Festive Christmas Bread: A Warm, Sweet Tradition for the Holidays

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Festive Christmas Bread is soft, buttery, and infused with warm holiday flavors. It’s a recipe that looks impressive but doesn’t require hours of effort. The bread is versatile too—you can make it as a loaf, braid it, or bake it in a ring shape for an elegant presentation. It pairs perfectly with butter, cream cheese, or even a drizzle of icing. Ideal for gifting, brunches, or Christmas morning breakfast, this bread captures the essence of festive indulgence in every slice.

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Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-Purpose Flour – Provides the perfect structure and softness for the bread. Make sure to measure it properly for the ideal texture.

Active Dry Yeast – The key to achieving that light, fluffy rise. Always check that your yeast is fresh and active for the best results.

Milk – Warm milk adds richness and helps activate the yeast while creating a tender crumb. I’ve also tried using almond milk, and it worked great.

Unsalted Butter – Brings buttery flavor and softness to the dough. Melted butter also makes the crust beautifully golden.

Sugar – Adds just enough sweetness to complement the dried fruits and balance the spices.

Eggs – Help bind the dough and contribute to a soft, rich texture.

Salt – Enhances the flavor of the dough and balances the sweetness.

Dried Fruits – The heart of this bread. A mix of raisins, cranberries, and chopped apricots gives bursts of fruity sweetness in every bite.

Candied Orange Peel – Adds a subtle citrus note that pairs beautifully with the warm spices.

Cinnamon and Nutmeg – Essential for that classic holiday aroma and depth of flavor.

Vanilla Extract – Adds a warm, sweet fragrance that ties everything together.

Powdered Sugar (optional) – For dusting or making a light glaze to finish the bread beautifully.

Directions

Begin by warming the milk until it’s just lukewarm—not hot. Stir in the yeast and a teaspoon of sugar, then let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract, then pour in the activated yeast mixture. Mix until the dough begins to form.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Gently fold in the dried fruits and candied peel. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Once risen, punch down the dough and shape it as desired—a braid, round loaf, or festive ring. Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover lightly, and let it rise again for 30–40 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the top with melted butter or a beaten egg for a shiny finish, then bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Allow the bread to cool before dusting with powdered sugar or drizzling with glaze.

Essential Equipment

Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
• large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
• Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
• Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
• Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
• 9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
• knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
• Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes one large loaf or two smaller ones, serving 8–10 people.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Rise time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Bake time: 30 minutes
Total time: About 2 hours 20 minutes

Storage/reheating

Wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm slices in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes or toast lightly before serving. If you’ve glazed it, reheat gently to avoid melting the glaze.

Variations and Customizations

Chocolate Chip Twist – Replace half of the dried fruit with dark or milk chocolate chips for a dessert-like version.

Nutty Delight – Add chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans for a satisfying crunch.

Spiced Cranberry Loaf – Focus on dried cranberries and add orange zest for a tangy, festive touch.

Glazed Christmas Bread – Drizzle a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk over the top once cooled.

Brioche-Style Bread – Add an extra egg yolk and a tablespoon of cream for an even richer texture.

Coconut Holiday Bread – Mix in shredded coconut and top with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical flair.

Mini Gift Loaves – Divide the dough into smaller portions and bake in mini loaf pans—perfect for holiday gifting.

Gingerbread Version – Add ground ginger and a touch of molasses for that classic gingerbread flavor.

Citrus Lovers’ Bread – Use lemon and orange zest to brighten the flavor profile.

Frosted Almond Bread – Top with slivered almonds and a light vanilla glaze for a beautiful presentation.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute equal amounts and skip the proofing step—just mix it directly into the flour.

Can I make this bread without eggs?

Yes, replace each egg with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce for a similar texture.

What’s the best way to know the dough is kneaded enough?

It should feel smooth, elastic, and bounce back when pressed gently with your finger.

Can I add fresh fruit instead of dried?

Dried fruit is preferred, but you can use finely chopped fresh fruit—just reduce the liquid slightly.

Can I make this dough the night before?

Yes, let it rise in the refrigerator overnight, then bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.

What if I don’t have candied peel?

You can omit it or replace it with extra dried fruit or orange zest.

Can I bake this in a bundt pan?

Absolutely—it makes for a stunning holiday presentation. Just grease the pan well.

How do I prevent the fruit from sinking to the bottom?

Toss the dried fruit in a tablespoon of flour before folding it into the dough.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for yeast baking.

How do I serve this bread?

It’s delicious on its own, with butter, or slightly toasted with honey or jam.

Conclusion

This Festive Christmas Bread is a true celebration of flavor and tradition. Its sweet aroma, tender crumb, and beautiful presentation make it the perfect addition to your holiday table. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or shared as a thoughtful homemade gift, it captures the warmth and joy of the season in every slice. Once you bake it, it’s sure to become a treasured Christmas tradition in your home.

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