Cranberry Almond Holiday Wreath Bread
Bring the festive spirit to your holiday table with this Cranberry Almond Holiday Wreath Bread, a show-stopping centerpiece that's as delicious as it is beautiful. Made with tender, lightly sweetened brioche dough, this bread is infused with bursts of tangy dried cranberries, crunchy toasted almonds, and a hint of refreshing orange zest. Its iconic braided wreath shape makes it perfect for Christmas or holiday gatherings, while a glossy orange glaze adds a touch of sweet citrus brilliance. Whether topped with a sprinkle of decorative sugar or extra almonds, this homemade holiday bread is easy to make and guaranteed to impress. Serve it warm from the oven or at room temperature for a festive treat everyone will love. Perfect for holiday breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this Cranberry Almond Holiday Wreath Bread combines flavor, tradition, and eye-catching presentation in one irresistible recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.25 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoons Salt
- 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
- 1 cups Warm milk (about 110°F)
- 0.25 cups Unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 units Large eggs
- 0.75 cups Dried cranberries
- 0.5 cups Toasted sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoons Orange zest
- 1 cups Powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons Orange juice (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons Optional decorative sugar or sliced almonds (for topping)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 5 minutes.
Gently fold in dried cranberries, toasted sliced almonds, and orange zest until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into three equal portions, rolling each into a long rope about 18 inches in length.
Braid the three ropes together, pinching the ends to seal, and form the braid into a circular wreath shape. Pinch the ends together to close the circle.
Transfer the formed wreath onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the wreath bread for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped.
Allow the bread to cool slightly on a wire rack while preparing the glaze.
To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread in a decorative pattern.
Optionally, sprinkle with decorative sugar or extra sliced almonds for a festive touch. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
405 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 10.8 g | 14% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.2 g | 21% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 53 mg | 18% | |
| Sodium | 225 mg | 10% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 67.7 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 27.1 g | ||
| Protein | 9.0 g | 18% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 59 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 153 mg | 3% | |
*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.
