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Braided Festive Christmas Bread loaf with honey glaze and powdered sugar on a wooden board with cranberries and holiday greenery.

Festive Christmas Bread

This Festive Christmas Bread is soft, sweet, and filled with dried fruits, nuts, and warm holiday spices. A beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table that tastes as amazing as it looks!
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Bread, Dessert
Cuisine: European
Calories: 245
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet instant yeast about 2 1/4 tsp
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup milk warm (about 100°F / 38°C)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Filling & Add-ins
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Glaze
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tbsp milk to thin
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Stand Mixer
  • Loaf Pan
  • Wire Rack

Method
 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add melted butter, eggs, vanilla, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Mix until a soft dough forms, then gradually add the remaining flour as needed.
  3. Knead the dough for about 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  4. Punch down the dough and knead in cranberries, raisins, nuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly distributed.
  5. Shape the dough into a round or braided loaf and place it in a greased loaf pan or on a baking sheet. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
  7. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze. Drizzle over the cooled bread before serving.

Notes

This festive bread makes a wonderful gift or breakfast treat. Try adding candied orange peel or drizzling with white chocolate for an extra special touch!