Festival Bread
Celebrate the joy of baking with Festival Bread, a sweet and aromatic treat perfect for any special occasion or holiday gathering. This delightful golden loaf is enriched with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, studded with raisins or dried fruits for bursts of natural sweetness, and finished with a tangy lemon glaze and optional festive sprinkles for a fun, decorative touch. The dough comes together easily with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and vanilla, and transforms into a light, fluffy bread after its satisfying rise and bake. Ready in just under two hours, this versatile recipe pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea and makes a show-stopping centerpiece for brunch or dessert. With its enchanting combination of flavors and eye-catching presentation, Festival Bread is guaranteed to brighten any table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.5 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoons Salt
- 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
- 1 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground nutmeg
- 1 cups Whole milk
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 cups Raisins or dried fruits (chopped)
- 1 cups Powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Optional sprinkles
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, salt, instant yeast, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir together until well blended.
In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the milk and butter until the butter melts. Let the mixture cool to lukewarm.
Add the lukewarm milk mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir to combine.
Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour as you knead the dough. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook attachment.
Add the raisins or dried fruit to the dough and knead briefly to distribute them evenly.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Punch down the risen dough and shape it into the prepared pan. Cover and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the glaze, mix the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread.
Optionally, sprinkle festive sprinkles on top of the glaze for decoration. Slice and serve!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3858 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 72.0 g | 92% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.8 g | 184% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 525 mg | 175% | |
| Sodium | 2636 mg | 115% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 736.3 g | 268% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.8 g | 81% | |
| Total Sugars | 333.1 g | ||
| Protein | 77.8 g | 156% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.7 mcg | 24% | |
| Calcium | 548 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 26.8 mg | 149% | |
| Potassium | 2367 mg | 50% | |
*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.
