Description
Festive Christmas Bread is a soft, buttery holiday bread filled with raisins, dried cranberries, candied cherries, and warm citrus flavor. This easy Christmas bread recipe is perfect for holiday breakfast, festive brunch, edible gifts, or a cozy seasonal dessert.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped candied cherries
1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 tablespoon butter for greasing bowl and pan
2 tablespoons powdered sugar or simple glaze for finishing
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, stir together the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add the remaining sugar, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until well combined.
3. Gradually add the flour and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Knead in the raisins, dried cranberries, chopped candied cherries, and nuts until evenly distributed.
6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size.
7. Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf or round. Place it in a greased loaf pan or on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Cover and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
9. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
10. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
11. Cool the bread on a wire rack before dusting with powdered sugar or drizzling with glaze.
12. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For the softest texture, avoid adding too much extra flour while kneading.
Soak the dried fruit in warm water for 10 minutes, then pat dry, if you want an even plumper loaf.
Tent the bread loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes if the top browns too quickly.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Christmas bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 135mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 43mg