Holiday Bread
Celebrate the season with this irresistibly festive Holiday Bread, a sweet and spiced masterpiece that's as beautiful as it is delicious. This enriched loaf combines the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg with bursts of flavor from raisins, dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, making it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table. With its soft, fluffy texture and a glossy powdered sugar glaze, this bread is ideal for gifting or savoring with your favorite cup of coffee or tea. Made with simple pantry staples and enriched with milk, butter, and eggs, this homemade treat brings nostalgic holiday cheer to every bite. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or toasted with a dollop of butter, Holiday Bread is a must-bake for festive gatherings and cozy family mornings alike.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cups granulated sugar
- 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 pieces large eggs
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.75 cups raisins
- 0.75 cups dried cranberries
- 0.5 cups chopped walnuts
- 1 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it reaches about 110°F (warm to the touch but not hot). Remove from heat and stir in the active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, the remaining granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
Add the frothy milk mixture, eggs, vanilla extract, and softened butter to the dry ingredients. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
Gradually add the remaining 1 cup of flour, a little at a time, until the dough is soft but not overly sticky. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow it to rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and knead in the raisins, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.
Shape the dough into a boule (round loaf) or divide it into two smaller loaves. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in greased loaf pans. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before glazing.
To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth. Drizzle over the bread and let it set for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4602 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 124.5 g | 160% | |
| Saturated Fat | 48.2 g | 241% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 570 mg | 190% | |
| Sodium | 3920 mg | 170% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 794.3 g | 289% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.7 g | 117% | |
| Total Sugars | 387.5 g | ||
| Protein | 90.6 g | 181% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.0 mcg | 30% | |
| Calcium | 737 mg | 57% | |
| Iron | 28.7 mg | 159% | |
| Potassium | 2573 mg | 55% | |
*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.
