Glazed Cranberry Bread is a delightful treat that perfectly combines the tartness of cranberries with a sweet, creamy glaze. This mouthwatering bread is not only visually stunning but also makes for a wonderful gift or a delicious addition to any brunch or holiday spread. With its vibrant red cranberries and rich cream cheese flavor, this recipe is bound to impress your family and friends. Let’s dive into the ingredients and get baking!

What You’ll Need for Glazed Cranberry Bread

To get started, here’s everything you’ll need to whip up this delicious bread:

8 oz (225 g) cream cheese (room temperature)
½ cup (115 g) butter (room temperature)
1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups (200 g) cranberries (chopped)
1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice or apple juice

Step-by-Step Glazed Cranberry Bread Recipe

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two loaf pans with non-stick spray and coat them with sugar. This gives the bread a lovely crust.
In a large bowl, cream together the room temperature cream cheese, butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until everything is nicely combined and fluffy.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the mixture. Stir until fully incorporated.
Gently add in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure the bread stays nice and soft.
Fold in the chopped cranberries, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Pour half of the batter into each prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the bread is baking, you can prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with orange juice or apple juice until smooth.
Once the bread is fully cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top for that perfect finishing touch.

How to Serve Glazed Cranberry Bread

This delightful bread can be served in many different ways! Slice it up thick for a warm, cozy breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack. Pair it with a cup of tea or coffee to elevate your experience. For a festive touch, consider serving it on a beautiful platter garnished with fresh cranberries or orange slices. It’s also delightful as part of a holiday brunch spread alongside other pastries and breakfast foods.

Expert Tips for Glazed Cranberry Bread

Use Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries. If using frozen, there’s no need to thaw them; just chop and fold them into the batter!
Add Nuts for Crunch: For an extra crunch and flavor, consider folding in some chopped walnuts or pecans with the cranberries.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can also freeze slices for up to three months!

Glazed Cranberry Bread FAQs

Can I make this bread without cream cheese?

While cream cheese adds a lovely tangy flavor, you can substitute it with plain yogurt or sour cream for a similar texture.

How can I add more flavor to the bread?

Consider adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for an extra warmth. A tablespoon of lemon zest can also enhance the flavor beautifully.

Is this bread suitable for breakfast?

Absolutely! It’s sweet enough for breakfast but not overly so, making it a perfect pairing with coffee or tea in the morning.

If you haven’t tried making Glazed Cranberry Bread yet, now is the perfect time! It’s easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Enjoy baking and treating your family to this delightful loaf!

Print Recipe

Glazed Cranberry Bread

Glazed Cranberry Bread is a delightful treat that combines the tartness of cranberries with a sweet, creamy glaze, making it perfect for brunch or gifting.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Keyword: Brunch Recipe, Cranberry Bread, Glazed Bread, Holiday Baking, Quick Bread

Servings: 12 slices

Calories: 240kcal

Ingredients

For the Bread

8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
½ cup butter (room temperature)
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups cranberries (chopped) Fresh or frozen

For the Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice or apple juice

Instructions

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two loaf pans with non-stick spray and coat them with sugar.
In a large bowl, cream together the room temperature cream cheese, butter, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
Gently add in the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until just combined.
Fold in the chopped cranberries until evenly distributed.
Pour half of the batter into each prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Glaze Preparation

While the bread is baking, whisk together the powdered sugar with orange juice or apple juice in a small bowl until smooth.
Once the bread is fully cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top.

Notes

Use fresh or frozen cranberries. Add nuts for crunch by folding in chopped walnuts or pecans. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or freeze slices for up to three months.