When the air turns crisp and cozy flavors call our name, nothing hits the spot quite like a slice of Cranberry Orange Bread. Soft, moist, full of fresh citrus, and kissed with tart cranberries—this is one winter bake you’ll crave again and again.
This family favorite comes together quickly, uses humble ingredients, and fills your kitchen with the most irresistible aroma while it bakes. The hardest part? Waiting for it to cool before sneaking a slice!
Why You’ll Love This Bread
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Moist, tender texture
- Bright citrus flavor
- A perfect balance of sweetness and tartness
- Great for breakfast, snacks, or gifting
Plus, this recipe uses the entire orange—juice and zest—so there’s no waste and maximum flavor in every bite.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread
Like most quick breads, this recipe follows three easy steps:
- Mix the dry ingredients
- Combine the wet ingredients
- Stir together gently until just combined
Pour it into a loaf pan, pop it in the oven, and let the magic happen. Within an hour, you’ll have a bakery-worthy loaf ready to enjoy.
Tip: Be sure to grab whole cranberry sauce—not the jellied version—so you get bursts of fruit throughout your bread.
And if you’d rather make muffins? You can easily bake this batter in a muffin tin—quick, cute, and perfect for grab-and-go snacking.
Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 8 oz canned whole cranberries in sauce
- 1 large orange, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons applesauce
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray a loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, combine eggs, cranberries, orange zest and juice, applesauce, almond extract, and oil.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir just until everything is combined—don’t overmix.
- Transfer batter to the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
To make muffins: Spoon batter into greased muffin cups, filling about ⅔ full. Bake 20–23 minutes.
Serving Ideas
- Slice warm with butter
- Drizzle with a simple orange glaze
- Bake into muffins and freeze for quick breakfasts
- Wrap a loaf for gifting—perfect for neighbors and teachers
This Cranberry Orange Bread is everything we love about winter baking—warm spice, bright fruit, and cozy flavors in every slice. Once you try it, it just may become one of your yearly traditions too.
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