Christmas Bread
A delightful holiday bread filled with dried fruits and nuts, perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
- 1 cup warm milk Must be warm, not hot.
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (like cranberries or raisins)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk and sugar, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- Add melted butter, eggs, and the yeast mixture to the flour mixture. Stir until a soft dough begins to form.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Fold in the dried fruits and nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Once risen, gently punch down the dough before shaping it into a loaf or round and placing it into a greased loaf pan or on a baking sheet.
- Allow the dough to rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
Best enjoyed warm with butter or honey. Can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or frozen for up to three months.