Introduction

Oh, friends, is there anything better than your kitchen filling with the smell of holiday baking? This Festive Christmas Bread is pure, cozy joy in a loaf! Imagine a super moist, tender, sweet Christmas bread, bursting with bright, zesty orange and studded with tart, jewel-like cranberries, all topped with a sweet orange glaze. It’s one of those easy Christmas bread recipes that tastes like it came from a fancy bakery, but it’s so simple to whip up. It perfectly balances a comforting, sweet treat with the bright, fresh flavors of the season.

Serving Versatility

This holiday loaf is wonderfully versatile! It’s absolutely perfect served on its own. Enjoy a thick, warm slice with a cup of coffee for a festive breakfast, serve it as part of a holiday brunch spread, or enjoy it as a simple, cozy dessert.

Full Recipe Section

Easy Cranberry Orange Christmas Bread

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 55-60 minutes Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes Servings: 1 loaf (8-10 slices) Calories: Approximately 290 kcal per slice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (or 3/4 cup milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• For the Glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the beaten egg, melted butter, buttermilk, and 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice.
4. Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. Do not overmix! A few lumps are perfectly fine.
5. Fold & Bake: Gently fold in the cranberries. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.
6. Bake: Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Glaze: Once cool, whisk the powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons of orange juice together until smooth. Drizzle the glaze all over the top of the loaf.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick Preparation: The batter comes together in about 10 minutes, then the oven does all the work. It’s perfect for holiday multi-tasking!
• Budget-Friendly: Uses simple pantry staples to create a beautiful, delicious loaf.
• Big, Cozy Flavor: The ultimate sweet Christmas bread! The bright orange and tart cranberry are a classic holiday flavor pairing.
• Perfect for Gifting: This is one of the best gift bread recipes. It’s so festive and holds up beautifully for wrapping.
• Customizable: You can make these as mini loaves for Christmas gifts or add chopped pecans or white chocolate chips!

Cultural or Cooking Technique Note (Optional)

This recipe is a classic American “quick bread.” Unlike traditional holiday yeast breads that require hours of rising and kneading, this holiday loaf recipe uses chemical leaveners (baking powder and soda) to get its lift. This technique makes it one of the best things to bake during Christmas when you’re busy, as it comes together quickly and is perfect for baked holiday gifts!

Serving Suggestions

1. For Breakfast: Serve a warm slice with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
2. With Butter: A simple pat of salted butter on a slice is pure heaven.
3. Holiday Brunch: Make it the centerpiece of a festive brunch board.
4. As a Gift: Bake in mini loaf pans, wrap in cellophane with a ribbon, and give as the perfect homemade gift!

Pro Tips for Success

• Do Not Overmix: This is the #1 rule for a tender quick bread. Mix just until the flour disappears. Lumps are your friends!
• Toss Cranberries in Flour: If you’re worried about your cranberries sinking, toss them in a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter.
• Room Temperature: For the most even bake, try to use room temperature eggs and buttermilk.
• Tent with Foil: If the top of your loaf is getting too dark before the center is cooked, gently place a piece of aluminum foil over the top for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Store the completely cooled bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: To get that “fresh baked” feeling, warm a slice in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Closing Paragraph

I am so excited for you to fill your home with the cozy smells of this Festive Christmas Bread! It’s the perfect, simple bake for the holiday season. Go ahead and get in the “Santa baking” spirit, and please let me know if you try it by leaving a comment and a rating below!

🎀 Final Thoughts

This is my go-to “baked holiday gifts” recipe. I love making mini loaves, wrapping them in cellophane with a pretty red ribbon, and giving them to neighbors and friends. It just feels so personal and cozy, and it’s my favorite way to share a little bit of holiday warmth.