Description
This Braided Christmas Bread is a cozy holiday favorite, featuring a warm, sweet crumb with pockets of fruit or nuts, making it perfect for festive breakfasts.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups Bread flour (Can substitute with all-purpose flour)
- 1/3 cup Sugar (Divided into two parts)
- 2 teaspoons Active dry yeast (Bloom in warm milk)
- 2 large Eggs (For richness)
- 1 cup Milk (Whole milk recommended)
- 1/2 cup Butter (Melted)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Filling Options
- 1 cup Dried or candied fruit (e.g., cranberries, apricots, chocolate chips)
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon (Optional for flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Almond or vanilla extract (For flavor)
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup Powdered sugar (For glazing)
- 2-4 tablespoons Milk (To achieve desired consistency)
Instructions
Preparation
- Warm the milk and bloom the yeast with a spoonful of sugar for about five minutes until foamy.
- Combine with eggs, rest of sugar, melted butter, and extract.
- Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until shaggy, then knead until smooth (about ten minutes by hand or use a mixer).
- Let the dough rise until doubled, about one hour.
Shaping and Baking
- Flatten the dough, spread on fillings, then roll into three ropes for braiding.
- Braid the ropes and curve into a wreath shape.
- Let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake until golden and hollow-sounding, about 30 minutes.
- Cool the bread, glaze it with the powdered sugar mixture, and add decorations.
Notes
You can customize the filling with different fruits, nuts, or spices. Make ahead and freeze for later use.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, brunch, Dessert
- Cuisine: American, Holiday