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Festive Christmas Bread

Soft, fluffy, and full of cranberries, orange peel, and nuts—a perfect holiday bread.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 310

Ingredients
  

Bread Ingredients
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2.25 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 cup whole milk warmed
  • 2 eggs large
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 0.5 cup candied orange peel chopped
  • 0.5 cup walnuts chopped

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Activate yeast in warm milk with pinch of sugar for 5–10 minutes.
  2. Mix flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
  3. Combine melted butter, eggs, and vanilla with yeast mixture.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, knead until smooth and elastic.
  5. Fold in cranberries, candied orange peel, and walnuts.
  6. First rise: cover and let dough double in size for 1–2 hours.
  7. Shape dough into loaf, place on baking sheet or pan.
  8. Second rise: cover and let dough puff for 30–45 minutes.
  9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  10. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
  11. Cool completely on wire rack.
  12. Optional: mix powdered sugar with milk/orange juice and vanilla; drizzle over bread.

Notes

Ensure liquids are warm but not hot to avoid killing yeast. Toss add-ins in flour to prevent sinking.