Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Delicious Christmas Bread is everything a holiday loaf should be—soft, lightly sweet, filled with warm spices, and beautifully festive. Whether served at breakfast, enjoyed as an afternoon treat with tea, or given as a homemade gift, this bread brings all the comforting aromas and flavors of the season. It features a tender crumb enriched with butter and milk, highlighted by cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and optional dried fruits or citrus zest. I once brushed the warm loaf with a touch of melted butter and sprinkled coarse sugar on top, and it added the most delightful sparkle and texture without making the bread overly sweet. This recipe is easy enough for casual bakers but impressive enough for holiday gatherings, with flavors that feel celebratory and nostalgic. If you love cozy, seasonal baking that fills the house with charm, this Christmas bread is sure to become a tradition.
Delicious Christmas Bread Recipe: A Soft, Festive Loaf Filled with Warm Holiday Flavor
- Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A soft, sweet, festive Christmas bread filled with warm spices, dried fruit, and citrus, perfect for holiday breakfasts or gifting.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Add warm milk, warm water, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead dough for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Add orange zest, dried cranberries, raisins, and nuts; knead until evenly incorporated.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Punch dough down and shape into a round loaf or braid. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cover and let rise for another 30–40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brush loaf with melted butter and bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
- Cool before slicing; serve plain or with butter.
Notes
- Add chocolate chips or candied orange peel for extra sweetness.
- Use bread flour for a chewier texture.
- Excellent for toasting the next day.
- Freeze leftover slices for easy reheating.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour
Flour provides the structure and softness needed for a tender holiday loaf.
Active dry yeast
Yeast gives the bread its lift, producing a fluffy, light crumb.
Warm milk
Milk enriches the dough, making it soft, moist, and slightly sweet.
Butter
Butter adds richness and enhances the bread’s tender texture.
Sugar
Sugar sweetens the dough gently and helps the yeast activate properly.
Eggs
Eggs provide richness and help bind the dough.
Salt
Salt balances sweetness and strengthens flavor.
Cinnamon
A warming spice that brings signature holiday aroma and flavor.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg adds depth and seasonal warmth to complement the cinnamon.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla rounds out the bread with a fragrant, comforting finish.
Dried fruit or candied cherries (optional)
These add festive pops of flavor and color throughout the loaf.
Orange zest (optional)
A bright, citrusy addition that pairs beautifully with the spices.
Directions
Begin by warming the milk until just slightly warm to the touch. Add the yeast and a teaspoon of sugar, allowing it to sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and stir in the vanilla. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, melted butter, and half of the dry mixture. Stir until combined, then gradually add the remaining dry ingredients. Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer until smooth and elastic, about 6–8 minutes. Fold in dried fruit or zest if using.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size. Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and transfer to a greased loaf pan. Cover again and let rise for 30–40 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. If desired, brush with melted butter after baking for a glossy finish. Cool before slicing.
Equipment needed
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 8–10 people. Preparation takes about 20 minutes, rising time totals 1½–2 hours, and baking requires 30–35 minutes. Total estimated time: approximately 2½–3 hours.
Storage/reheating
Store the bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to three days. Warm slices in the microwave for a few seconds or toast lightly for best flavor. To freeze, wrap the loaf or slices in plastic wrap and store for up to two months. Thaw overnight at room temperature before enjoying.
Variations and Customizations
Cranberry Orange Christmas Bread
Add dried cranberries and orange zest for bright, festive flavor.
Chocolate Chip Holiday Loaf
Fold in mini chocolate chips for a sweeter variation.
Nutty Christmas Bread
Add chopped pecans or walnuts for texture and warmth.
Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Roll the dough with a cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking.
Glazed Christmas Bread
Top with a simple vanilla glaze for extra sweetness.
Candied Fruit Celebration Loaf
Use traditional candied fruit for an old-fashioned holiday style.
Gingerbread Spiced Bread
Add ginger and cloves for deeper seasonal spice.
Mascarpone-Filled Christmas Bread
Swirl softened mascarpone into the dough for creamy richness.
Almond Christmas Loaf
Add almond extract and sliced almonds on top.
Cardamom Holiday Bread
Add ground cardamom for a Scandinavian-inspired flavor.
FAQs
Can I make this dough ahead of time?
Yes—refrigerate the dough after the first rise and bake within 24 hours.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry?
Yes—skip the proofing step and mix directly into the dry ingredients.
Why didn’t my dough rise?
The milk may have been too hot or the yeast expired.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes—replace up to half the flour, though the texture will be denser.
Can I make this into rolls?
Absolutely—divide dough into small balls and reduce baking time.
Should the bread be served warm?
Warm or room temperature both work beautifully.
Can I add glaze or frosting?
Yes—a powdered sugar glaze is a wonderful addition.
Can I bake without a loaf pan?
Yes—shape into a round loaf and bake on a sheet pan.
Is this bread sweet like cake?
It’s lightly sweet—closer to a breakfast or tea bread.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes—freeze after shaping, then thaw and rise before baking.
Conclusion
This Delicious Christmas Bread is soft, fragrant, and festive—everything you want in a holiday loaf. Filled with cozy spices, enriched dough, and optional fruity or citrus additions, it’s a recipe that brings warmth and joy to any table. From holiday breakfasts to edible gifts, this bread is simple to make, wonderfully customizable, and deeply satisfying. Bake a loaf, enjoy a warm slice, and embrace the comforting magic of seasonal baking.
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