Christmas Fruit Bread, make it as loaves or make it as a wreath. This sweet bread dough braid, formed into a wreath makes the perfect centrepiece for a Christmas Brunch.
Christmas Fruit Bread
Originally published on December 23, 2009.
One of my holiday traditions is a wonderfully sweet-smelling traditional Christmas Fruit Bread wreath. I have been making it for years and it is very similar to the one that I so enjoyed as a child, usually as a loaf.
Back then we made it in loaf pans and I mostly remember devouring it as thick slices of toast with great gobs of melting butter.
Christmas Fruit Bread Wreath
Today, around the Holidays, we enjoy it as a braided wreath, fresh from the oven at a Christmas brunch. The leftovers make a great base for a Christmas Bread Pudding.
Mixed glacé fruit for Fruit Bread.
Many will indeed prefer to make this as loves, as it is more commonly done here in Newfoundland. Toasted, it makes a taste of Christmas every morning of the season.
Christmas Fruit Bread Wreath
Here’s wishing our many loyal readers as well as those new to this little corner of the web, a very happy and safe holiday season.
Christmas Fruit Bread
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Christmas Fruit Bread Wreath
Christmas Fruit Bread Wreath, or make it as loaves. A sweet bread dough braid and formed into a Christmas wreath. The perfect centrepiece for a Christmas Brunch.
Ingredients
- 8 cups flour, approximately
- 1 package instant yeast, about a tbsp
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 cups warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups mixed glacé fruit/peel
- 1 cup glacé cherries, cut in quarters
Instructions
- Combine 3 cups of the flour along with the sugar, instant yeast and salt in a large bowl or in the bowl of a large electric mixer that uses a dough hook.
- Add the melted butter, warm milk, eggs and vanilla extract.
- Using a wooden spoon or the regular paddle of your electric mixer beat for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
- If using an electric mixer, switch to the dough hook at this point and begin to slowly incorporate the remaining flour. If not using an electric mixer keep mixing in the flour gradually until a soft dough forms that leaves the sides of the bowl. You may need to use a little less or a little more flour than indicated in the recipe, this is not uncommon.
- Knead the dough for an additional 10 minutes either in the electric mixer or on a floured bread board or countertop. Cover dough and leave to rest and rise for only 15 minutes.
- Punch the dough down and knead in the mixed fruit and chopped cherries by hand for a few minutes.
As a wreath
- To make a wreath, divide dough in 3 equal portions and roll the dough into 3 equally long strands about 18 inches or longer.
- Braid the strands together and form into a circle, tucking one end of the dough under the other and pinching the ends together.
- Place the wreath onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cover with a clean tea towel and let rise until about triple in size, about 2 hours. ( at this stage you can brush it with egg wash to help it brown if you like. Whisk together 1 egg and 1 tbsp water to make the egg wash, it isn't necessary to use it all. )
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for about 25 -30 minutes or until golden brown.
- If making as loaves, divide dough into 3 portions and form into straight loaves or 3 bun loaves as you see fit. The baking time for loaves is 35 to 40 minutes.
Notes
This recipe will make about 3 small loaves of Fruit Bread if you choose not to make it as a braided wreath. Recipe time does not include rising time.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
30Serving Size
30 or more servingsAmount Per Serving Calories 181Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 22mgSodium 116mgCarbohydrates 31gFiber 1gSugar 4gProtein 5g
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.
Sally
Sunday 22nd of December 2019
Hi Barry.
Can you tell me why the first rise is only 15 min. if you are going to make this into loaves should the first rise be 45 min as it is in your cherry bread? Thanks