Description
This Festive Christmas Bread is soft, slightly sweet, and beautifully studded with dried fruits and warm holiday spices. Perfect for Christmas morning breakfast, gifting, or enjoying with a warm cup of tea!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, apricots)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- Optional topping: powdered sugar, icing drizzle
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, remaining sugar, egg, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Stir in the flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix into a soft dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Fold in the dried fruits and nuts until evenly distributed.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled.
- Punch down dough and shape into a round loaf or braid.
- Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing if desired.
Notes
This bread stays soft for up to 3 days and freezes beautifully. Swap dried fruit for chocolate chips for a kid-friendly version, or add orange zest for extra holiday flavor!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Christmas
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: christmas bread, festive bread, holiday baking, sweet bread, dried fruit bread, christmas morning breakfast