Celebrate the joy of baking with Festival Bread, a sweet and aromatic treat perfect for any special occasion or holiday gathering. This delightful golden loaf is enriched with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, studded with raisins or dried fruits for bursts of natural sweetness, and finished with a tangy lemon glaze and optional festive sprinkles for a fun, decorative touch. The dough comes together easily with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and vanilla, and transforms into a light, fluffy bread after its satisfying rise and bake. Ready in just under two hours, this versatile recipe pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea and makes a show-stopping centerpiece for brunch or dessert. With its enchanting combination of flavors and eye-catching presentation, Festival Bread is guaranteed to brighten any table.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, salt, instant yeast, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir together until well blended.
In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the milk and butter until the butter melts. Let the mixture cool to lukewarm.
Add the lukewarm milk mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir to combine.
Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour as you knead the dough. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook attachment.
Add the raisins or dried fruit to the dough and knead briefly to distribute them evenly.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Punch down the risen dough and shape it into the prepared pan. Cover and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the glaze, mix the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread.
Optionally, sprinkle festive sprinkles on top of the glaze for decoration. Slice and serve!
Serving size | 1318.5 grams (1318.5g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 3858 |
Total Fat 72.00g | 92% |
Saturated Fat 36.80g | 184% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.30g | |
Cholesterol 525mg | 175% |
Sodium 2636mg | 115% |
Total Carbohydrate 736.30g | 268% |
Dietary Fiber 22.80g | 81% |
Total Sugars 333.10g | |
Protein 77.80g | 156% |
Vitamin D 189IU | 947% |
Calcium 548mg | 42% |
Iron 27mg | 149% |
Potassium 2367mg | 50% |
Source of Calories