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- 4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast - ½ cup sugar - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C) - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted - 3 large eggs - 1 cup mixed dried fruits (cranberries, apricots, and raisins) - Zest of 1 orange - ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) - 1 egg (for egg wash) You can change some ingredients if needed. Use whole wheat flour for a healthier option. Almond milk works great as a milk substitute. If you want less sugar, reduce it to ¼ cup. For a nut-free version, skip the nuts or use seeds. You can also swap mixed dried fruits with chocolate chips for a sweet twist. Each ingredient plays a key role in making this bread special. Flour provides the structure. Yeast helps the bread rise, making it light and fluffy. Sugar adds sweetness and helps with browning. Cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth and spice, perfect for the holidays. Eggs give richness and color. Dried fruits bring chewiness and a burst of flavor. Nuts add crunch and healthy fats, while orange zest brightens the flavor. All these ingredients together create a delightful holiday treat. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by dissolving the yeast in warm milk. Use one teaspoon of sugar to help activate the yeast. Let the mixture sit for five minutes. You want it to become frothy. This shows the yeast is alive and ready to work. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir them well. In another bowl, whisk the melted butter and eggs together. Add the frothy yeast mixture to this bowl. Then, mix in the orange zest. Combine everything until it’s smooth. Gradually add the wet mix to the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix until a dough forms. Next, fold in the mixed dried fruits and chopped nuts. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about eight to ten minutes. It should feel smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for one to one and a half hours, or until it doubles in size. After the dough has risen, punch it down gently. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make a shallow cross incision on the top with a sharp knife. Cover it and let it rise for another 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the loaf with beaten egg for a nice, golden finish. Bake it for 25 to 30 minutes. The bread should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. To get the right dough texture, start with the right flour. I recommend using all-purpose flour. It gives the bread a nice blend of fluffiness and strength. Mix your dry ingredients well before adding wet ones. This helps the yeast grow evenly. When you knead, use your hands to fold and push the dough. Knead it for 8 to 10 minutes. You want it smooth and elastic. If the dough feels sticky, add a bit more flour, but don’t overdo it! For even baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before you place the bread inside. This helps the bread rise nicely. When shaping the loaf, try to make it even. A round shape bakes uniformly. Place the loaf in the center of the oven. This allows hot air to circulate around it. Check the bread around 25 minutes. If it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped, it’s done! One common mistake is not giving the dough enough time to rise. Always let it double in size. If it doesn’t rise enough, your bread will be dense. Also, avoid adding too much flour while kneading. This can make the bread tough. Lastly, remember to let the bread cool for about 15 minutes before slicing. Cutting too soon makes it gummy. Enjoy your festive bread! Pro Tips Proofing the Yeast: Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast. The perfect temperature is around 110°F (43°C). Enhancing Flavor: For a more aromatic bread, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cardamom along with the cinnamon and nutmeg. Kneading Technique: Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic. This develops the gluten, which gives the bread its structure. Storage Tips: To keep the bread fresh, store it in an airtight container or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for longer storage. {{image_2}} You can make a gluten-free version of this bread. Use gluten-free flour blends instead of all-purpose flour. Look for blends that include xanthan gum. This ingredient helps mimic the structure of gluten. You may need to adjust the liquid. Start with less milk, then add more if needed. This will help create the right dough texture. To make this bread vegan, swap out the eggs and butter. Use flaxseed meal mixed with water as an egg replacer. For each egg, mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it thickens. Replace butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter. Use almond milk instead of regular milk. These changes keep the bread tasty and festive. You can be creative with flavors and add-ins. Try different dried fruits like figs or cherries for a unique twist. Add spices like ginger or cardamom for extra warmth. You can also mix in chocolate chips or orange peel for a sweet touch. Nuts like hazelnuts or pistachios add crunch and flavor. Experimenting with these options makes your festive Christmas bread special and fun! To keep your Festive Christmas Bread fresh, store it properly. Once cool, wrap the bread in plastic wrap or foil. This helps to lock in moisture. You can also place it in an airtight container. Keep it at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to enjoy it longer, freezing is a great option. Freezing your bread is simple. First, let the bread cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. For extra protection, place the wrapped bread in a freezer bag. Label the bag with the date. Your bread can last up to three months in the freezer. When you are ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. To reheat your bread, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the bread from its wrapping. Place it on a baking sheet. Heat it for about 10-15 minutes. This warms the bread and brings back its soft texture. If you prefer, you can also slice the bread and toast it. Enjoy your warm, festive treat! Festive Christmas Bread lasts about 3-5 days at room temperature. Keep it in an airtight container. This helps keep it fresh and soft. If you want to enjoy it longer, consider freezing it. Frozen bread stays good for about 2-3 months. Just wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil. Yes, you can make this bread ahead of time. Prepare the dough and let it rise. After the first rise, punch it down and shape it into a loaf. You can put it in the fridge overnight. Take it out in the morning, let it rise again, and bake it. This way, you have fresh bread for your holiday meal. The best way to serve Festive Christmas Bread is warm, fresh from the oven. Slice it into thick pieces. You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top for a festive look. Serve it with butter or cream cheese on the side. For a fun touch, add some holiday decorations around the bread. This makes it more festive for your guests. This blog post covered all you need for making Festive Christmas Bread. We explored key ingredients and their benefits, plus how to prepare and bake the dough. I shared tips to get your bread texture just right and avoid common mistakes. You also learned about gluten-free and vegan options, plus fun flavor variations. Lastly, I provided storage tips to keep your bread fresh. With this guide, you can bake delicious bread that everyone will enjoy! Happy baking!

Festive Christmas Bread

A delightful bread filled with mixed dried fruits and spices, perfect for the holiday season.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 0.5 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup mixed dried fruits (cranberries, apricots, and raisins)
  • 1 zest orange
  • 0.5 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
  • 1 egg for egg wash

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until frothy.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter and eggs. Add the frothy yeast mixture to this bowl, followed by the orange zest. Stir until combined.
  • Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until a dough forms.
  • Fold in the mixed dried fruits and chopped nuts until evenly distributed in the dough.
  • Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
  • Once risen, punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Make a shallow cross incision on the top of the loaf using a sharp knife. Cover it again and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Brush the top of the loaf with beaten egg for a golden finish.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  • Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Serve warm with powdered sugar and butter or cream cheese. Add festive decorations for presentation.
Keyword bread, Christmas, dessert, holiday