Festive Christmas Bread
Highlighted under: Seasonal & Festive
Create a warm and inviting atmosphere this holiday season with our delightful Festive Christmas Bread. This easy-to-follow recipe combines rich flavors and festive spices, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or toasted for breakfast, this cozy treat is sure to bring holiday cheer to your gatherings.
This Festive Christmas Bread recipe brings warmth and joy to any holiday gathering. The blend of spices and rich flavors makes it a beloved treat.
Perfect for Any Holiday Gathering
This Festive Christmas Bread is an excellent choice for any holiday gathering. Its warm, inviting aroma fills the air, evoking memories of family traditions and cozy evenings spent together. Whether it's a festive dinner, a holiday brunch, or just a casual get-together, this bread serves as a perfect centerpiece. With its rich flavors and delightful spices, it's not just food; it's a joyful experience to share with loved ones.
The unique blend of spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, creates a wonderful flavor profile that complements a variety of holiday dishes. Pair this bread with your favorite spreads, like butter, cream cheese, or even a dollop of cranberry sauce, for an extra touch of holiday cheer. It’s sure to be a hit among both children and adults alike.
Made with Love and Care
Baking is often seen as an act of love, and this Festive Christmas Bread is no exception. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it's a wonderful way to introduce the joy of baking to younger generations. Engaging family members in the process of measuring, mixing, and shaping the dough creates lasting memories and teaches timeless skills.
As you prepare this festive treat, take the time to enjoy the sensory experiences of baking. Notice the warm scents of spices filling your kitchen and the tactile enjoyment of kneading the dough by hand. Sharing these moments with family makes this bread even more special as it isn’t just a recipe; it’s a treasured tradition passed down through the seasons.
A Versatile Recipe
One of the best aspects of this Festive Christmas Bread is its versatility. You can easily customize the ingredients to suit your taste or dietary preferences. If you're looking for a healthier alternative, consider substituting some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or adding more nuts for extra crunch and nutrition. It’s a great way to experiment with flavors while maintaining the core essence of this delightful bread.
This recipe can also be adapted for different occasions. Try adding seasonal spices like ginger or cloves for a unique twist or incorporate a variety of dried fruits to create a brand new flavor combination. Regardless of how you choose to personalize it, this bread allows for creativity and is sure to impress your guests. Everyone will be asking for your secret recipe!
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (like raisins and cranberries)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and spices to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add in the flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms.
Knead and Rise
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shape and Bake
- Punch down the risen dough and knead in the dried fruit and nuts if using.
- Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased bread pan.
- Cover the pan and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool and Serve
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Success
To ensure that your Festive Christmas Bread turns out perfectly, consider measuring your ingredients accurately. Use a kitchen scale for the flour, as this can make a significant difference in texture. Additionally, let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free environment for best results. You can achieve this by placing it in an oven that’s turned off, or covered with a kitchen towel.
Don’t rush the rising process. Allow the dough the necessary time to double in size, as this directly impacts the fluffiness of the final product. If you’re short on time, a slightly warmer environment can speed up the process, but be careful not to overheat the dough.
Serving Suggestions
Once your Festive Christmas Bread has cooled, slice it thickly and consider serving it warm with a pat of butter or a spread of your choice. For a special breakfast treat, toast individual slices and serve them alongside marmalade or seasonal fruit preserves. This versatile bread can also be transformed into delightful French toast—a perfect way to enjoy leftovers!
Pair your bread with a hot cup of cocoa, mulled cider, or your favorite holiday beverage. Create a festive atmosphere by decorating your table with holiday-themed centerpieces that complement the warm, cozy vibe of your baked bread. These small touches can elevate your gathering into a truly memorable occasion.
Questions About Recipes
→ Can I make this bread ahead of time?
Yes, the bread can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.
→ How do I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container at room temperature.
Festive Christmas Bread
Create a warm and inviting atmosphere this holiday season with our delightful Festive Christmas Bread. This easy-to-follow recipe combines rich flavors and festive spices, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or toasted for breakfast, this cozy treat is sure to bring holiday cheer to your gatherings.
Created by: Ruby Lawson
Recipe Type: Seasonal & Festive
Skill Level: Easy
Final Quantity: 1 loaf
What You'll Need
For the Bread
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (like raisins and cranberries)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
How-To Steps
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and spices to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add in the flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the risen dough and knead in the dried fruit and nuts if using.
- Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased bread pan.
- Cover the pan and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 35g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 4g