Best 5 Grandmas Christmas Bread Recipes

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Indulge in the sweet nostalgia of Grandma's Christmas Bread, a timeless treat passed down through generations. This delectable bread is a quintessential part of holiday celebrations, its warm, inviting aroma filling the air with cheer. Prepared with simple, wholesome ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, this classic recipe yields a tender, slightly dense crumb that perfectly complements the vibrant flavors of candied fruits, nuts, and spices. Embark on a culinary journey with us as we explore two variations of this cherished Christmas tradition: the original version, bursting with a medley of candied fruits and pecans, and a delightful orange-cranberry twist, where citrusy sweetness harmonizes with tart cranberries. Both variations promise a taste of holiday magic, evoking cherished memories and creating new ones to treasure for years to come.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

GRANDMA'S CHRISTMAS BREAD



Grandma's Christmas Bread image

For as long as I can remember, this bread has been a part of my family's traditional Christmas morning breakfast. I modified the recipe so I could make it in a bread machine. - Barb and Ray Schmeling, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 3h10m

Yield 1 loaf (about 2 pounds).

Number Of Ingredients 16

1-1/4 cups warm whole milk (70° to 80°)
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3/4 cup golden raisins
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried currants
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
GLAZE:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons 2% milk
1 teaspoon butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In bread machine pan, place the first seven ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size if available. Bake according to bread machine directions (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed)., Just before the final kneading (your bread machine may audibly signal this), add the raisins, currants and lemon zest. In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over cooled bread.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 178 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 250mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

GRANDMA RUSSELL'S BREAD



Grandma Russell's Bread image

I remember as a child always smelling fresh homemade bread and rolls whenever I walked into Grandma's house. The warm slices were delicious and melted in my mouth! -Janet Polito, Nampa, Idaho

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup sugar, divided
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup mashed potatoes
2 large eggs, room temperature, beaten
5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine yeast, warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar. In a saucepan, heat milk, butter, salt and remaining sugar until butter is melted. Remove from heat; stir in potatoes until smooth. Cool to lukewarm; add eggs and mix well., Beat potato mixture and 5 cups flour into yeast mixture until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours., Punch down dough and divide in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half into a 16x8-in. rectangle. Brush with melted butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over butter. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a short side; pinch seam to seal. Place in 2 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake loaves until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if tops brown too quickly. Remove from pans to wire racks; serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 208 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 35mg cholesterol, Sodium 387mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

CHRISTMAS BREAD



Christmas Bread image

Meet the Cook: Some of my friends prefer this slightly sweet bread to fruitcake. My family enjoys it at Christmastime. I'll make it for potlucks, too, and I've found that friends like it for brunch and breakfast. Recently, my husband and I marked our golden anniversary. We're the parents of two and grandparents of two. -Betty Jean McLaughlin, La Vista, Nebraska

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 1 loaf.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
4 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup chopped mixed candied fruit
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Additional candied fruit, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the evaporated milk, sugar, shortening, salt, eggs and 2 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Stir in mixed candied fruit and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (do not knead). , Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/4 hours. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 3-4 minutes. Pat evenly into a greased 10-in. tube pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled, about 45 minutes. , Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to cool on a wire rack. , Combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency; drizzle over bread. Garnish with additional candied fruit if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 214 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 87mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

GRANDMOTHER'S FAMOUS CRANBERRY BREAD



Grandmother's Famous Cranberry Bread image

This is a delicious bread with golden raisins and cranberries. It's perfect for Thanksgiving or any special holiday.

Provided by Mim Harris

Categories     Bread     Quick Bread Recipes     Fruit Bread Recipes     Cranberry Bread Recipes

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup butter
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon orange zest
¾ cup orange juice
1 ½ cups golden raisins
1 ½ cups chopped cranberries

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray or grease one 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
  • Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
  • Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add egg, orange peel, and orange juice; stir to mix and fold in raisins and cranberries.
  • Pour into loaf pan and bake for 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 248.7 calories, Carbohydrate 50.5 g, Cholesterol 25.7 mg, Fat 4.6 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 3.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 343.3 mg, Sugar 29.3 g

GRANDMA'S CHRISTMAS BREAD



Grandma's Christmas Bread image

We love making this bread from Thanksgiving to New Years. It's great for gift baskets and it makes the kitchen/house smell like Christmas!

Provided by Christina McAtarian

Categories     Other Breads

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 c sugar
1 c water
1 c raisins
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 c shortening
1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp cocoa dissolved in 1/4 cup water
2 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 c walnuts (optional)
15 oz crushed pineapple
16 oz cream cheese

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
  • 2. Lightly grease and flour 9x5 inch loaf pan.
  • 3. Combine sugar, 1 cup water, raisins, cinnamon, cloves, salt and shortening in a small saucepan. Cook and stir constantly over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat, allow to cool to room temperature.
  • 4. Add baking soda mixture, cocoa mixture, flour, baking powder and nuts to cooled mixture. Combine well. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
  • 5. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.
  • 6. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes. Then turn out on wire rack.
  • 7. Combine crushed pineapple and cream cheese. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • 8. When bread is cooled cut into slices and top each slice with cream cheese spread. Enjoy!

Tips:

  • Use fresh and high-quality ingredients for the best results.
  • Don't overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough bread.
  • If you don't have a bread machine, you can mix and knead the dough by hand.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
  • Bake the bread at a moderate temperature until it is golden brown and cooked through.
  • Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Conclusion:

Grandma's Christmas Bread is a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for the holiday season. With its sweet and tangy flavor, this bread is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table. If you're looking for a special bread to make for Christmas, this recipe is a great option.

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