Cozy Holiday Christmas Bread Recipe: A Heartwarming Baking Delight
This cozy holiday bread is a delightful blend of flavors, perfect for festive gatherings. It features a soft, sweet dough filled with cranberries, pecans, and candied orange peel.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk warmed
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup dried cranberries chopped
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- ½ cup candied orange peel diced
- 1 large egg for egg wash
- optional powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Combine warmed milk with active dry yeast and let sit until frothy.
- Whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
- Stir in the frothy yeast mixture until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and fold in cranberries, pecans, and orange peel.
- Shape into a loaf and place in a greased loaf pan, let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brush the loaf with egg wash and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For a decorative touch, dust with powdered sugar before serving.