Festive Christmas Bread: A Soft and Sweet Holiday Loaf

The holidays bring the smell of warm bread and sweet spice. This festive Christmas bread is soft and full of cozy flavor. Each slice feels like a little celebration. The loaf looks beautiful on a holiday table and tastes even better the next morning with coffee or tea.

If you enjoy baking during Christmas, you might also like my Christmas Cranberry Orange Cookies. Both recipes capture the spirit of the season with comforting sweetness and a touch of citrus.

What Is Festive Christmas Bread

Festive Christmas Bread is a soft loaf made with butter, milk, and eggs. It has dried fruit, orange zest, and gentle spice that give it a warm flavor. You can serve it plain, dusted with sugar, or topped with a simple glaze. It has a light golden crust and just enough sweetness to make it special.

This bread is inspired by traditional European holiday loaves. It takes the best parts of those classics and keeps the process simple enough for any home baker.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This bread is a holiday favorite for many reasons:

• It has a soft and fluffy texture that stays fresh for several days.
• The dough is simple to make and comes together with basic pantry ingredients.
• The combination of citrus, spice, and fruit creates a cheerful flavor that feels like Christmas in every bite.
• It fills your kitchen with a cozy aroma while it bakes.
• It looks beautiful on a table, especially when drizzled with glaze or dusted with powdered sugar.

This recipe makes one large loaf, which you can serve warm or wrap as a homemade gift. It is the kind of bread that brings smiles and makes any morning feel festive.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Bread

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
• ½ cup warm milk
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• ½ cup dried fruit such as cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots

For the Glaze (optional)

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons orange juice

These ingredients create a soft golden loaf with gentle sweetness and a holiday aroma.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the yeast
Warm the milk until it feels comfortable to the touch. Pour it into a small bowl and add the yeast with one teaspoon of sugar. Stir lightly and let it rest for about ten minutes. You will see small bubbles form, showing that the yeast is active.

Step 2: Mix the dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir well. Add the butter, eggs, and orange zest. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix with a spoon or your hands until a sticky dough begins to form.

Step 3: Knead the dough
Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for about eight minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic. Add small amounts of flour only if it sticks too much. When you press it lightly, it should spring back a little.

Step 4: Add the dried fruit
Sprinkle the dried fruit over the dough and fold it in gently. Keep kneading for another minute until the fruit is spread evenly. The fruit gives color and sweetness to each bite.

Step 5: Let the dough rise
Put the dough into a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Set it in a warm place for about one and a half hours. The dough should double in size and feel soft and puffy.

Step 6: Shape the loaf
Press the dough down to release the air. Place it on a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round or oval loaf. You can also braid it or put it in a loaf pan. Cover it again and let it rise for another thirty minutes while you heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 7: Bake the bread
Bake the loaf for 25 to 30 minutes. The top should turn golden brown, and the bottom should sound hollow when tapped. Remove the bread and let it cool on a wire rack for at least fifteen minutes.

Step 8: Add the glaze
Mix the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle it over the warm bread. The glaze adds a light sweetness and a gentle citrus touch.

Helpful Tips

• Soak dried fruit in warm water for ten minutes to make it softer.
• Use whole milk for a richer flavor.
• Let the dough rise slowly in a warm spot for better texture.
• Add a few chopped nuts or sprinkle sugar on top before baking if you like extra crunch.

How to Store and Gift

To Store
Wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap or foil. Keep it at room temperature for up to three days. You can also refrigerate it to make it last longer.

To Reheat
Warm slices in a toaster or oven for a few minutes. This brings back the soft texture.

To Gift
Wrap the bread in parchment paper and tie it with a ribbon. Add a small card or tag. It makes a lovely homemade present that everyone will appreciate.

Variations

• Add chocolate chips instead of dried fruit for a sweeter version
• Use lemon zest for a brighter flavor
• Sprinkle coarse sugar before baking for sparkle
• Add a drop of almond extract for a warm aroma

Each version brings something new while keeping the same soft and cheerful holiday spirit.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast?
Yes, you can. Mix it directly with the dry ingredients and skip the proofing step.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. Keep it in the fridge overnight and let it come to room temperature before baking.

Can I use different fruits?
Yes, dried cherries, apricots, or dates all work well.

Can I make it without eggs?
Yes. Use three tablespoons of milk or applesauce for each egg.

How long does it stay soft?
It stays soft for about three days if wrapped well. You can freeze it for up to a month.

Closing Thoughts

Festive Christmas Bread brings warmth and joy to any table. It is soft, rich, and filled with the flavor of orange and spice. This bread feels special but is easy enough to make any time during the holidays. Whether you share it or enjoy it at home, it adds comfort to every bite.