Holiday Bread

Celebrate the season with this irresistibly festive Holiday Bread, a sweet and spiced masterpiece that's as beautiful as it is delicious. This enriched loaf combines the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg with bursts of flavor from raisins, dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, making it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table. With its soft, fluffy texture and a glossy powdered sugar glaze, this bread is ideal for gifting or savoring with your favorite cup of coffee or tea. Made with simple pantry staples and enriched with milk, butter, and eggs, this homemade treat brings nostalgic holiday cheer to every bite. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or toasted with a dollop of butter, Holiday Bread is a must-bake for festive gatherings and cozy family mornings alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cups granulated sugar
• 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1.5 cups whole milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 pieces large eggs
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 0.75 cups raisins
• 0.75 cups dried cranberries
• 0.5 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

Step 1

Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it reaches about 110°F (warm to the touch but not hot). Remove from heat and stir in the active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, the remaining granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to combine.

Step 3

Add the frothy milk mixture, eggs, vanilla extract, and softened butter to the dry ingredients. Mix until a sticky dough forms.

Step 4

Gradually add the remaining 1 cup of flour, a little at a time, until the dough is soft but not overly sticky. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow it to rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and knead in the raisins, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.

Step 7

Shape the dough into a boule (round loaf) or divide it into two smaller loaves. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in greased loaf pans. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.

Step 8

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 9

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before glazing.

Step 10

To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth. Drizzle over the bread and let it set for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1552 grams (1552.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4602

Total Fat 124.50g	160%
Saturated Fat 48.20g	241%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.50g
Cholesterol 570mg	190%
Sodium 3921mg	170%
Total Carbohydrate 794.30g	289%
Dietary Fiber 32.70g	117%
Total Sugars 387.50g
Protein 90.60g	181%

Vitamin D 241IU	1205%
Calcium 737mg	57%
Iron 29mg	159%
Potassium 2573mg	55%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.0%

Protein: 7.8%

Carbs: 68.2%