Cranberry Orange Vanilla Glaze (Printable)

Moist loaf packed with cranberries and orange zest, topped with a smooth vanilla glaze.

# Components:

→ Loaf Batter

01 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
05 - 1/2 cup neutral oil
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 cup milk or buttermilk
08 - Zest of 1 large orange
09 - 2 tablespoons orange juice
10 - 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, halved

→ Vanilla Glaze

11 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
12 - 1–2 tablespoons milk

# Method:

01 - Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a standard 23x13 cm (9x5 inch) loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing for overhang.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the neutral oil, eggs, milk (or buttermilk), orange zest, and orange juice until well combined.
03 - Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the cranberries.
04 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
05 - While the loaf cools, prepare the vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired drizzling consistency. Once the loaf is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top and allow it to set before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just over an hour from start to finish
  • Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have
  • Perfect make ahead option for holiday breakfasts or gifting
02 -
  • Keeps fresh at room temperature for 3 days in airtight container
  • Can be frozen unglazed for up to 3 months
  • Makes a thoughtful homemade holiday gift when wrapped in parchment
03 -
  • The temperature of your ingredients matters tremendously for this recipe. Room temperature eggs and milk blend more smoothly with the oil, creating a more uniform batter that rises evenly.
  • When zesting the orange, be careful to capture only the colored part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith beneath.
  • For the most impressive presentation, reserve a handful of cranberries to place on top of the batter just before baking, creating ruby-like jewels that peek through the surface.
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