If you’re craving a cozy, fragrant, and festive treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up, this Spiced Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine tender, moist bread bursting with tart cranberries and fragrant spices, all brightened with fresh orange zest and juice. This delightful loaf is just the right balance of sweet, tangy, and warmly spiced flavors that will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your heart with happy vibes. Whether it’s a holiday season or just a regular day you want to make special, this bread is a beloved favorite you’ll want to bake again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl holds a light yellow, thick batter with small bubbles on its surface, showing a smooth and creamy texture. Fresh, whole and some halved bright red cranberries with white inner cores are being poured from a white bowl into the batter, landing mostly on the left side of the bowl. A white spatula with a dark brown handle is partially submerged in the batter, angled slightly to the right, and extends diagonally across the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with subtle grey and dark speckles. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this Spiced Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe lies in its perfectly simple but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each item adds its own charm—from the aromatic spices that bring warmth, to the fresh cranberries for a burst of tartness, and the orange components that lift the whole loaf with sunshine and zest.

Confectioners sugar: Used for the sweet, delicate drizzle glaze that finishes the loaf beautifully.
Milk: Both in the batter and in the glaze, adds moisture and smoothness to the bread.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that provides structure and a tender crumb.
Baking powder and baking soda: Essential leavening agents to help the bread rise just right.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and heightens the flavor of all other ingredients.
Ground cardamom, cinnamon, ginger: These warming spices make the loaf wonderfully aromatic with a cozy, spiced profile.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the bread moist and tender without adding overpowering flavor.
Granulated sugar: Adds the perfect level of sweetness, complementing the tart cranberries.
Large eggs: Bind the bread together while adding richness.
Whole milk: Adds moisture and creates a luscious texture.
Orange juice and zest: Fresh orange juice brightens the batter, while zest adds sunny, citrusy notes and vibrant color.
Vanilla extract: Brings depth and a hint of sweetness that rounds out the flavors.
Fresh or frozen cranberries: The star ingredient, lending tart bursts of flavor and festive color in every bite.

How to Make Spiced Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Cranberries and Oven

Begin by preparing your cranberries—if any are larger than a blueberry, cut them in half to ensure even distribution throughout the bread. Then preheat your oven to 350°F and place a rack in the center to ensure even baking. Greasing your loaf pan and lining it with parchment paper will help your beautiful bread come out perfectly every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the warm spices: cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. Whisking not only blends the ingredients but also aerates the mixture slightly to lift the bread.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together your oil, eggs, sugar, whole milk, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. It’s important to mix until the sugar has mostly dissolved and the zest is evenly distributed so every bite is bursting with that lovely citrus aroma.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix—the goal is to combine just enough to bring everything together so your bread stays tender. Finally, fold in the cranberries, ensuring they’re evenly dotted throughout the batter.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean or the internal temperature reads 185°F. After baking, allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period lets the flavors set and makes slicing easier.

Step 6: Glaze and Serve

Mix the confectioners sugar with milk a teaspoon at a time until you have a slightly runny glaze. Drizzle it generously over the cooled loaf for a sweet and elegant finish that’s as pretty as it is tasty. Then slice and enjoy!

How to Serve Spiced Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe

A single slice of cranberry loaf cake with visible red berry pieces inside and a thin layer of white frosting on the bottom edge sits on a white plate with a teardrop shape, placed on a wooden surface. In the background, there is a white rectangular plate holding three more slices of the same cranberry loaf, along with a slice of orange on the side. Scattered cranberries and a white cup with tea on a white saucer also appear in the scene, all set against a dark background and a white marbled texture surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Top your slices with a light spread of softened cream cheese or a dollop of mascarpone for a creamy contrast to the spiced tanginess. Fresh orange segments or a sprinkle of additional orange zest bring even more citrus cheer to the presentation.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or mulled cider. It also complements a fresh fruit salad or a handful of crunchy nuts for a balanced breakfast or a delightful afternoon snack.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive brunch, serve this spiced loaf as mini toasts topped with ricotta and a drizzle of honey. You can even cut it into cubes and skewer with fruit for a charming and easy-to-eat party treat. Wrapped nicely, it makes a thoughtful homemade gift too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days, making it a perfect make-ahead treat.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil or a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.

Reheating

Warm slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds to revive that freshly baked warmth. If you like, add a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey to melt on top for extra indulgence.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh ones. Just be sure not to thaw them completely before adding to the batter to prevent excess moisture.

What other spices can I add or substitute?

You can experiment with nutmeg, cloves, or allspice if you like a bit more complexity. Just keep total spice amounts modest to keep the balance pleasant.

Is it possible to make this bread gluten-free?

Yes, try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Be sure to check if your baking powder and soda are gluten-free as well.

Can I reduce the sugar in the recipe?

Yes, you can reduce the granulated sugar slightly if you prefer less sweetness, but keep the glaze sugar to maintain the finishing touch.

How long will the bread last without refrigeration?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, this bread will stay delicious for up to 3 days. Beyond that, refrigeration or freezing is best to maintain freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Spiced Orange Cranberry Bread Recipe is truly a joy to bake and even more delightful to share. Its bright citrus notes paired with warm spices and tart cranberries create a symphony of flavors that feels like a cozy hug from the inside out. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try this recipe—and I promise, it will become a treasured staple as it has for many of us. Enjoy every fragrant, tender slice!