Gift of the Magi Bread
Celebrate the season with the enchanting "Gift of the Magi Bread," a festive loaf infused with warm spices, vibrant citrus, and a medley of dried fruits and nuts. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this artisan bread marries golden raisins, dried apricots, and walnuts with the zesty brightness of orange and an aromatic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. Its tender, buttery dough is lovingly kneaded, shaped, and glazed with honey for a glossy, irresistible finish. Ideal for gift-giving or as the centerpiece of your holiday table, this bread is as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether served warm with a dollop of butter or enjoyed on its own, the Gift of the Magi Bread is a true celebration of holiday flavors and traditions.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cups granulated sugar
- 2.25 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1.25 cups warm milk
- 0.25 cups unsalted butter, melted
- 1 whole large egg
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.5 cups golden raisins
- 0.5 cups chopped dried apricots
- 0.5 cups chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons honey (for glaze)
- 1 tablespoons water (for glaze)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cardamom. Mix well to distribute the dry ingredients evenly.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook until a sticky dough begins to form.
Fold in the golden raisins, dried apricots, chopped walnuts, and orange zest. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm environment for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Once risen, punch down the dough to release excess air and shape it into a round loaf or a braided loaf, depending on your preference. Place the shaped dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover the shaped loaf with a towel and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until slightly puffy.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
While the bread is baking, make the glaze by combining honey and water in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until the honey is fully dissolved.
Once the bread is out of the oven, brush the warm glaze over the top to give it a glossy finish.
Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy your festive Gift of the Magi Bread!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
324 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.8 g | 11% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g | 17% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 28 mg | 9% | |
| Sodium | 180 mg | 8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 55.0 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.7 g | ||
| Protein | 7.1 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 54 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 235 mg | 5% | |
*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.
