Christmas Bread Recipe
Christmas Bread Recipe
Table of Contents
Christmas Bread Recipe
This Christmas Bread Recipe is a delightful, festive bread perfect for your holiday season. It’s soft, fluffy, and subtly spiced, making it the ideal addition to your Christmas breakfast or dessert table. This recipe is easy to follow and yields a beautiful loaf that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holidays.
Description
Nothing says Christmas like the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen. This Christmas Bread Recipe combines the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom with the sweetness of dried fruit, making it a truly festive loaf. Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a special addition to your Christmas dessert spread, this bread is a crowd pleaser. The dough is rich and slightly sweetened, providing the perfect base for a blend of aromatic spices and plump dried fruit such as raisins and currants. Whether served warm out of the oven or toasted with a smear of butter, this bread will be a hit at your holiday celebrations.
This Christmas Bread Recipe is a breeze to make and doesn’t require any complicated techniques. You’ll begin by activating the yeast and mixing the dough with all of the seasonal spices and ingredients. Once the dough rises and is shaped into a loaf, it’s baked until golden brown, filling your home with irresistible scents. Not only does this bread taste delicious, but its golden, slightly cracked exterior is beautiful and will add a festive touch to your holiday table.
If you’re looking to elevate this Christmas Bread Recipe, consider adding a sweet glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, or dust it with a sprinkle of powdered sugar once it cools. The sweetness pairs wonderfully with the savory notes of the bread. Additionally, this recipe is versatile enough that you can easily swap in your favorite dried fruits, nuts, or even chocolate chips for a unique twist.
This Christmas Bread Recipe makes an excellent gift when wrapped in festive paper and tied with a ribbon. It’s a thoughtful and delicious way to spread holiday cheer. The rich, aromatic flavors will transport your taste buds to a cozy winter wonderland. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas morning with a warm slice or sharing it with loved ones, this bread is bound to become a holiday favorite.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, and chopped dried apricots)
- 1/4 cup candied orange peel (optional)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
- For the Topping:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add a little flour as necessary if the dough is too sticky.
- Add Dried Fruit and Zest: Gently fold in the dried fruit, candied orange peel, and orange zest, if using.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan with a towel and let it rise for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the dough has risen slightly above the rim of the pan.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the Bread: Brush the top of the loaf with the beaten egg for a golden finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve.
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Christmas Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk about 110°F
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit raisins, currants, and chopped dried apricots
- 1/4 cup candied orange peel optional
- 1 tablespoon orange zest optional
- For the Topping:
- 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting optional
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add a little flour as necessary if the dough is too sticky.
- Add Dried Fruit and Zest: Gently fold in the dried fruit, candied orange peel, and orange zest, if using.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan with a towel and let it rise for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the dough has risen slightly above the rim of the pan.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the Bread: Brush the top of the loaf with the beaten egg for a golden finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Storage: This Christmas Bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Variations: You can experiment with different dried fruits like cranberries or raisins, or add a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Glaze Option: For a sweeter version, drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk over the cooled bread.
