Cranberry Orange Bread is one of my favorite Holiday Quick Bread recipes because it’s so easy to make, it’s a velvety smooth pound bread with delicious Orange Zest, Orange Juice and tart fresh cranberries.
In a Mixer: Cream softened butter and sugar for until light and fluffy.
Add softened cream cheese and allow to whip for 2-3 minutes
Add Eggs, One at a time and allow to be fully mixed in.
Add Orange Juice, Orange Zest, Orange Extract, and salt.
Add Flour a little at a time and mix until combined.
Grease and flour loaf pan Pour batter into pan
Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Check after 1 hour. Use a toothpick in the center to test for doneness. Bread will be done with toothpick comes out clean from center. I typically bake mine for 1 hour 5 mins.
Orange Glaze
Mix butter and powered sugar in a mixing bowl using a fork. Add Orange Juice. This will be thin. If you prefer a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar. Drizzle over top of warm bread and allow to run down sides.
Notes
Pro Tips:
Dried Cranberries can be used in place of Fresh Cranberries. Reduce measurement by ¼ cup when using dried cranberries.
About the last 15+ minutes cover the bread with foil, shiny side down. This helps to not overcook the top while the inside is still cooking.
The glaze is delicious and something to try, but the less sweet bread is delicious all on it’s own too.
This recipe can easily be doubled for 2 loaves of bread
Shopping list of Ingredients
Fats: Real Butter and Cream Cheese make up the fats in this recipe, they create a velvety smooth pound bread
Eggs: Eggs will give the recipe some lift as well as bind the ingredients together
Dry Ingredients: Sugar, All Purpose Flour, and a little salt
Add Flavor: Orange Extract, Orange Zest and Orange Juice the Bread will come alive with flavor.
Cranberries: Whole Fresh Berries are ideal. Frozen can also be used