Festive Christmas Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Festive Christmas Bread is a warm, aromatic treat filled with cranberries and walnuts, perfect for the holiday season. Soft and slightly spiced, it brings a cozy, homemade touch to your festive table.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
2. Step 2: Add the sugar, softened butter, eggs, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the yeast mixture. Mix well to combine.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour, mixing and kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Step 4: Fold in the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts evenly throughout the dough.
5. Step 5: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. Step 6: Punch down the dough to release air, then shape it into a loaf.
7. Step 7: Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan, cover it again, and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes.
8. Step 8: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Step 9: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the dough along with the spices.
• Substitute walnuts with pecans for a slightly different nutty taste.
• If you prefer a sweeter bread, sprinkle a light sugar glaze over the cooled loaf before serving.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm slices in a toaster or oven for a few minutes until soft and fragrant.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast straight from the fridge?

It’s best to use active dry yeast at room temperature and dissolve it in warm milk as the recipe suggests to activate it properly.

Can I substitute dried cranberries with another fruit?

Yes, dried cherries or raisins work well as alternatives and will complement the spices in the bread.

Festive Christmas Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 111 reviews

Festive Christmas Bread is a warm, spiced loaf filled with dried cranberries and walnuts, perfect for holiday celebrations. This soft and aromatic bread combines cinnamon and nutmeg for a cozy flavor, making it an ideal treat to share around the festive season.

• Author: Natalie
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine the warm milk with the active dry yeast and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the sugar, softened butter, eggs, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the yeast mixture. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully integrated.
3. Add Flour and Knead: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, which should take about 8-10 minutes.
4. Incorporate Cranberries and Walnuts: Fold in the dried cranberries and chopped walnuts evenly throughout the dough for a festive touch.
5. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
6. Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release the air, then shape it into a loaf form.
7. Second Rise: Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan, cover it, and allow it to rise for an additional 30 minutes until it puffs up again.
8. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• For a richer flavor, you can brush the top of the loaf with melted butter right after baking.
• Store the bread in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to 3 days.
• This bread can also be frozen for up to one month; slice before freezing for easy thawing.
• Optional: Add orange zest to the dough for an extra festive citrus flavor.

Keywords: Festive Bread, Christmas Bread, Holiday Bread, Spiced Bread, Cranberry Walnut Bread, Yeast Bread, Homemade Bread