Gluten-free orange cardamom bread topped with a zesty orange cardamom icing is the perfect loaf to serve this holiday season!

gluten free orange cardamom bread with a sliced removed reveal a soft moist interior

Over the last few years, cardamom has slowly become one of my favorite baking spices to use. I love its citrusy floral flavor which pairs well with orange, lemon, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Perfect for the holidays! This gluten-free bread has a soft cake-like texture and zesty orange cardamom flavor, drizzled with a sweet orange glaze. You can serve this bread for brunch, dessert, or give it out as holiday gifts. For a healthy breakfast option I will leave off the glaze, but for dessert, it's a must-have!

three gluten free orange cardamom bread slices stacked on each other. Orange flavored icing can be seen on the top of each slice.

Gluten-Free Orange Cardamom Ingredients

This gluten-free orange cardamom bread is super easy to make and perfect served any time of year. Add this to your holiday or brunch recipes!

Gluten-Free Flour: My favorite gluten-free flour mixture to use is Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 gluten-free flour blend.
Almond Flour: Almond flour which is simply ground almonds, is the secret ingredient to most of my bread recipes. It helps provide moisture and gives the bread that cake-like texture.
Eggs: Two large eggs at room temperature are the ingredients in this recipe. For a vegan option, try using 2 flax eggs instead or another egg replacer.
Sugar: White cane sugar gives this bread the perfect amount of sweetness. For a refined sugar-free option, try using ½ cup of maple syrup or coconut sugar, but watch the baking time around 35-45 minutes, when using liquid sweeteners.
Yogurt: I love using Kite Hill almond milk yogurt, but any plain yogurt will work.
Oil: A neutral-tasting oil such as refined coconut oil gives this bread the best flavor, but you could also use melted unsalted butter.
Orange Juice/Zest: Fresh orange zest from a whole orange, and fresh orange juice are recommended for this recipe.
Vanilla Extract: Use a high-quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Ground Cardamom: This recipe calls for two teaspoons of ground cardamom, which I think is the perfect amount. Start with one teaspoon of ground cardamom at a time and adjust to your liking. Remember, the finished product will bake out some of the spice.
Baking Powder/Baking Soda: This combination helps lift the bread.
Salt: Salt helps bring out the sweetness in the bread.

Orange Cardamom Glaze

This orange cardamom gluten free glaze is full of flavor and zest, perfect for this bread! You can always leave off the glaze for a healthier option.

Powdered Sugar: This icing sugar also known and confectioners sugar is the base of the glaze.
Fresh Orange Juice/Zest: The orange zest is what gives this icing and bread the right amount of orange flavor without having to use an orange extract.
Vanilla Extract: The vanilla extract creates a creamier orange flavor.
Cardamom: There's just a pinch (⅛th teaspoon ground cardamom) in the glaze, a little bit goes a long way. Adjust to your liking.

a view of the soft moist texture of a slice of bread

How to Make Gluten-Free Orange Cardamom Bread

This is a great recipe to use as a holiday gift option. Divide batter into 6 mini loaf pans and bake for 25-30 minutes!

Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a 9×5 or 8x4 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl or Kitchen Aid mixer, add the two large eggs and beat until frothy, around 1-2 minutes.
Add the remaining wet ingredients: sugar, yogurt, melted coconut oil, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. At medium speed, mix everything for 30 seconds.
At low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients: gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, and salt. Mix until well combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean from the center. The top of the loaf will be a nice golden brown color.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the bread from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool for 2 hours. (Allow the bread to completely cool to room temperature before adding the glaze).
For the glaze, whisk together the ingredients in a small bowl, then carefully pour or spoon the glaze over the top of the cake-like bread.
Store the bread in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil at room temperature for up to 3 days. The bread becomes moister and more flavorful over time.

gluten free orange cardamom bread slice on a white decorative plate. A silver fork and a cup of coffee are next to the plate.

Can You Freeze This Bread?

Yes, you can freeze this bread for up to two months. Once the bread is completely cooled, wrap the un-glazed loaf in plastic wrap, and then again in aluminum foil. Store in a resealable freezer bag. Remove the bread from the freezer 24 hours before serving.

Can You Make Orange Cardamom Bread Dairy-Free or Vegan?

This bread is gluten-free but for special diets such as vegan or dairy-free, try using a non-dairy yogurt, oil or vegan melted butter (such as Earth Balance sticks), and two flax eggs or egg replacements.

Gluten-Free Orange Cardamom Bread

Gluten-Free Orange Cardamom Ingredients

Orange Cardamom Glaze

How to Make Gluten-Free Orange Cardamom Bread

Can You Freeze This Bread?

Can You Make Orange Cardamom Bread Dairy-Free or Vegan?

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