Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Bread

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup milk at room temperature
  • Zest of 1 large orange divided
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup of sour cream
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1/4 cups fresh cranberries thoroughly washed and dried
  • 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

For the Orange Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice or as needed to achieve the desired consistency
  • 1 tsp orange zest

Instructions

For the Cranberry Bread:

  1. Begin by preheating the oven to 350˚F. Generously butter a 6 cup (measuring 8 1/2 by 4 1/2) bread loaf pan. Dust the buttered pan with flour, ensuring even coverage. Tap to remove excess flour.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix.
  3. In a separate container, mix the milk, zest of one orange (reserving 1 tsp of the zest for the glaze), and the freshly squeezed orange juice. Set this mixture aside.
  4. Utilizing a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and sour cream on a medium to high-speed setting for approximately 2-3 minutes. Subsequently, incorporate the two eggs until the mixture is evenly mixed.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients in two batches, alternating with the milk and orange mixture. Mix on a medium to low-speed setting until just combined, ensuring no overmixing.
  6. Coat the cranberries with 1/2 Tbsp of all-purpose flour and gently fold them into the batter. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and place in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top takes on a golden hue and a toothpick inserted into the bread’s center emerges clean. Allow the loaf to cool within the pan for 10-15 minutes. Use a knife to loosen the loaf’s edges and then carefully transfer it to a wire cooling rack. Allow it to cool to room temperature.

For the Orange Glaze:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, orange juice, and reserved orange zest. Mix until a smooth consistency is achieved.
  2. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze in a zigzag pattern along the whole loaf.
  3. Let glaze harden before slicing.