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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Baked Goods

Cranberry Bread

Updated: Nov 15, 2024 · Published: Dec 16, 2020 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 10 Comments

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Diet: Low Fat / Vegetarian
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Light and fluffy Cranberry Bread is the perfect sweet treat at Christmas time. Bursts of cranberries with zesty orange in a moist, buttery and fluffy sweet bread, that is drizzled with icing to finish it off. Like banana bread, but with a festive twist and all made in one bowl.

Cranberry bread cut into slices on a wooden board.

About this Cranberry Bread Recipe

We love loaf cakes. They are simple to make, so easy to adapt with different fruit and nuts and they are the perfect little afternoon treat with a cup of coffee for 5 minutes peace.

This cranberry orange bread has the perfect Christmas flavour combination of cranberry and orange and it makes a lovely homemade gift at Christmas time too.

This orange cranberry bread is such an easy bread to make and it is ready in just an hour, plus cooling time. If you can't get through all this loaf, then it freezes really well too.

Looking for some other festive treats to try? Why not try our Christmas Tree Brownies, Cinnamon Flapjacks and Santa Hat Brownies.

Jump to:
  • About this Cranberry Bread Recipe
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Variations
  • How to Make Cranberry Bread - Step by Step
  • Topping
  • Storage
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Cranberry Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed for this recipe laid out with text overlay labels.

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Cranberries - We used fresh cranberries, however you can use frozen instead, and there is no need to defrost them first.
  • Oranges - Zest and juice go into this cranberry bread to make it deliciously citrusy.
  • Plain flour, baking powder and baking soda
  • Caster sugar - This adds more volume to the cranberry bread, and gives it a light and fluffy texture. If you don't have caster, then you can grind up granulated sugar in a food processor for a couple of minutes and use that instead.
  • Spices - We used cinnamon and nutmeg and they are the perfect Christmas spice combination. You could use some ginger too.
  • Egg - We used large eggs that were at room temperature (just leave them out for 30 minutes). Use room temperature eggs because they are easier to mix evenly and you will get a better volume cake.
  • Butter - For best results, use room temperature butter (that is still a little cool to touch) as this will ensure and even consistency of the bread.
  • Icing sugar - This is what is mixed with orange juice to make the icing drizzle.

Variations

Not only could you swap the icing for a cream cheese frosting, but we have some other ways that you could adapt it too. You can add some chopped walnuts to make a cranberry walnut bread or pecans or flaked almonds in which add a nice texture to the bread.

We love anything that we can add chocolate to, and dark, milk or white chocolate chips (or all three) work really well in this cranberry bread recipe.

You can also use this recipe to make delicious muffins. Divide the mixture into 12 muffin cases and bake for around 25-30 minutes, until a knife comes out clean.

How to Make Cranberry Bread - Step by Step

Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.

A mixing bowl containing flour and spices.
  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Wet cake ingredients added to the dry ingredients.
  1. Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, egg, orange juice and zest. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon.
Fresh cranberries added to the bowl.
  1. Step 3: Gently stir in the cranberries.
Cake batter pored into a loaf tin.
  1. Step 4: Grease a 9x5 inch (22.5 x 12.5 cm) loaf tin. Pour the batter into the tin and cook in the oven for 1 hour, until a skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes.
  1. Step 5: Run a knife around the edge of the tin to loosen the loaf and then turn out onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely.
A bowl of icing sugar and orange juice and zest.
  1. Step 6: Make the icing by mixing together the icing sugar, orange juice and zest until smooth.
  2. Step 7: Drizzle over the loaf and allow to set before slicing the loaf.

Topping

We have made a really simple orange icing with icing sugar, orange juice and zest and poured it all over the top of the cranberry orange bread.

However, if you prefer something a little more substantial on top of it, then you could make a cream cheese frosting to spread on it. Just make sure that it is full of orange flavour. We prefer the icing, as it isn't as heavy as buttercream.

Storage

Store: You can store the bread wrapped and in an air tight container. It will store in an air tight container for 3-4 days.

Freeze: You can freeze cranberry bread, but make sure you haven't added any icing, as that doesn't really freeze well. Wrap slices of it in baking paper and store in freezer bag. They will keep well for up to 4 weeks.

Extra Tips

  • You can use salted or unsalted butter in this recipe. We haven't added any salt to the mix, so using salted butter won't make it overly salty.
  • We have used the juice of an orange. However, we have also added the measurement for the liquid, as the juiciness of an orange can vary greatly.
  • You can use frozen cranberries in this recipe too, and they don't need to be defrosted first.
  • Add the egg already whisked to the bowl. This prevents you from having to over mix the batter.
  • Add a little extra texture to this bread by mixing some crushed walnuts or pecans in.
  • For a richer flavour, you can use half caster sugar and half brown sugar.
  • If the top of your bread starts to get too brown, but it's still not cooked through, then you can loosely put some foil on top.
Slices of cranberry loaf on a board next to a red towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I used dried cranberries instead of fresh?

We have used fresh cranberries, as they add lots of moisture to the bread and add a nice burst of flavour. However, you can swap them for dried cranberries if you prefer. If you are using dried cranberries, then soak them first as this makes them a bit juicer. You can then use the soaking liquid to make the icing.
You can also use frozen cranberries too, and there is no need to defrost them.

What if I don't have a 2lb loaf tin?

If you don't have the same loaf tin that we have used, then you can use 2 1lb loaf tins instead. Cooking time would reduce to about 35 -40 minutes. You can then either freeze one loaf (sliced) or wrap it up for a nice homemade Christmas gift.

Why does my cranberry bread sink?

If you bread sinks when it comes out of the oven, there could be a couple of different issues. Firstly, make sure that your measurements are exact. We bake in metric and the imperial conversion should be used as a guide and might not be exact. Make sure your baking powder isn't expired and also be careful not to over mix the dough. Use a oven thermometer to make sure your oven is getting to the exact temperature.

How to stop my cranberries sinking to the bottom?

Sprinkle a teaspoon of flour over the cranberries and mix together before adding to the dough. This will prevent the cranberries from sinking to the bottom of the bread.

More Cranberry Recipes

  • Cranberry Chicken in a large round baking dish.
    Cranberry Chicken
  • Cranberry and Brie Bites on a wooden serving board.
    Cranberry Brie Bites
  • Cranberry Orange Muffins, some on a cooling rack, some in a basket.
    Cranberry Orange Muffins
  • Cranberry Smoothie in a tall glass decorated with stars.
    Cranberry Smoothie

If you’ve tried this cranberry bread recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Cranberry bread cut into slices on a wooden board.

Cranberry Bread

By: Dannii Martin
This festive Cranberry Bread is the best sweet treat this Christmas. Enjoy zesty orange and cranberries in a fluffy, buttery loaf cake. All made in one bowl
the words low fat in a white circle.
Low Fat
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
5 from 13 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British, Christmas
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 1 hour hr
Cooling time: 1 hour hr
Total: 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 288kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten

Ingredients

For the bread:

  • 100 g (1 cups) Fresh cranberries
  • 1 Orange - (juice and zest only)
  • 70 g (0.33 cups) Butter
  • 200 g (1 cups) Caster sugar
  • 250 g (2 cups) Plain flour - all purpose
  • 1.5 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 1 Egg

For the orange drizzle:

  • 120 g (1 cups) Icing sugar
  • 2 tablespoon Orange juice
  • 0.5 Orange - (zest only)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4. Grease a 9x5 inch (22.5 x 12.5 cm) loaf tin.
  • In a large bowl, mix together 250 g Plain flour, 1.5 teaspoon Baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda, 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon and 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together 70 g Butter, 200 g Caster sugar, 1 Eggand the juice and zest of 1 Orange.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon.
  • Gently stir in 100 g Fresh cranberries.
  • Pour the batter into the greased tin and cook in the oven for 1 hour, until a skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes.
  • Once cooked, run a knife around the edge of the tin to loosen the loaf and then turn out onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely.
  • Make the icing by mixing together 120 g Icing sugar and the zest of 0.5 Orange. Slowly add 2 tablespoon Orange juice until smooth. Don't let the icing get too thin.
  • Drizzle over the loaf and allow to set before slicing the loaf.

Recipe Tips

  • You can use salted or unsalted butter in this recipe. We haven't added any salt to the mix, so using salted butter won't make it overly salty.
  • We have used the juice of an orange. However, we have also added the measurement for the liquid, as the juiciness of an orange can vary greatly.
  • You can use frozen cranberries in this recipe too, and they don't need to be defrosted first.
  • Add the egg already whisked to the bowl. This prevents you from having to over mix the batter.
  • Add a little extra texture to this bread by mixing some crushed walnuts or pecans in.
  • For a richer flavour, you can use half caster sugar and half brown sugar.
  • If the top of your bread starts to get too brown, but it's still not cooked through, then you can loosely put some foil on top.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 256IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Anjali says

    December 18, 2020 at 9:35 am

    5 stars
    Omg what a perfect holiday treat!! I can't wait to add this to my Christmas menu for next week!

    Reply
  2. Beth says

    December 17, 2020 at 1:19 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious and tasty! I can't wait to make this recipe! My family is going to love this!

    Reply
  3. sarah johnson says

    December 17, 2020 at 1:03 pm

    5 stars
    Since a lovely sweet bread, it's the first time I've used a sweet bread with cranberries, it makes the loaf surprisingly moist. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
  4. Gina says

    December 17, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    Love the bright pop of flavor, color and texture from the cranberries, such a delicious loaf!

    Reply
  5. Laura says

    December 17, 2020 at 11:42 am

    5 stars
    Fantastic way to use up the cranberries. It's a really tasty bread.

    Reply
  6. Sara Welch says

    December 16, 2020 at 11:11 pm

    5 stars
    Such a delicious bread that is perfect for fall! Definitely going to make this again for Christmas; it was delicious!

    Reply
  7. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    December 16, 2020 at 11:04 pm

    5 stars
    Love all the flavors here, I already know I’m going to enjoy this recipe a lot!

    Reply
  8. Katie says

    December 16, 2020 at 10:55 pm

    5 stars
    Looks so good! Can't wait to try this one.

    Reply
  9. Cate says

    December 16, 2020 at 9:40 pm

    Wow what a perfect holiday bread to make! Saving this to make for Christmas, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. Adrianne says

    December 16, 2020 at 9:40 pm

    5 stars
    I love loaf cakes too!! This looks delicious. The idea of turning it into muffins is super appealing also. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
5 from 13 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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