Lemon Cranberry Bread

This lemon cranberry bread is a bright, citrusy quick bread, chock full of tart, tangy dried cranberries, and finished off with a lemon-cream cheese icing. It's a tasty treat perfect for any occasion.

loaf of cranberry lemon bread with glaze sliced to show interior
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
50 mins
Cool Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 40 mins
Servings:
10
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 10 servings

Bread

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • 3/4 cup buttermilk

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil

  • 2 extra large eggs

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest (from about 3 medium lemons)

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for coating cranberries

  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Icing

  • 1 ounce full fat cream cheese, softened

  • 1 cup confectioners sugar

  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons milk, or as needed

  • 1 pinch salt

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously butter an 8-1/2x4-1/2-inch loaf pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper.

  2. For bread, whisk together sugar, buttermilk, oil, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and vanilla in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Add in 2 cups flour, baking powder, and baking soda and mix until incorporated.

  3. Toss cranberries with about 1 1/2 teaspoons flour in a small bowl until coated. Fold cranberries into batter. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

  4. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out with just a few moist crumbs, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool bread in the pan for 20 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

  5. For icing, beat cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, lemon juice, milk, and pinch of salt together in a bowl with an electric mixer until fully smooth and combined. Add more milk if needed for thinner icing, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Spread glaze evenly over the top of cooled loaf.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

395 Calories
14g Fat
65g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Calories 395
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 51mg 17%
Sodium 282mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 65g 24%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 44g
Protein 5g 10%
Vitamin C 3mg 4%
Calcium 60mg 5%
Iron 2mg 8%
Potassium 92mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.