There is something utterly magical about the warm aroma and tender crumb of an Italian Christmas Bread Recipe that brings the holiday spirit right into your kitchen. This delightfully soft, lightly sweet bread, generously studded with dried fruit and candied citrus peel, is a traditional treat that has been enjoyed in Italian households for generations. Whether paired with a steaming cup of coffee or a glass of dessert wine, this bread offers a festive flavor and texture that’s sure to charm everyone around your table. If you’re looking to add a truly authentic touch of Italy to your holiday baking, this recipe is an absolute must-try.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Italian Christmas Bread Recipe lies in its simple yet carefully selected ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating the soft, rich texture and the fine balance of sweetness and tang from the dried fruit and candied peel. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bread flour: Provides the perfect structure for that soft, chewy crumb essential to this bread.
- Active dry yeast: Helps your dough rise beautifully, bringing lightness and airiness.
- Warm milk: Moisturizes the dough while activating the yeast gently.
- Sugar: Adds just the right hint of sweetness to keep the bread festive without overpowering it.
- Butter, softened: Enriches the dough with a tender, buttery flavor and delightfully soft texture.
- Eggs: Contribute to the bread’s richness and gorgeous golden color.
- Dried fruit or raisins: Sweet bursts of chewy fruit that bring classic holiday warmth.
- Candied citrus peel: Adds a subtly tangy and fragrant kick that’s unmistakably festive.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with a cozy, familiar sweetness.
- Salt: Balances all the sweet flavors and enhances the overall taste.
How to Make Italian Christmas Bread Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by dissolving the active dry yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. This gentle mixture wakes up the yeast and ensures your bread will rise with a wonderful, light texture. Let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until frothy and bubbling on the surface.
Step 2: Mix In the Wet Ingredients
Once your yeast mixture is ready, stir in the remaining sugar, softened butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Mixing these ingredients together creates a rich base that gives your bread a tender crumb and subtle sweetness.
Step 3: Add Flour and Knead
Gradually add the bread flour to the wet mixture, stirring until the dough starts to come together. Then, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it until smooth and elastic. This kneading process is key to developing gluten that provides the bread’s soft yet structured texture.
Step 4: Fold in the Dried Fruit and Candied Peel
Gently fold in your dried fruit and candied citrus peel. These colorful bits not only add bursts of flavor but create that classic Italian Christmas Bread look and taste everyone adores. Be careful not to overwork the dough at this stage to keep the fruit evenly distributed throughout.
Step 5: Let the Dough Rise
Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size. This can take about 1 to 1½ hours depending on the temperature of your kitchen, but the wait is well worth it for that perfectly airy loaf.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Once risen, shape the dough into a tall loaf and place it into a panettone mold or a tall bread pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 35 to 40 minutes, until the crust has turned a beautiful golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Step 7: Cool Before Slicing
Allow the Italian Christmas Bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This cooling step lets the flavors settle and prevents the crumb from becoming gummy. Then you’ll be ready to enjoy every tender bite!
How to Serve Italian Christmas Bread Recipe
Garnishes
The Italian Christmas Bread is lovely on its own, but you can elevate its presentation by dusting it with powdered sugar or drizzling a light glaze made from lemon juice and powdered sugar. For an extra indulgent touch, a spread of softened butter or mascarpone cheese enhances the bread’s richness beautifully.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs wonderfully with warm beverages that complement its warm flavors. Serve alongside a cup of rich espresso or a glass of sweet dessert wine like Vin Santo for an authentic holiday treat. Alternatively, a bowl of fresh fruit or a simple cheese platter sharpens the flavors and rounds out the experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive centerpiece, consider slicing the bread and arranging it in a circular pattern on a platter, garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries for holiday cheer. You can also create elegant mini sandwiches by layering slices with ricotta and honey or your favorite nut butter for a delightful take on this traditional bread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Italian Christmas Bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to keep it moist and fresh for several days. Its soft texture holds up well at room temperature, making it perfect for enjoying a slice each day during the holidays.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this festive treat well beyond the season, freeze slices in a sealed freezer bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. It freezes beautifully and can be thawed overnight in the fridge or toasted straight from frozen for a warm, fresh taste.
Reheating
Reheat slices gently in a toaster or oven set to a low temperature to revive the bread’s delightful softness while keeping the crust slightly crisp. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread rubbery, and you want every bite to remain as tender and flavorful as the day it was baked.
FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
While you can substitute all-purpose flour, bread flour is preferable because it has a higher protein content, which helps develop gluten and gives the Italian Christmas Bread its characteristic chewy and soft texture. Using all-purpose flour may result in a slightly denser loaf.
What dried fruits work best in this recipe?
Traditional choices include raisins, currants, or chopped dried cherries, but you can experiment with dried cranberries, apricots, or even a mix of your favorites. Just make sure to chop larger fruits so they incorporate evenly into the dough without weighing it down.
Is candied citrus peel essential?
Candied citrus peel adds a unique brightness and texture to the bread that is part of its classic flavor profile. If you can’t find it, you might substitute with fresh orange or lemon zest, though the taste and texture will be different. The candied peel brings that traditional festive touch you won’t want to miss!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough, let it rise once, then refrigerate it overnight before shaping and baking the next day. This slow fermentation can enhance the bread’s flavor, making it even more delicious while saving you time on the day of serving.
How should I store Italian Christmas Bread to keep it fresh?
Keep the bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. It keeps best when not exposed to air, which can dry it out. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet to maintain freshness.
Final Thoughts
Baking this Italian Christmas Bread Recipe is like inviting a warm slice of Italian holiday tradition into your home. Its tender crumb, fragrant sweetness, and festive fruit make it a beloved treat that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try this recipe and create your own joyful moments around the table, savoring every wonderful bite of this holiday classic.
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Italian Christmas Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 servings)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic Italian-style Christmas bread, this festive loaf is lightly sweetened, soft, and studded with dried fruit and candied citrus peel. Traditionally enjoyed during the holidays with coffee or dessert wine, it brings a warm, aromatic touch to any celebration.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ½ cup sugar, divided
- 1 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Fruits
- 1 cup dried fruit or raisins
- ½ cup candied citrus peel
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let sit for about 5–10 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining sugar, eggs, softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
- Add Flour and Knead: Gradually add the bread flour to the wet mixture, mixing as you go, until a dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Incorporate Fruits: Gently fold in the dried fruit and candied citrus peel evenly throughout the dough.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1½ hours.
- Shape Dough: After rising, gently punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf. Place it in a tall pan or a traditional panettone mold for support during baking.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the bread for 35–40 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to prevent crumbling.
Notes
- Serve the bread plain or lightly toasted for breakfast or dessert.
- Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh; it keeps well for several days at room temperature.
- For a richer flavor, you may brush the crust with melted butter right after baking.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of dried fruits such as cherries, cranberries, or apricots for variety.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
