Gluten-Free Cranberry Orange Bread (Dairy-Free)

It’s Holiday Season!

The holidays are here and during this most beautiful time of year, there are just so many things to celebrate and give thanks for – family, friends and the immensely bountiful love that surrounds me in every aspect of my life. God is good.

Festive Cranberry Bread to Celebrate the Holidays

To celebrate, I’ve got a beautifully festive loaf that combines the vibrant colors of cranberries and oranges.

This gluten-free dairy-free cranberry orange bread sings of joy and celebration, and is the perfect quick bread for this Christmas season!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The ingredients required for this gluten-free orange cranberry bread are easily accessible at the local grocery stores (nothing fancy required!).
• Easy to Make: Preparing the batter is as uncomplicated as mixing the dry and wet ingredients together, then stirring in the cranberries and baking! The simple orange glaze comes together in a flash and then spread the glaze on the cooled loaf and it’s ready!
• Perfect Texture & Flavor: With a soft and fluffy texture, this gluten-free quick bread tastes delicious and is the perfect loaf for the festive season!
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this easy orange cranberry bread is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without worries!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this gluten-free cranberry orange bread recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

For the Cranberry Orange Loaf:

For the Orange Glaze:

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: I recommend using a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch) to ensure a lighter and fluffier final texture. I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free flour blend that is made up of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour) as that will result in a denser final texture.
• Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours and helps the ingredients to bind better together. If your gluten-free flour blend does not already include xanthan gum, make sure to add it in.
• Baking Powder: Baking powder is the only leavening agent in this gluten-free orange cranberry bread recipe, and helps the batter to rise, so make sure to add it in. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free baking powder.
• Sugar: I used white sugar, but you may also use cane sugar, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar or coconut sugar (just bear in mind that the darker the color of the sugar used, the darker the loaf will turn out). If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that will not raise your blood sugar).
• Orange Zest: It’s best to grate the orange zest just before using it for the best flavor and fragrance.
• Eggs: Eggs are necessary to bind the ingredients together. I personally have not tried making this recipe without eggs, but if you are allergic to eggs, you may try substituting the eggs with acquafaba or an egg-replacer. (If you do make this cranberry loaf without eggs, please let me know how it goes in the comments below, I’d love to know!).
• Yogurt: I used plain unsweetened dairy-free Greek yogurt to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use coconut yogurt if you prefer. If you are not lactose-intolerant, you may use regular Greek yogurt instead or sour cream instead.
• Vanilla Extract: I like adding vanilla extract for extra flavor, and highly recommend it.
• Butter: I used unsalted dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use melted coconut oil instead (if using coconut oil, I recommend using refined coconut oil, which has a neutral flavor, as opposed to extra virgin coconut oil, which has a more pronounced coconut smell and taste.)
• Cranberries: I used fresh cranberries, but frozen cranberries will work just as well.
• Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar) has a very fine powdery texture that allows it to dissolve easily in the melted butter and orange juice mixture. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using powdered monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 powdered sugar substitute that will not raise your blood sugar.)
• Orange Juice: I prefer using fresh orange juice for the best flavor. However, if you don’t have fresh orange juice, bottled orange juice will work too.

How to Make Gluten-Free Cranberry Orange Bread (Step by Step):

1. Preheat and Line

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Grease and line a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan with parchment paper, and adjust the oven rack to the middle position.

2. Rub Sugar with Orange Zest

In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest together, then use your fingers to rub the sugar with the fresh orange zest until sugar is moist and fragrant.

3. Add Eggs

Add eggs in and whisk until pale and frothy.

4. Add Yogurt and Vanilla Extract

Add yogurt and vanilla extract and mix well.

5. Add Dry Ingredients

Sift in gluten-free all-purpose flour, xanthan gum (if using), and baking powder, and then whisk well until combined.

6. Add Butter

Use a spatula to fold in the melted dairy-free butter into the batter until batter is glossy.

7. Fold in Cranberries

Gently fold in ¾ cup of the cranberries until they are evenly distributed.

8. Transfer Batter to Pan

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

9. Top with Remaining Cranberries

Top the batter with the remaining 1/4 cup of cranberries, distributing them evenly.

10. Bake Until Golden

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes on the middle rack, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean and the loaf is golden brown.

11. Cool Before Removing

Allow cranberry bread to cool for at least 10 minutes before removing from pan, and letting it cool completely on a wire rack.

12. Prepare Orange Glaze

As the cranberry orange bread is cooling, prepare the glaze. Whisk the melted dairy-free butter, powdered sugar and orange juice together until smooth.

13. Drizzle Glaze Over Loaf

Spread the orange glaze over the cooled loaf, then allow it to set for a few minutes at room temperature before slicing and enjoying!

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Fresh or Frozen: I used fresh cranberries, but if you don’t have access to fresh cranberries, frozen cranberries will work just as well in this quick bread recipe.
• Swap Orange for Lemon: Orange and cranberries are complementary flavors, but lemon juice and zest will work just as well.
• Make Mini Cranberry Loaves: If you prefer, you can use mini loaf pans to make 3 mini loaves instead of one large one.
• Line with Parchment: Make sure to line the loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent the loaf from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Cranberry Recipes to Enjoy:

• 20-Minute Cranberry Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Cranberry Bread Pudding (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Cranberry Pie (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Other Gluten-Free Quick Breads to Bake:

• Easy Apple Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Lemon Poppy Seed Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Lemon Blueberry Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Corn Flour Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Holiday Desserts to Enjoy: