Ah, the holidays! There’s just something magical about gathering with family and friends, sharing stories, and creating memories around a table filled with delicious food. One of my absolute favorite traditions is serving up warm, fragrant holiday breakfast breads. This recipe was inspired by those cozy winter mornings spent in my grandmother’s kitchen, where the aroma of freshly baked bread would fill the air and draw everyone in. You can’t help but smile when you slice into a loaf that’s just golden brown and soft on the inside, bursting with sweet dried fruits. Trust me, these delightful breads make the perfect centerpiece for your festive brunch, ensuring everyone starts their day on a sweet note. So, let’s dive into this recipe that’s bound to become a cherished part of your holiday celebration!
Ingredients List
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup dried fruits (such as raisins and cranberries)
How to Prepare Holiday Breakfast Breads
Preheat the Oven
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is super important because it ensures that your breads bake evenly and rise beautifully. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this step—it’s the secret to that perfect golden crust!
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a whisk to mix them together thoroughly; this helps to aerate the flour and evenly distribute the baking powder. You want everything to be well incorporated before we move on to the wet ingredients!
Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the milk, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Make sure to mix them until everything is completely blended. You want that butter to be fully incorporated, so don’t rush this step! The creaminess of the butter combined with the milk is what gives the bread its moist texture.
Combine Mixtures
Now it’s time to bring the wet and dry ingredients together! Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this can make the bread tough. Once you see no more dry flour, fold in those lovely dried fruits. This adds bursts of sweetness to every slice!
Baking Process
Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan, making sure to spread it evenly. Pop it in the oven and let it bake for 50-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. It’s always a thrilling moment when you pull that loaf out and see it puffed up and golden!
Cooling and Serving
Once your bread is done baking, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This cooling time helps set the texture just right. Slice it up and serve it warm, maybe with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze for that extra festive touch. Trust me, your guests will be raving about this delightful treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: This recipe comes together in just about 15 minutes, so you can spend more time enjoying the festivities and less time in the kitchen!
- Deliciously sweet flavor: The combination of sugar and dried fruits creates a delightful sweetness that’s just perfect for holiday mornings.
- Perfect for gatherings: This bread is a fantastic centerpiece for any brunch table, sure to impress your guests and spark conversation.
- Customizable with various dried fruits: Feel free to mix and match your favorite dried fruits—cranberries, apricots, or even figs—for a unique twist every time!
- Vegetarian-friendly: This recipe is suitable for vegetarians, making it a great option for everyone at your gathering.
Tips for Success
To make sure your holiday breakfast breads turn out perfectly every time, here are a few of my go-to tips! First, always use fresh ingredients—especially your baking powder! Old baking powder can lead to flat bread, and we definitely want that lovely rise. When mixing, be gentle and don’t overmix your batter; this will keep your bread light and fluffy. Also, if you want that golden crust, make sure your oven is fully preheated before you pop the loaf in. And here’s a little secret: if you find your bread is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. Finally, allow the bread to cool completely before slicing—it’ll slice much easier and maintain its shape! Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
This delightful holiday breakfast bread is not just a treat for the taste buds but also provides some nutritional goodness! Each slice contains approximately 180 calories, with 7g of fat and 3g of protein. You’ll also find about 28g of carbohydrates, including 12g of sugar. Keep in mind that these values are estimates, so it’s always good to enjoy in moderation as part of your festive feasting!
FAQ Section
Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?
While I absolutely love the sweetness and chewiness of dried fruits in this recipe, you can use fresh fruit if you prefer! Just keep in mind that fresh fruit has a higher water content, which may alter the bread’s texture a bit. If you go this route, I recommend reducing the amount of milk slightly to compensate.
How should I store leftovers?
To keep your holiday breakfast breads fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the fridge for up to a week. Just remember to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best taste!
Can the recipe be doubled?
Absolutely! If you’re expecting a crowd or just want to have more delightful breads on hand, feel free to double the recipe. Just make sure you use two loaf pans, and keep an eye on the baking time—larger batches might need a few extra minutes in the oven. Happy baking!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your holiday breakfast breads fresh and delicious, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to enjoy them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. When you’re ready to indulge again, simply slice a piece and pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to warm it up. If you prefer, you can also toast it lightly in a toaster or oven to bring back that fresh-baked goodness. Enjoy every bite!
Print
Holiday Breakfast Breads: 5 Ways to Delight Your Mornings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful assortment of holiday breakfast breads perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup dried fruits (raisins, cranberries)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
- Fold in dried fruits.
- Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Best served warm.
- Optionally top with powdered sugar or glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Holiday breakfast breads