The holiday season brings a sense of joy, warmth, and, of course, delicious food. For many, nothing completes the perfect holiday gathering like a freshly baked loaf or cake that fills the home with tantalizing aromas. In this guide, we explore a variety of festive recipes that range from sweet, zesty cranberry creations to rich, spiced gingerbread treats. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, attending a festive party, or simply indulging in a moment of self-care, these baked goods are sure to bring cheer to your kitchen and your table.
1. Cranberry Orange Bread
A delightful combination of tart cranberries and citrusy orange, this Cranberry Orange Bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a holiday treat. The fresh berries and vibrant orange zest provide a burst of flavor that balances the sweetness of the sugar.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Prepare wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together orange juice, oil, orange zest, and egg.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Add cranberries: Gently fold in cranberries.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
This recipe is simple yet flavorful, capturing the essence of the season with every bite. The tartness of cranberries and the refreshing citrus notes from orange juice and zest make this bread a festive favorite.
2. Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf
If you’re looking for a bread that combines richness and brightness, the Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf is an excellent choice. The creamy texture from the cream cheese blends beautifully with the tart cranberries, making this loaf a perfect holiday dessert.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a loaf pan.
- Cream butter, sugar, and cream cheese: Beat together until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Add cranberries and lemon zest: Fold them into the batter.
- Bake: Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the bread cool before slicing.
This loaf is delightfully moist, and the cream cheese adds a velvety richness. The cranberries and lemon zest add a fresh, tart twist, making this bread an unforgettable treat.
3. Cranberry Brie Sourdough Pull-Apart Bread
If you’re searching for a savory option to complement the sweet treats on your holiday table, this Cranberry Brie Sourdough Pull-Apart Bread is perfect. The gooey melted Brie, combined with sweet cranberries and a hint of rosemary, creates a savory and sweet masterpiece.
Ingredients:
- 1 round sourdough bread (unsliced)
- 8 oz Brie cheese, cut into small pieces
- ½ cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp orange zest
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the bread: Cut off the top of the sourdough bread and hollow out the inside, leaving about 1 inch of bread around the edges.
- Stuff the bread: Fill the hollowed-out bread with Brie cheese and chopped cranberries.
- Add honey and butter: Drizzle honey over the cheese and cranberries, then brush the top of the bread with melted butter.
- Season: Sprinkle with rosemary, salt, pepper, and orange zest.
- Bake: Wrap the bread in foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread is toasted.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and enjoy while warm, pulling apart the bread to enjoy the gooey filling.
This bread is a fun and interactive dish that will impress guests and make for a memorable holiday appetizer. The tanginess of the cranberries, the creaminess of the Brie, and the freshness of the rosemary work harmoniously to create an unforgettable flavor combination.
4. Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Buttercream Frosting
Nothing says the holidays quite like the warm spices of gingerbread. This Gingerbread Loaf Cake with Buttercream Frosting is a perfect blend of rich molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, topped with a decadent buttercream frosting.
Gingerbread Cake Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 cup softened butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: Beat together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in molasses and vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, until fully incorporated.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make frosting: Beat butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar. Stir in heavy cream, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Frost the cake: Once the cake has cooled, spread a generous layer of buttercream frosting on top.
This cake is rich, spiced, and topped with a creamy frosting that will leave you craving more. The combination of molasses and spices creates the perfect holiday flavor, making this loaf a true showstopper.
5. Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread
This Southern-inspired Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread is moist and filled with the nutty richness of pecans and the sweetness of ripe bananas. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a comforting, nut-filled bread.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cream butter and sugar: Beat together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Mix wet ingredients: Add mashed bananas and buttermilk to the bowl and mix until combined.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients.
- Add pecans: Fold in chopped pecans.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool: Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
This bread is moist, nutty, and subtly sweet, with the perfect balance of banana and pecan flavor. It’s a comforting loaf that’s great for any holiday breakfast or brunch.
6. Festive Christmas Funfetti Cake
This colorful and festive Christmas Funfetti Cake is an easy and cheerful treat that brings joy to both the eyes and the taste buds. The red and green sprinkles make it perfect for the holiday season, while the mini chocolate chips add a touch of sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup red and green sprinkles
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 cup whipped frosting
- Extra sprinkles for decorating
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the cake batter: In a bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Fold in sprinkles: Add the red and green sprinkles, and fold them in gently.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
- Frost and decorate: Spread whipped frosting on top of the cooled cake and decorate with extra sprinkles.
This cake is fun, festive, and perfect for any holiday party or celebration. The colorful sprinkles and optional mini chocolate chips create a joyful and delightful dessert everyone will love.
With these six recipes, you’ll have an array of holiday treats that will bring warmth, comfort, and joy to your home. Whether you prefer the tangy sweetness of cranberry, the rich spice of gingerbread, or the nuttiness of pecans, there’s something for everyone in this collection. Happy baking and happy holidays!