Christmas Loaf
Infuse your holiday celebrations with the warm, comforting flavors of this delightful Christmas Loaf. Bursting with festive ingredients like dried cranberries, raisins, chopped pecans, and a hint of orange zest, this spiced loaf is the perfect centerpiece for your seasonal baking. Accentuated with cinnamon and nutmeg, it offers the cozy aroma of Christmas in every soft, buttery bite. Simple to prepare yet packed with layers of flavor, this loaf is ideal for gifting, sharing at holiday gatherings, or simply enjoying with a mug of mulled cider or hot chocolate. Plus, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy, festive finish that's sure to impress. Celebrate the season with this irresistibly moist and flavorful holiday classic!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.75 cup whole milk
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup chopped pecans
- 0.5 cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Fold in the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, raisins, and orange zest until evenly distributed.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, optionally dust the top with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Slice and serve the Christmas Loaf. Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
373 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 15.3 g | 20% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.0 g | 35% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 64 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 239 mg | 10% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 54.5 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.7 g | ||
| Protein | 5.4 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 58 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.5 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 176 mg | 4% | |
*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.
