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Fluffy Christmas Bread

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This festive holiday bread is light, fluffy, and delicately sweet, featuring hints of vanilla, orange zest, and cinnamon. Perfect for Christmas morning, gifting, or cozy gatherings, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and endlessly adaptable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Zest from 1 orange
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
  • 1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional, walnuts or pecans)
  • Coarse sparkling sugar (for topping)
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk, active dry yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, remaining sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and orange zest until glossy and pale yellow.
  3. Pour the foamy yeast mixture into the wet ingredients. Add flour, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. If too sticky, add up to 2 tablespoons extra flour.
  4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 60 minutes, until doubled in size.
  6. Gently punch down the dough. Sprinkle in dried cranberries or raisins and chopped nuts if using. Knead just until evenly distributed.
  7. Shape dough into a log and place in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise again for 30-40 minutes, until puffy.
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle coarse sugar over the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until deep golden and sounds hollow when tapped. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
  9. Remove from oven, cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Dust with powdered sugar once fully cooled.

Notes

Proof yeast until frothy for best rise. Don’t over-knead or overmix add-ins. Use a warm spot for rising. Tent with foil if browning too quickly. Let bread cool before slicing for best texture. Adapt with gluten-free flour, dairy-free substitutes, or different mix-ins. Bread is nut-free if you skip nuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas bread, holiday dessert, festive bread, gifting bread, fluffy bread, sweet bread, yeast bread, orange zest, cinnamon, vanilla, homemade bread

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/fluffy-christmas-bread-recipe-easy-festive-holiday-dessert-and-gift/