Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our Christmas Loaf, a timeless classic that captures the joyous spirit of the holiday season. This delectable treat, deeply rooted in tradition, has been passed down through generations, symbolizing unity, love, and goodwill. As you embark on this baking adventure, you'll discover a collection of carefully curated recipes that cater to diverse dietary preferences and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, our comprehensive guide will lead you every step of the way to create a masterpiece that will be the star of your festive table. From the classic Rich Fruit Loaf, bursting with an array of dried fruits and citrus zest, to the indulgent Chocolate Orange Loaf, infused with rich cocoa and zesty orange notes, our recipes offer a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. For those seeking a healthier alternative, the Spiced Carrot Loaf, brimming with aromatic spices and the natural sweetness of carrots, provides a guilt-free indulgence. And for those with gluten sensitivities, the Gluten-Free Christmas Loaf offers a delightful variation that doesn't compromise on taste or texture. With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and variations to suit your preferences, our Christmas Loaf recipes promise an unforgettable baking experience. Gather your loved ones, crank up the holiday tunes, and let the aroma of freshly baked Christmas Loaf fill your home with warmth and cheer.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
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
A CHRISTMAS STORY MEAT LOAF
I've watched the film "A Christmas Story" so many times since I was a kid. Now I have a family of my own, so I re-created the mom's meatloaf and mashed potatoes. -Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°. Place a rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; place a 12x8-in. piece of foil in center of rack. In a large bowl, combine eggs, ketchup, onion, green pepper, crushed saltines, salt and pepper. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Place over foil rectangle and shape into a 9x6-in. loaf. Bake until a thermometer reads 160°, 50-60 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing., Transfer meat loaf to a serving plate, discarding foil. Pipe or spread 1 cup mashed potatoes over meat loaf. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with remaining mashed potatoes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 436 calories, Fat 20g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 132mg cholesterol, Sodium 1105mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 26g protein.
CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY-PERSIMMON LOAF
Moist, chunky, sweet bread with holiday spice! Superb with butter or cream cheese, but delicious on its own.
Provided by Peach McD
Categories Bread Quick Bread Recipes Fruit Bread Recipes Cranberry Bread Recipes
Time 2h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and dust the bottom with flour.
- Mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger, and nutmeg together in a small bowl. Add walnuts and cranberries; toss or mix using your fingers to ensure cranberries don't stick together.
- Whisk eggs, brown sugar, and oil together in a medium bowl until eggs are well beaten. Stir in persimmon pieces followed by flour mixture. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Slide a knife around the sides and slide loaf out onto the rack to finish cooling, 15 to 30 minutes more, before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 262.4 calories, Carbohydrate 33.6 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fat 13.5 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 3.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 217.9 mg, Sugar 16.9 g
CHRISTMAS LOAF
This special bread is filled with good things. It's the perfect Christmas bread. And this makes 2 loaves, in case you want to give one to a neighbor.
Provided by MizzNezz
Categories Quick Breads
Time 1h10m
Yield 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°.
- Grease 2 loaf pans.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla.
- Mix flour, baking soda and salt.
- Add to creamed mixture alternately with bananas.
- Stir in coconut, almonds, cherries and dates.
- Pour into pans.
- Bake for 55 minutes, until pick comes out clean.
- Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pans.
CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY ORANGE LOAF
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a blender,chop pecans and then chop cranberries. Set aside. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in separate bowl. In another bowl, cream sugar and butter together. Add egg, buttermilk, orange zest and vanilla. Combine the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Add the pecans and cranberries to the mix. Put in a loaf pan and cook for 55-60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool for overnight or freeze it for future use. It's delicious!
Tips:
- Choose the Right Loaf Tin: Select a loaf tin that is approximately 9 x 5 inches (23 x 13 cm) in size and 3 inches (8 cm) deep.
- Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients: Ensure that you use the freshest and best quality ingredients for optimal flavor and texture.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar Thoroughly: This step helps to incorporate air into the mixture, resulting in a light and fluffy loaf.
- Gradually Add the Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to prevent curdling.
- Fold in the Fruit Last: Gently fold in the dried fruit, nuts, and spices at the end to distribute them evenly.
- Bake at the Right Temperature: Bake the loaf at a moderate temperature of 325°F (165°C) to ensure that it cooks evenly.
- Cover the Loaf While Baking: Cover the loaf with a sheet of foil during the first half of baking to prevent it from browning too quickly.
- Cool Completely Before Slicing: Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing to ensure that it holds its shape and texture.
Conclusion:
The Christmas loaf is a delightful and versatile treat that can be enjoyed during the festive season. With its moist, flavorful texture and abundance of dried fruit and spices, it is a perfect addition to any holiday gathering. Whether you choose a classic recipe or experiment with different variations, this traditional loaf is sure to bring joy and warmth to your celebrations. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of Christmas cheer.
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