Description
Festive Christmas Bread is a golden, soft, and beautifully spiced loaf that makes the holidays shine. This easy, three-step bread is studded with dried fruit and a comforting vanilla-cinnamon aroma, ideal for breakfast, gifting, or serving warm with butter on Christmas morning. The fluffy crumb and gentle sweetness bring cozy cheer to every slice, while a quick vanilla glaze adds a festive finish—make ahead and slice for gifts or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup mixed dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots)
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped nuts or candied peel
- Glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic (add a bit more flour if sticky).
- Gently fold in dried fruits and nuts if using.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled.
- Punch down dough and shape into a loaf or braid. Place in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan or on a baking sheet.
- Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Whisk glaze ingredients together and drizzle over warm bread.
Notes
- You can vary dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots work well.
- Optional: add ¼ cup chopped nuts or candied peel for extra texture.
- If the dough is sticky, sprinkle in a little flour as you knead.
- Let dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot for best volume.
- Glaze is optional; adjust milk for a thicker or thinner finish.
- For a festive touch, braid the dough before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 loaf)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Festive Christmas Bread, Christmas bread, holiday bread, spiced fruit bread, easy bread recipe, vanilla glaze, dried fruit loaf, Christmas morning bread