Indulge in the spirit of Christmas with a delightful homemade gift loaf, a traditional treat that exudes warmth and love. Experience the magic of baking with three tempting recipes: the classic Christmas Gift Loaf, a rich and flavorful fruitcake studded with a medley of candied fruits, nuts, and spices; the Orange-Cranberry Gift Loaf, a vibrant and tangy twist with the zest of oranges and the tartness of cranberries; and the indulgent Chocolate-Walnut Gift Loaf, a decadent symphony of chocolate and walnuts, sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Embrace the Christmas spirit and share the joy of homemade goodness with your loved ones.
Let's cook with our recipes!
LAST-MINUTE CHRISTMAS LOAF CAKE
Unexpected guests and no Christmas cake to serve? This last-minute loaf tastes as if it had been made in November. Decorate with a snow shower of icing sugar
Provided by Tom Kerridge
Categories Afternoon tea, Dessert, Treat
Time 1h40m
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Tip the fruit and peel into a bowl with the orange juice and zest and 150ml of the brandy. Stir well, then leave in a warm place for 2 hrs for the fruit to plump up.
- Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 4. Brush a 900g loaf tin with the melted butter, then line with baking parchment. Beat the muscovado sugar and butter until light and fluffy, then add the eggs one at a time. Mix in the fruit and the rest of the ingredients except for the remaining brandy and icing sugar. Spoon the mixture into the loaf tin, put the tin in a deep tray and bake for 1 hr 15 mins-1 hr 30 mins or until a skewer prodded in comes out clean. Remove from the oven and immediately pour over the brandy (this makes it easier for the cake to soak it up). Leave to cool, then dust with icing sugar, if using.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 518 calories, Fat 17 grams fat, SaturatedFat 7 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 67 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 52 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 7 grams protein, Sodium 0.7 milligram of sodium
CHRISTMAS GIFT LOAF
Great Holiday loaf with pumpkin, nuts, chocolate chips and icing. Doubling the batch will yield three 8x4 inch loaves.
Provided by Sharon K Grams
Categories Fruits and Vegetables Vegetables Squash
Time 1h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the sugar mixture alternately with the pumpkin puree, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips and 3/4 cup of the walnuts until evenly distributed. Spoon into the prepared loaf pan, and sprinkle the remaining walnuts over the top.
- Bake for 65 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean. Cool, then remove from the pan, and drizzle with icing.
- To make the icing, stir together the confectioners' sugar and heavy cream with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg until smooth.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 359.4 calories, Carbohydrate 43.1 g, Cholesterol 54.7 mg, Fat 20.4 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 8.9 g, Sodium 307.9 mg, Sugar 27.8 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your loaf. Look for fresh, ripe fruits and nuts, and use good-quality spices.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the loaf tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Bake the loaf at the right temperature. The ideal temperature for baking a Christmas gift loaf is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you bake it at a higher temperature, the loaf will brown too quickly and the inside will be raw.
- Let the loaf cool completely before slicing it. This will help to prevent the loaf from crumbling.
- Store the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature. The loaf will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Christmas gift loaves are a delicious and festive way to show your loved ones how much you care. With a little planning and effort, you can make a loaf that they will cherish for years to come. So get creative and have fun! Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to find the perfect combination for your loved ones.
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