A New England Holiday Bread with Olde World Roots
Infused with the festive flavors of dried cranberries, candied orange peel, and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, A New England Holiday Bread with Olde World Roots is a must-bake for the holiday season. This traditional yeast bread strikes the perfect balance between sweet and subtle, drawing inspiration from age-old baking traditions while embracing the cozy charm of New England. With a soft, slightly sticky dough that transforms into a golden, lightly spiced loaf, it’s the ideal centerpiece for winter celebrations. Whether enjoyed warm with a pat of butter or paired with honey for a touch of extra indulgence, this bread is a delightful way to savor the season. Perfect for festive brunches, gift-giving, or just a quiet morning by the fire, this recipe combines timeless flavors with modern baking ease.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.5 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
- 1 cup Milk
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 Eggs
- 0.75 cups Dried cranberries
- 0.5 cups Chopped candied orange peel
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoons Ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, instant yeast, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter over low heat until the butter melts and the mixture is warm (but not hot) to the touch, around 100-110°F.
Pour the warm milk mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Stir until a soft, slightly sticky dough begins to form.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Gently knead in the dried cranberries and candied orange peel until evenly distributed.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1.5 hours.
Punch the dough down to release any air bubbles. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover the dough loosely with the kitchen towel and let it rise again for 30-40 minutes, until puffed.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped on the bottom.
Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with butter or honey.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3097 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 62.8 g | 81% | |
| Saturated Fat | 31.9 g | 160% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 496 mg | 165% | |
| Sodium | 2569 mg | 112% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 559.3 g | 203% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.9 g | 89% | |
| Total Sugars | 168.6 g | ||
| Protein | 66.2 g | 132% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 194 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 24.9 mg | 138% | |
| Potassium | 868 mg | 18% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
