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Festive Christmas Bread – A Cozy Holiday Baking Favorite!

Festive Christmas Bread – A Cozy Holiday Baking Favorite!
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Festive Christmas Bread is a cozy holiday baking favorite that fills your kitchen with warm spices, sweet dried fruits, and a hint of citrus. This delicious bread features a golden crust and a soft, spongy texture, making it perfect for holiday gatherings and sharing with loved ones. Its rich flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, combined with dried fruits, nuts, and citrus zest, bring the joyful spirit of the season to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Base

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spices and Flavorings

  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Add-ins

  • ¾ cup dried raisins
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup chopped dried apricots
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Warm the milk until comfortably warm to the touch, then stir in yeast and a pinch of sugar. Allow it to activate for 5-10 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, orange zest, and lemon zest. In a separate bowl, beat eggs and melted butter with brown sugar and vanilla extract. Gradually combine wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, adding the yeast mixture as you go, to form a smooth, slightly sticky dough.
  2. Knead and Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 8-10 minutes until elastic and smooth. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
  3. Add Fruits and Nuts: Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it. Fold in dried raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, and nuts evenly, taking care not to overwork the dough to maintain its softness.
  4. Shape and Final Rise: Shape the dough into a round loaf or place into a loaf pan as preferred. Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in the pan, cover again, and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed.
  5. Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and brush the top with melted butter for a shiny, aromatic finish.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs and butter for better dough texture and rise.
  • Do not rush the rising periods; proper rising ensures lighter texture and richer flavor.
  • Use freshly ground spices for best fragrance and taste.
  • Brushing the baked bread with butter keeps it moist and adds a beautiful shine.
  • To test doneness, insert a toothpick or tap the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow when fully baked.

Nutrition

Keywords: holiday bread, Christmas bread, festive bread, fruit and nut bread, spiced bread, cozy holiday baking, dried fruit bread

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