Festive Christmas Bread

Tired of the same old fruitcake or dry holiday loaves? Festive Christmas Bread offers a soft, flavorful, and beautiful alternative perfect for bringing warmth and joy to your holiday table.

At dishfoody.com, creating recipes that celebrate tradition while enhancing ease and flavor is a mission. This festive bread combines fresh spices, nuts, dried fruit, and a golden crust for a treat that tastes as good as it looks.

Whether you’re baking for family or gifting neighbors, this recipe provides detailed steps, ingredient tips, and delicious variations.

Why This Festive Christmas Bread Recipe Works

• Combines warm spices, sweet dried fruits, and crunchy nuts for multidimensional flavor.
• Uses pantry staples and simple techniques for easy preparation.
• Perfectly moist yet sturdy texture ideal for slicing and sharing.

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Festive Christmas Bread

Best Cuts for This Recipe

Choose fresh flour (bread or all-purpose) for softness, fresh dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, candied peel) for vibrant bursts, and quality nuts like walnuts or pecans.

Buying Tips

Select dried fruits with bright color and soft texture; check for freshness. For spices, prefer whole or freshly ground for best aroma.

Substitutions

Use gluten-free flour blends and dairy replacements to accommodate dietary needs. Nut-free versions work well when seeds or additional dried fruit replace nuts.

Ingredients & Prep for Festive Christmas Bread

Essential Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tablespoon instant yeast
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, candied oranges)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted

Prep Steps

Bloom yeast in warm milk. Toast nuts lightly for enhanced flavor. Chop dried fruit as needed.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Festive Christmas Bread

Pre-Cooking Prep for Festive Christmas Bread

Mix dry ingredients and combine wet ingredients separately before uniting. Fold in fruit and nuts last.

Cooking Method for Festive Christmas Bread

1. Knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 8–10 minutes by hand or mixer.
2. Let rise, covered, in a warm spot until doubled, 1 to 1.5 hours.
3. Punch down, shape into loaf, and place in greased pan or form decorative shapes for a stunning presentation.
4. Allow a second rise until doubled, about 30–45 minutes.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes or until golden with a hollow sound when tapped.
6. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Doneness Check for Festive Christmas Bread

Golden brown crust with a moist, tender crumb inside that supports slicing without crumbling.

Resting for Festive Christmas Bread

Cool fully to finish baking inside and firm up the texture.

Pro Tips for Perfect Festive Christmas Bread

• Soak dried fruit in warm water or orange juice to keep it plump and juicy.
• Use a kitchen thermometer; bread is done at 190°F–200°F internal temp.
• Optional glaze with powdered sugar and orange juice gives a festive sparkle.

Flavor Variations for Festive Christmas Bread

Spicy Twist

Add cloves or allspice for deeper complexity.

Keto/Paleo

Use almond flour and sugar substitutes; boost with grated apple or pear.

Global Flavors

• Italian panettone style: add citrus zest and rum-soaked raisins.
• German stollen style: fold in marzipan and powdered sugar dusting.
• Scandinavian pulla bread: sweet cardamom twist and pearl sugar topping.

Serving Suggestions for Festive Christmas Bread

Serve sliced with butter and spiced tea or mulled wine. Great for gift baskets or holiday brunch spreads. Toast leftovers for breakfast or use in bread pudding.

FAQs for Festive Christmas Bread

Can I freeze the bread?
Yes, slice and freeze with wrap, thaw as needed.

What if my bread doesn’t rise?
Check yeast freshness and ensure warm rising environment.

Is this safe for kids and pregnant women?
Yes, avoid alcohol in soaking liquids if preferred.

Conclusion

Festive Christmas Bread provides a tender, flavorful, and beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table, effortless enough for beginners but impressive enough for seasoned bakers. Explore more festive favorites at dishfoody.com, and try our Banana Bread Oatmeal next for cozy, sweet mornings.

Festive Christmas Bread

Print Recipe

This Festive Christmas Bread is a soft, buttery, and lightly sweet holiday loaf filled with warm spices, candied fruit, and a touch of citrus zest. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or gifting during the holidays!

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Yield: 1 loaf (8 servings) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: European
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
• 1/2 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1/2 cup mixed candied fruit or dried fruit (chopped)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

• 1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
• 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest.
• 3. Add butter, eggs, vanilla, and the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
• 4. Knead for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
• 5. Gently knead in candied fruit and nuts.
• 6. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled.
• 7. Punch down the dough, shape into a round or braided loaf, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• 8. Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
• 9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.
• 10. Brush warm bread with melted butter and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

• You can substitute candied fruit with raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped apricots.
• For a festive touch, drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
• Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: festive christmas bread, holiday loaf, sweet bread, candied fruit bread