Description
Festive Christmas Bread is a cozy holiday loaf that is soft, lightly sweet, and perfumed with warm spices, perfect for breakfasts, brunches, or holiday desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- ¼ cup warm water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup golden raisins or dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add eggs and butter to the yeast mixture, then pour into the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead for 6–8 minutes on a floured surface until smooth and elastic. Add raisins or cranberries and nuts during the last minute of kneading.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf or braid.
- Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and let rise again for 15–20 minutes.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can shape the dough into a round loaf or a braided loaf.
- Include optional chopped nuts for extra crunch.
- Let the dough rise until doubled for best texture.
- Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for a festive touch.
- Enjoy warm with butter or cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Yeast dough, round/braided loaf
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8 loaf)
- Calories: Not provided
- Sugar: Not provided
- Sodium: Not provided
- Fat: Not provided
- Saturated Fat: Not provided
- Unsaturated Fat: Not provided
- Trans Fat: Not provided
- Carbohydrates: Not provided
- Fiber: Not provided
- Protein: Not provided
- Cholesterol: Not provided
Keywords: Festive Christmas Bread, holiday bread, cinnamon raisin loaf, yeast bread, Christmas loaf