The holiday season is a time for cozy moments, warmth, and, of course, indulgent baked goods that bring everyone together. One of the most delightful treats to bake and share during the holidays is a loaf bread. Whether you’re looking for something sweet, tangy, or a little bit festive, these eight loaf recipes will be sure to please your guests and fill your home with delicious aromas. Each recipe offers a unique twist on traditional holiday flavors, from tart cranberries to peppermint, chocolate, and warm spices.
1. Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf
Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Stir until just combined.
- Add Cranberries and Orange Zest: Gently fold in cranberries and orange zest (if using).
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the loaf cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
This cream cheese cranberry loaf combines the richness of cream cheese with the tartness of cranberries, making for a delightful and festive treat. The orange zest adds a touch of citrus that balances the sweetness.
2. Peppermint Hot Cocoa Pull-Apart Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups warm milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions:
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm milk and sugar, stirring in the yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Make Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and peppermint extract. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead: Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth, adding more flour as necessary.
- First Rise: Cover the dough and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
- Prepare Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the crushed peppermint candies and chocolate chips.
- Shape Bread: Roll the dough into a rectangle, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle the peppermint-chocolate mixture. Cut the dough into strips, stack them, and cut into squares. Arrange them in a greased loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Let the dough rise for another 30 minutes before brushing with an egg wash and baking at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes.
- Cool & Serve: Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm for a festive, peppermint-infused treat!
This pull-apart bread is the ultimate cozy winter treat, offering layers of chocolate, peppermint, and buttery goodness that are perfect for sharing.
3. Cranberry Orange Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Stir in chopped cranberries and orange zest.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together orange juice, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and buttermilk.
- Combine: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Fold in walnuts if desired.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
This cranberry orange bread offers a delightful contrast between tart cranberries and fresh orange zest. Its bright flavor profile makes it perfect for breakfast or a holiday brunch.
4. Chocolate Peppermint Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies (for topping)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, oil, eggs, vanilla, and peppermint extract.
- Combine: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Top with Peppermint: Once cooled, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.
This bread is the perfect combination of chocolate and peppermint, making it an ideal dessert for the winter holidays.
5. Cranberry Orange Loaf
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and prepare the loaf pan.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
- Add Orange Juice & Zest: Stir in the orange juice and zest.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients.
- Fold in Cranberries: Add cranberries and mix gently.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55-65 minutes. Let the loaf cool before glazing.
- Glaze: Mix powdered sugar and orange juice for the glaze and drizzle over the cooled loaf.
The Cranberry Orange Loaf is a refreshing, fruity loaf that balances sweet and tart flavors perfectly, topped with a tangy glaze for added zest.
6. Pumpkin Gingerbread Loaf
Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the caramel drizzle:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line the loaf pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then add eggs and mix well.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in pumpkin puree, molasses, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 60-70 minutes.
- Make Caramel Drizzle: Melt sugar in a saucepan until golden, then add butter and cream. Drizzle over cooled loaf.
This pumpkin gingerbread loaf is spiced and comforting, perfect for the fall and winter months.
Each of these 8 holiday loaf recipes brings something unique to your table, from the sweet richness of cream cheese cranberry bread to the festive chocolate peppermint pull-apart bread. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, family breakfast, or cozy afternoon tea, these loaves will fill your home with joy, warmth, and delicious flavors.