Name: Gluten-Free Cranberry Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: ⅔ cup buttermilk; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, (melted and cooled); 1 tablespoon orange zest ((will need 2 large oranges for entire recipe)); ⅓ cup freshly squeezed orange juice; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour, (I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; 1 ½ cups (6 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, (coarsely chopped); ½ cup walnuts or pecans; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

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Gluten-Free Cranberry Bread recipe makes a moist, slightly tart, and sweet cranberry orange loaf perfect for the holiday season! Fresh cranberries, nuts, and orange zest flavor this easy quick bread, drizzled with a yummy orange glaze.

gluten free cranberry bread sliced and facing straight out on a cooling rack

Moist Gluten-Free Cranberry orange quick Bread

During the holiday months, I have to bake a loaf of Cranberry Bread as a nostalgic homage to one of my favorite books, Cranberry Thanksgiving.

The beautiful children’s story about Maggie, her Grandmother, and Mr. Whiskers includes the actual “secret” recipe for Grandmother’s famous cranberry bread. After being engrossed in the book and illustrations, it was hard to pass up the opportunity to make this legendary recipe right in our own home!

Now I make my own spin on it for my own kids, adapting it for a gluten-free recipe, loaded with fresh cranberries, orange zest, nuts, and drizzled with a sweet, orange glaze. It’s perfect for Christmas morning, as a homemade gift, or to make-ahead and freeze for holiday visitors!

cranberry orange loaf on a cooling rack with a close up of edge with frosting dripping down

Ingredient notes

If you love the sweet, tart flavor of fresh cranberries in this Cranberry Orange Bread recipe, check out other seasonal favorites, such as Cranberry Jello, Roasted Cranberry Brie, and Sparkling Cranberry Cocktail.

Buttermilk – To make the recipe dairy-free lace 1 tablespoon white vinegar in a liquid measuring cup. Fill up with non-dairy milk to the 1 cup mark, and let sit for 5 minutes.
Butter – Or substitute plant-based butter sticks for a gluten-free dairy-free cranberry bread
Oranges – Zested and juiced for a bright orange flavor
Gluten-Free Flour – My preferred gluten-free flour blend is Cup4Cup, but see my best gluten-free flour guide for other brand comparisons.
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries – Preferred for best flavor and texture, but 1 cup dried cranberries my also used.
Nuts – Chopped Pecans or walnuts (optional)
Orange glaze – Freshly squeezed orange juice and powdered sugar

How To Make gluten free cranberry bread

This may be a recipe for gluten-free cranberry loaf, but once you bite into a moist, decadent slice, you’ll have a hard time believing it is in fact GF. The bread is light and fluffy, instead of dense and gummy, plus a breeze to whip up in a few simple steps!

First, whisk together the wet ingredients – buttermilk, cooled butter, orange zest, orange juice, egg, and vanilla extract.
Next, in a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients – gluten-free flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
Add liquid ingredients to the dry mixture and stir to combine until no flour pockets remain.
Stir in the chopped, fresh or frozen, cranberries with pecans or walnuts.
Pour the batter into a loaf pan, spread evenly and bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool slightly before mixing together powdered sugar and orange juice to drizzle on for the glaze frosting.

overhead shot of unsliced cranberry orange bread with a glaze drizzled on

frequently asked questions:

Can I substitute regular flour?

Yes. Regular all-purpose flour also works in this recipe. Generally, using gluten-free flour increases the baking time since moisture isn’t absorbed as readily. Therefore, start checking the bread about 10 minutes sooner if using regular flour.

Can I use frozen or dried cranberries?

Yes. If you want to make this bread when fresh cranberries aren’t available, look in your freezer section. Coarsely chop the cranberries and then add, still frozen, to the batter. Please note, substituting frozen cranberries increases the baking time.

To use dried cranberries, use 1 cup. For best results, soak them in 1/2 cup boiling water for 5 minutes to plump and hydrate them before draining and folding in batter.

Can I omit or substitute the nuts?

Yes. This recipe calls for 1/2 cup nuts, but they may be omitted if you aren’t a fan. I used walnuts, but pecans would also taste great.

What are some substitutions for buttermilk?

Although using buttermilk is preferred, if you find yourself without it or need a dairy-free recipe, here are easy substitutes.
1. Place 1 tablespoon white vinegar in a liquid measuring cup. Fill up with milk or non-dairy milk to the 1 cup mark. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes.
2. 3/4 cup plain yogurt mixed with 1/4 cup milk
3. 3/4 cup sour cream mixed with 1/4 cup milk

Can I bake gluten-free cranberry orange bread in a different sized loaf pan?

Yes. If you do not have an 8 1/2″ X 4 1/2 inch loaf pan, you may use a 9″X5 inch loaf pan, but the baking time will decrease. Start checking about 10 minutes sooner.

Alternatively, make mini loaves by filling 4 mini loaf pans. Bake at 350°F, but start checking bread after 40-45 minutes. Cranberry bread mini loaves make a perfect homemade holiday gift!

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step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!

More gluten-free quick breads

If you love to bake, check out more of the best gluten-free bread recipes, with easy tips and tricks included. Below are my favorite tried and true classics!

a slice of gluten free cranberry bread laying face up on a cooling rack

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