Quick and Easy Christmas Bread : A Festive Treat for Your Family

Posted on November 13, 2025

This delicious Christmas Bread comes together in about 90 minutes with just a bowl and a whisk, making it a quick and easy treat that your family will love! It’s a crowd-pleaser, perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy family dinners, or even breakfast on those chilly winter mornings. Best of all, you can switch up the dried fruits and nuts based on what you have on hand, making it a fantastic way to clean out your fridge of any odds and ends!

Ingredient Breakdown

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this festive loaf:

4 cups all-purpose flour: This is the foundation of our bread. You can swap with whole wheat flour for a heartier version, but stick to all-purpose if you want that soft, fluffy texture!
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast: This little packet is how your bread will rise. Make sure it’s fresh for the best results!
1/4 cup sugar: Just a touch of sweetness enhances the flavors, but feel free to reduce that if you like it less sweet.
1 teaspoon salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness; it’s like magic for flavor!
1 cup warm milk: You’ll want this at about 110°F; too hot and it’ll kill your yeast, too cold and it won’t activate.
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted: Butter is LIFE in baking! It adds richness and flavor.
2 large eggs: They help bind everything together and create a soft texture. Room temperature is best.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This adds a warm, comforting aroma that screams holiday cheer!
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Because nothing says Christmas like the smell of cinnamon wafting through your kitchen!
1/2 cup dried fruit (such as cranberries or raisins): Go wild with choices! Dried figs or apricots can be delightful too.
1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans): These add texture and nutty goodness.
Egg wash: Just one egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water for that golden, shiny finish!

Let’s Get Cooking!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mix the Yeast Mixture (10 minutes): In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This is your yeast doing its happy dance!
Stir in Wet Ingredients (5 minutes): Next, mix in the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until it’s all combined, just until blended, nothing too crazy here.
Prepare Dry Ingredients (5 minutes): In another bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture into the yeast mixture, stirring until a soft dough begins to form.
Knead the Dough (10 minutes): Now, here’s where the fun starts! Add in your dried fruits and nuts, and knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-10 minutes. You’ll want it to be smooth and slightly elastic, think of it like giving your dough a workout!
Let It Rise (1 hour): Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. I like to preheat my oven for a few moments and then turn it off; it creates a cozy, warm spot for the dough!
Preheat the Oven (10 minutes): While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). The aroma as it heats up will be nothing short of amazing!
Shape the Loaf (5 minutes): Once the dough has risen, punch it down (this is the fun part!), and then shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased loaf pan, making sure it fits snugly.
Brush with Egg Wash (5 minutes): Beat one egg with a tablespoon of water and brush this egg wash over the top of your loaf for that lovely golden finish.
Bake It Up (30-35 minutes): Pop the loaf into the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until it’s golden brown. Your kitchen will smell like a holiday dream!
Cool and Enjoy (10 minutes): Once it’s done baking, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice it up, enjoy it with butter, or even as is it’s amazing!

Why I Adore This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I’m trying to conjure up some holiday magic in the middle of a hectic week. It smells like pure comfort seriously, the cinnamon and vanilla combo is hard to resist! My kids? They go wild for it, especially when it’s still warm and slathered with a bit of butter! You can really just use whatever you have on hand; dried figs, any nuts you name it! Plus, it’s versatile enough to be a sweet treat or a delightful addition to your breakfast spread.

If You Loved This Recipe…

If you loved this quick and easy Christmas Bread, be sure to check out my Easy Lemon Brownies, my Mandarin Orange Pineapple Cake, or my Pumpkin Dump Cake! Each one is like a warm hug in the form of food.

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This delicious Christmas Bread comes together in about 90 minutes, with most of that time just being the dough rising! Your family will appreciate your efforts, but you’ll love how little work is involved.

Customizable

You can play around with the dried fruits and nuts! Pecans instead of walnuts? Absolutely! Want to throw in some chocolate chips? No judgment here. This recipe is so forgiving and versatile.

Comfort Food

The warm, homey aromas will fill your kitchen and give you those cozy winter vibes. It’s comfort food at its finest simple yet packed with flavor that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!

Make-Ahead Friendly

Want to get a jumpstart on your holiday baking? Prep your dough ahead of time and refrigerate it after kneading for up to 24 hours just let it come to room temperature before shaping and rising.

Budget-Friendly

With pantry staples like flour, sugar, and yeast, this recipe is easy on the wallet. You’re likely to have most of the ingredients at home already, which is perfect for that last-minute baking session!

Serving & Storage Tips

What to Serve With This

This Christmas Bread is perfect on its own, but why not jazz it up? Serve it warm with a pat of butter, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or even cream cheese frosting for a little indulgence during the holidays!

Storage

Once cooled, store your bread in an airtight container or a resealable bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can even toast it a bit to regain that cozy warmth!

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, simply pop slices in the toaster or microwave for about 10-15 seconds until warm. Add another dab of butter while it’s warm a must, believe me!

Freezer Friendly

This loaf freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil to keep it fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just remember to thaw it on the counter when you’re ready to enjoy again!

Final Thoughts

There’s something about baking that just brings everything together during the holidays, isn’t there? This Christmas Bread is not just a recipe; it’s an experience, the joy of mixing, kneading, and watching it rise. So, roll up your sleeves, kick on your favorite holiday tunes, and dive into this cozy baking adventure. Enjoy every moment, your family will thank you!

Happy baking, friends!

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