The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with warm, freshly baked bread? Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or simply want to treat yourself to some homemade goodness, holiday breads are a must-have.
From sweet to savory, there's a bread recipe for every palate. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best holiday bread recipes that are sure to impress your family and friends. So grab your apron and let's get baking!
1. Sweet Nut Holiday Bread Wreath
The Sweet Nut Holiday Bread Wreath is a delightful and visually stunning addition to any holiday table. This recipe features a soft and flavorful dough filled with a delicious walnut filling.
Topped with a powdered sugar glaze, this bread wreath can be served as a dessert or enjoyed as a breakfast treat. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that can be prepared up to two days in advance.
2. Christmas Bread
Christmas Bread is a delightful holiday treat that is perfect for the festive season. This quick bread recipe is loaded with sprinkles, giving it a fun and colorful appearance. The bread itself is a vanilla cinnamon flavor, making it warm and comforting.
It is topped with a delicious vanilla glaze and more sprinkles for an extra festive touch. This recipe is easy to make and requires pantry staple ingredients. It can be doubled or made into mini loaves for gifting. Overall, Christmas Bread is a must-try recipe that will bring joy to any holiday gathering.
3. Helen's Famous Canadian Holiday Fruit Bread
Helen's Famous Canadian Holiday Fruit Bread is a traditional family favorite that is perfect for the holiday season. This fruit loaf is made with a "fancy" glazed fruit mixture, which provides large morsels of fruit for a burst of flavor in every bite.
The dough is soft and fluffy, and when toasted, it becomes even more delicious. This recipe yields two loaves, making it great for sharing or gifting. Overall, Helen's Famous Canadian Holiday Fruit Bread is a must-try for anyone looking for a homemade fruit loaf that is both flavorful and festive.
4. Christmas Loaf
Christmas Loaf is a traditional holiday bread recipe that brings back nostalgic memories of family and festive gatherings. This easy-to-make bread is baked in small loaf pans, making it a perfect homemade gift.
The recipe incorporates candied fruits and nutmeats, giving it a delightful texture and flavor. It can be enjoyed as is or used to make delicious French toast or bread pudding. Overall, Christmas Loaf is a comforting and classic treat that embodies the spirit of the holiday season.
5. Cinnamon Bread
Cinnamon Bread is a delightful holiday treat that is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or gifting to loved ones. This easy quick bread is leavened with baking powder, making it fuss-free and moist. The aroma of cinnamon fills your kitchen as it bakes, creating a truly festive experience.
The bread can be enjoyed on its own or with a spread of butter, and it can also be customized with additions like raisins, nuts, or apples. With its delicious flavor and simple preparation, Cinnamon Bread is a must-try recipe for the holiday season.
6. Holiday Cranberry Bread
Holiday Cranberry Bread is a moist and flavorful bread that captures the essence of the holiday season. Made with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and pecans, this bread is a delightful treat to enjoy or gift to loved ones.
The addition of a sweet glaze adds the perfect finishing touch. With its festive appearance and delicious taste, Holiday Cranberry Bread is a must-have for the holidays.
7. Star Christmas Bread
Star Christmas Bread is a soft and fluffy pull-apart bread with a sweet and sticky brown sugar cinnamon roll center. It is a delightful dessert for holiday celebrations, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. The bread is made with yeast, but the recipe provides easy-to-follow instructions.
The dough is rolled out into a star shape, and the filling consists of softened butter, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. The bread is brushed with egg whites before baking to achieve a beautiful golden color. The end result is a delicious and visually stunning treat that will impress your guests.
8. Stollen
Stollen is a traditional German Christmas bread that is perfect for the holidays. This sweet and yeasty creation is filled with a colorful assortment of dried fruits, nuts, and candies.
The recipe allows for customization, so you can choose your favorite add-ins. The bread is dusted with powdered sugar, resembling a snowy winter scene. Overall, Stollen is a beautiful and delicious holiday bread that will impress your family and friends.
9. Classic Sweet Bread
The Classic Sweet Bread is a delightful holiday treat with a subtle, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with a hot beverage. It features golden raisins for a touch of sourness, but poppy seeds can be used as an alternative. The dough requires two proofing times, resulting in a soft and moist texture.
This recipe offers variations such as adding different fruits or chocolate chips, and a glaze can be drizzled on top for added sweetness. Leftovers can be stored for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Overall, the Classic Sweet Bread is a must-try for Christmas and Easter celebrations.
10. Gingerbread Loaf
The Gingerbread Loaf is a soft and moist quick bread that captures the classic holiday flavors of ginger and nutmeg. It is perfectly seasoned and has a delightful aroma reminiscent of gingerbread cookies.
This recipe has been perfected over a year of trial and error, resulting in a delicious and sliceable gingerbread loaf. It is a great alternative for those who prefer a softer texture than traditional gingerbread cookies. Enjoy a warm slice with butter and a hot drink for a cozy winter treat.
11. Orange Cranberry Bread
Orange Cranberry Bread is a delightful holiday treat that combines the sweet and tart flavors of fresh cranberries and oranges. The bread is soft, moist, and firm, making it perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert during Christmas or Thanksgiving. The addition of cranberries not only adds flavor but also a beautiful pop of color to the bread.
The recipe also offers variations such as adding nuts, pumpkin puree, lemon juice and zest, and different toppings and fillings. The bread can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. Overall, Orange Cranberry Bread is a delicious and versatile holiday bread option.
12. Pumpkin Banana Bread
Pumpkin Banana Bread is a delightful twist on traditional sweet bread recipes. This moist and flavorful bread combines the deliciousness of homemade banana bread with the rich taste of pumpkin. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, and pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee.
Whether enjoyed during the holiday season or year-round, this bread is a crowd-pleaser. With its easy preparation and optional add-ins like chocolate chips, Pumpkin Banana Bread is a must-try recipe for any occasion.
13. Italian Easter Bread
Italian Easter Bread is a visually stunning and delicious holiday bread. It is a braided bread with bright colored Easter eggs, making it a beautiful centerpiece for any holiday table.
The sweet bread can be served with icing or cinnamon butter, adding even more flavor to this delightful treat. The recipe yields 4 individual Easter breads, perfect for a family of four. Overall, Italian Easter Bread is a must-try recipe for bread lovers during the holiday season.
14. Easy Orange Cranberry Bread
The Easy Orange Cranberry Bread is a perfect addition to your holiday baking. The combination of zesty orange and sweet cranberries creates a delightful aroma and flavor. The bread is quick to make, without the need for yeast, and comes out beautifully when baked.
The batter is visually appealing, with the option to add extra cranberries on top for a picture-perfect finish. The recipe also includes the option of adding an orange glaze for those who prefer a sweeter taste. Overall, this bread is a hit and will surely be loved by your family during the holiday season.
15. Cranberry Orange Sourdough Bread
Cranberry Orange Sourdough Bread is a delightful twist on a classic sourdough loaf. The combination of dried cranberries and orange zest adds a burst of sweetness to the bread, making it perfect for the holiday season.
It's simple to make and the fruit flavors are a surprisingly great addition to the bread. Overall, this recipe is a delicious option for fall and winter gatherings.
16. Holiday Eggnog Bread
Holiday Eggnog Bread is a delightful seasonal treat that combines the flavors of eggnog with a tender and flavorful quick bread. Topped with a sweet glaze and a sprinkle of nutmeg, this bread is perfect for gifting or enjoying as a morning treat.
It's easy to make and can be baked as a large loaf or mini loaves. If you're a fan of eggnog, this bread is a must-try for the holidays.
17. Pistachio Bread
Pistachio Bread is a festive and delicious holiday dessert bread that is perfect for gifting. With its vibrant green color and easy preparation using a cake mix, it's a quick and tasty treat.
The addition of pistachio pudding gives it a delightful flavor, and sprinkles can be added for an extra festive touch. This bread freezes well, making it a convenient option for holiday baking. Overall, Pistachio Bread is a fun and enjoyable addition to any holiday spread.
18. Cranberry Walnut Bread
Cranberry Walnut Bread is a must-have holiday treat. Packed with tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts, this quick bread is a perfect blend of tangy and sweet flavors.
The addition of fresh orange juice and zest adds a bright citrusy twist. It's a delightful breakfast option for Christmas morning or a thoughtful hostess gift. Try it with sweet orange marmalade for an extra burst of flavor.
