Amazing Homemade Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread
Amazing Homemade Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread
Introduction
This cranberry bread is an absolute delight! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, our Amazing Homemade Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread combines the tartness of fresh cranberries with a perfectly moist, tender crumb, all crowned with a vibrant, sweet orange glaze. It's surprisingly easy to make and fills your kitchen with the most wonderful aroma. Get ready to bake a loaf that will disappear as quickly as it came out of the oven!
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries (do not thaw if frozen)
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang on the sides.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the lightly beaten egg, milk, vegetable oil, and orange zest until well combined.
- Mix Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are fine.
- Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in the cranberries until evenly distributed throughout the batter. If using frozen cranberries, you can toss them with a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter to help prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before carefully removing it and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the bread cools, in a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of orange juice until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add more orange juice a teaspoon at a time until you reach a pourable consistency. If it's too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the orange glaze generously over the top. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Pro Tips & Notes
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dry bread. Mix until just combined.
- Cranberry Prep: If using fresh or frozen cranberries, tossing them lightly in a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter can help prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: Applying glaze to a warm loaf will cause it to melt and absorb into the bread, rather than forming a nice set coating.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: If your glaze is too thick, add more orange juice a teaspoon at a time. If it's too thin, whisk in additional powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
- Storage: Store leftover cranberry bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 180mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen? A: Yes, you can! If using dried cranberries, we recommend soaking them in hot water or orange juice for about 10-15 minutes, then draining them well before folding them into the batter. This helps them plump up and stay moist.
- Q: How long does this bread stay fresh? A: When stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped at room temperature, the bread will stay fresh for 3-4 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to a week.
- Q: Can I freeze this cranberry bread? A: Absolutely! For best results, freeze the bread before applying the glaze. Once the bread is completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature and then prepare and apply the glaze.
- Q: What if I don't have fresh orange juice for the glaze? A: Bottled orange juice works just fine for the glaze. For an extra pop of flavor, you can also add a tiny pinch of orange zest to the powdered sugar for the glaze.