover! 👋 Ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of fresh citrus and warm, comforting sweetness? 🍊🍞

There’s something deeply comforting about baking a loaf of homemade quick bread. It feels timeless, familiar, and full of love. This Orange Cranberry Bread is one of those treasured recipes that brings together the bright sunshine of oranges and the gentle tartness of cranberries in perfect harmony. From the moment you zest the oranges to the instant you slice into the golden loaf, this recipe delivers warmth, nostalgia, and pure homemade joy.

Traditionally enjoyed during cooler months and festive seasons, orange cranberry bread has found a permanent place on family tables year-round—and for good reason. The citrus adds freshness and fragrance, while the cranberries burst gently as they bake, creating little pockets of tangy sweetness throughout the loaf. The result is moist, tender, and perfectly balanced, never too sweet and never too sharp.

This recipe is designed to be simple and approachable, just like the breads our grandmothers used to make—no fancy equipment, no complicated techniques, just honest ingredients and a bit of care. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast with a cup of tea ☕, sharing it at a holiday table 🎄, or gifting a loaf to someone you love 🎁, this orange cranberry bread always feels special.

Take your time, enjoy the process, and let your kitchen fill with the comforting scent of citrus and vanilla. Let’s bake something beautiful together. 👩‍🍳💛

🧺 Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges) 🍊
• Zest of 2 oranges
• ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter for richer flavor)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Add-Ins

• 1½ cups fresh cranberries, halved (or frozen, not thawed)
• 1 tablespoon flour (to coat cranberries)

Optional Orange Glaze (Traditional Touch ✨)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

🥣 Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan. Lightly flour it or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the orange juice, orange zest, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and fragrant.
4. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, gently folding with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix—this keeps the bread tender.
5. Toss the cranberries with 1 tablespoon of flour, then fold them gently into the batter.
6. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. If using glaze, whisk powdered sugar with orange juice and drizzle over the cooled loaf.

🧮 Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximate)

⏰ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Baking Time: 55 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

⚡ Calories per serving: ~260
🍽️ Servings: 10 slices

• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 11g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 20g

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Bon appétit and happy cooking! 👩‍🍳🍽️