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Christmas Fruit Bread close up photo of one sliced loaf of bread

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.

Course Bread, Dessert
Cuisine Newfoundland, North American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 30 or more servings
Calories 229 kcal
Author Barry C. Parsons

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 cut in quarters

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Add the melted butter, warm milk, eggs and vanilla extract.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Punch the dough down and knead in the mixed fruit by hand for a few minutes.
  7. To make a wreath, divide dough in 3 equal portions and roll the dough into 3 equally long strands about 18 inches or longer.

  8. Braid the strands together and form into a circle, tucking one end of the dough under the other and pinching the ends together.
  9. 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. )
  10. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for about 25 -30 minutes or until golden brown.
  11. 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.

Recipe 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.