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Festive Christmas Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/festive-christmas-bread-recipe/