Christmas Bread Recipe The Perfect Festive Treat

Introduction

Christmas Bread Recipe is a must-have during the holiday season! As a professional chef, I love baking this festive delight because it fills the home with warmth and the sweet aroma of spices. It’s soft, fluffy, and loaded with seasonal flavors that make every bite special.

This Xmas bread is not just delicious but also easy to make. With simple ingredients like flour, butter, dried fruits, and warm spices, you can create a stunning holiday treat. Making it for a family gathering or gifting it to loved ones, this bread at Christmas is always a hit.

So, if you’re looking for the best Christmas bread recipes, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started on this traditional yet easy-to-make holiday delight that will make your celebrations even sweeter!

Preparation Time, Servings & Yield

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Baking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Yield: 1 large loaf

Ingredients for Christmas Bread Recipe

Dry Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) dry yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup warm milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Add-ins:

1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1/4 cup candied citrus peel

How to Make Christmas Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
In another bowl, combine flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Knead and Rest

Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape and Bake

Punch down the dough and fold in dried fruits and nuts.
Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased baking pan. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes until golden brown.

Christmas bread dough with fruits and nuts, ready for baking.

Step 4: Cool and Serve

Let it cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your homemade Christmas bread with butter or jam!

Nutritional Information (Per Slice)

Calories: 220
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 6g
Fiber: 2g

Different Versions of Christmas Bread Recipe

Christmas bread comes in many delicious variations worldwide, each with unique flavors and traditions. If you love rich, fruit-filled loaves or prefer lighter, spiced bread, here are some trendy and highly searched Christmas bread recipes that you can try this holiday season!

1. Classic Stollen (German Christmas Bread)

Also Known As: Dresdner Stollen, Christstollen
Why Try It? A dense, buttery bread packed with dried fruits, nuts, and a marzipan center, dusted with powdered sugar.

Ingredients:

All-purpose flour
Yeast
Butter
Warm milk
Candied citrus peel
Rum-soaked raisins
Almonds
Marzipan
Powdered sugar

How It’s Different:

Uses marzipan for a rich, almond-flavored center.
Traditionally soaked in butter after baking and dusted with powdered sugar for a long shelf life.
Best when aged for a few days to enhance flavor.

2. Italian Panettone (Tall & Airy Christmas Bread)

Also Known As: Traditional Italian Christmas Bread, Milano Panettone
Why Try It? A light, fluffy, dome-shaped bread with a buttery, citrusy flavor, often filled with raisins and candied orange peel.

Ingredients:

Bread flour
Active dry yeast
Sugar
Butter
Eggs
Lemon & orange zest
Dried fruits
Vanilla extract

How It’s Different:

Has a soft, cake-like texture due to long fermentation.
Uses a special mold to give it a tall, domed shape.
Often served with mascarpone cream or sweet spreads.

3. French Brioche de Noël (Buttery Holiday Bread)

Also Known As: Brioche de Noël, French Christmas Bread
Why Try It? A rich, soft, slightly sweet bread with a golden crust and a tender crumb, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients:

Bread flour
Eggs
Butter
Sugar
Milk
Orange zest
Vanilla
Pearl sugar or almonds for topping

How It’s Different:

Extra buttery and rich, with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Can be shaped into braids, wreaths, or stars for a festive touch.
Often enjoyed with hot chocolate or mulled wine.

4. Scandinavian Julekake (Norwegian Christmas Bread)

Also Known As: Julekake, Norwegian Holiday Bread
Why Try It? A spiced, fruit-filled bread with a soft texture and a sweet cardamom flavor, topped with icing or pearl sugar.

Ingredients:

All-purpose flour
Cardamom
Yeast
Milk
Butter
Raisins & candied fruit
Sugar
Pearl sugar for topping

How It’s Different:

Features warm, fragrant cardamom, a signature Nordic spice.
Typically shaped into round loaves and served sliced with butter.
Can be enjoyed fresh or toasted with jam.

5. Polish Makowiec (Poppy Seed Christmas Bread)

Also Known As: Makowiec, Polish Holiday Roll
Why Try It? A traditional Polish roll filled with sweet poppy seed paste, nuts, and honey, perfect for Christmas and Easter.

Ingredients:

Yeast dough (made with flour, butter, and eggs)
Ground poppy seeds
Honey
Sugar
Walnuts
Raisins
Lemon zest

How It’s Different:

Rolled and swirled for a beautiful spiral appearance.
Filled with a sweet, nutty, poppy seed mixture.
Often topped with icing or powdered sugar.

6. Mexican Rosca de Reyes (King’s Bread for Christmas & Epiphany)

Also Known As: Three Kings Bread, Rosca de Reyes
Why Try It? A ring-shaped, slightly sweet bread decorated with candied fruits, symbolizing a crown. Traditionally eaten on Epiphany (January 6th).

Ingredients:

Bread flour
Yeast
Sugar
Butter
Orange blossom water
Candied fruits
Egg wash for shine

How It’s Different:

Ring-shaped to symbolize the Three Kings’ crown.
Often hides a small figurine inside, bringing luck to the finder.
Best served with hot chocolate or atole.

7. Finnish Pulla (Braided Cardamom Bread)

Also Known As: Pulla, Finnish Christmas Bread
Why Try It? A beautifully braided, soft bread infused with cardamom and topped with pearl sugar or almonds.

Ingredients:

Bread flour
Yeast
Cardamom
Sugar
Butter
Milk
Egg wash for gloss

How It’s Different:

Lightly sweet with a soft, airy texture.
Braided for an elegant holiday look.
Often enjoyed with coffee or tea.

8. Greek Christopsomo (Greek Christmas Bread)

Also Known As: Christopsomo, Greek Holiday Bread
Why Try It? A lightly spiced, round loaf decorated with a cross, symbolizing Christmas blessings.

Ingredients:

All-purpose flour
Yeast
Honey
Olive oil
Walnuts
Cinnamon & nutmeg
Sesame seeds for topping

How It’s Different:

Made as an offering for Christmas blessings.
Uses olive oil instead of butter, making it slightly denser.
Often served with honey and nuts.

Which Christmas Bread Will You Try?

Christmas bread is a beautiful way to bring holiday cheer to your table. If you prefer the nutty richness of Stollen, the fluffy sweetness of Panettone, or the warm spice of Julekake, there’s a perfect Christmas bread for everyone!

Trending Searches:
✔ Best Christmas bread recipes
✔ Traditional holiday bread
✔ Easy homemade Christmas bread
✔ Festive bread for Christmas breakfast
✔ How to make Panettone at home

Which version are you excited to try? Let us know in the comments! 🎄✨

Conclusion

This Christmas bread recipe is the ultimate holiday treat that brings warmth and joy to every table. Whether you’re making Xmas bread for a Christmas breakfast or gifting it to friends, this soft and flavorful loaf is a must-have. So, get your ingredients ready and start baking your way to a delicious holiday tradition!