Step 4: Add the Eggs and Flavorings

To the butter mixture:

• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
• Mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice.

The aroma alone will start to smell like Christmas morning.

Step 5: Add Sour Cream and Milk

Stir in the sour cream (or yogurt) and milk.
These add moisture and help balance the tartness of the cranberries.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.

• Mix gently just until combined—overmixing creates a dense loaf.
• Fold in the floured cranberries with a spatula.

Your batter should now be thick, creamy, and studded with ruby-red cranberries.

Step 7: Bake the Loaf

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
• Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top.

Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil half-way through.

Step 8: Cool Before Glazing

Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a rack.
Cooling is essential—glazing too soon will cause it to slide right off.

Step 9: Make the Optional Orange Glaze

Whisk together:

• Powdered sugar
• Orange juice
• Optional extra zest

Drizzle generously over the cooled loaf for shine and extra citrus sweetness.

Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Loaf

• Use fresh cranberries for the brightest pop of tartness—but frozen work, too! Don’t thaw.
• Fold gently to avoid crushing berries and bleeding color.
• Try variations like adding white chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or swapping orange for lemon.
• Wrap overnight for deeper flavor—this loaf gets even better the next day.

Serving Suggestions

• Warm with a pat of butter
• With tea, coffee, or hot cocoa
• Sliced and toasted lightly
• Packed into lunchboxes for a festive treat
• As part of a Christmas breakfast board

Final Thoughts

The Christmas Cranberry Loaf is more than just a holiday recipe—it’s a nostalgic, homemade tradition packed into a beautiful slice of winter flavor. With its bright colors, citrus fragrance, and delightful balance of sweet and tart, it’s a bake you’ll want to enjoy all season long.

If you’d like, I can also write:
🎄 A shorter recipe card
🎁 A printable version
🍞 A variation like cranberry-orange muffins or cranberry bread pudding

Just let me know!