Holiday Bread Recipes For Bread Machine That Wow

The holiday season is a special time to gather with loved ones, share stories, and of course, enjoy delicious food. One of the most comforting and festive treats you can prepare is homemade holiday bread.

Using a bread machine makes this process incredibly simple and foolproof, allowing even beginner bakers to create warm, aromatic loaves that fill your home with the scent of the season. From spiced fruit breads to sweet nutty loaves, holiday bread recipes for the bread machine bring tradition and taste together effortlessly.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply enjoy a cozy breakfast, these recipes are perfect for adding a touch of holiday magic to your table. Plus, making bread in a machine saves time and mess, so you can focus on what really matters – celebrating and creating memories.

Let’s dive into some fantastic holiday bread recipes that your bread machine will love as much as your family does!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Holiday bread recipes for bread machines are a game-changer during the busy festive season. They combine convenience with the joy of homemade baking, offering perfectly kneaded dough, ideal rising, and even baking with minimal effort on your part.

The bread machine handles the hard work while you enjoy the anticipation of freshly baked bread.

These recipes are versatile, allowing you to customize flavors with seasonal spices, nuts, dried fruits, and sweet glazes. Plus, the aroma of warm bread wafting through your kitchen is unbeatable and instantly festive.

Whether you want a sweet bread for dessert or a savory loaf to accompany your holiday meals, bread machines deliver consistent, delicious results every time.

Ingredients

• 3 cups bread flour – provides the perfect structure for your bread
• 1/4 cup sugar – adds sweetness and helps with browning
• 1 tsp salt – balances flavor
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast – essential for rising
• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F) – hydrates the dough
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened – adds richness and tenderness
• 2 eggs – bind and enrich the bread
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon – for warm holiday spice
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg – adds depth of flavor
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds) – for crunch and texture
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins – for bursts of natural sweetness
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup – optional glaze or added sweetness

Equipment

• Bread machine with a 2-pound loaf capacity
• Measuring cups and spoons for accuracy
• Mixing bowl (if prepping add-ins separately)
• Spatula or wooden spoon for mixing and scraping
• Cooling rack to cool the bread after baking
• Optional: Pastry brush for applying glaze

Instructions

1. Prepare your bread machine: Make sure the pan is clean and the kneading paddle is properly attached.
2. Add wet ingredients first: Pour warm milk, softened butter, and eggs into the bread pan. This helps prevent yeast from activating too soon.
3. Add dry ingredients: Sprinkle bread flour evenly over the liquid. Add sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg on top of the flour in separate corners of the pan to keep them apart.
4. Add yeast: Make a small well in the flour and add the active dry yeast. Ensure the yeast does not touch the wet ingredients directly.
5. Select the bread setting: Choose the “Sweet Bread” or “Basic” cycle on your bread machine, and select the crust color you prefer (medium is ideal for holiday bread).
6. Start the machine: Turn on the bread machine and let it knead and bake the bread. This usually takes about 3-4 hours depending on your machine.
7. Add nuts and dried fruit: When your machine signals (usually during the kneading or first rise), add the chopped nuts and dried cranberries or raisins.
8. Cool the bread: Once baking is complete, remove the bread carefully and place it on a cooling rack. Allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
9. Optional glaze: Mix honey or maple syrup with a little warm water and brush lightly over the warm bread for a shiny, sweet finish.
10. Serve and enjoy! Slice your holiday bread and share with family and friends.

Tips & Variations

Tip: Always add ingredients in the recommended order (liquids first, then dry, yeast last) to ensure the best rise and texture.

Variation: For a festive twist, add orange zest and chopped candied ginger instead of dried fruits. Or try swapping half the milk for orange juice for a citrusy note.

Tip: If your bread machine doesn’t have a fruit/nut dispenser, add these ingredients manually during the kneading phase to avoid crushing.

Variation: For a savory holiday bread, omit sugar and spices, and add rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder with chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This holiday bread is perfect served warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese. It pairs wonderfully with hot beverages like coffee, tea, or mulled cider.

You can also slice and toast it for breakfast, topped with jam or honey for a sweet start to your day.

For a festive brunch, serve alongside scrambled eggs and roasted vegetables for a hearty meal. The sweet-spiced flavors also complement cheese plates and charcuterie boards during holiday gatherings.

Looking for more festive baking inspiration? Check out our Best Vegan Holiday Cookie Recipe for Festive Treats or try a comforting Best Vegan Christmas Pudding Recipe for Festive Joy.

Holiday Bread Recipes for Bread Machine: A Festive Listicle

Classic Cinnamon Raisin Holiday Bread

A timeless holiday bread featuring warm cinnamon and juicy raisins. This bread is soft, sweet, and perfect for breakfast or dessert.

• Ingredients: Bread flour, cinnamon, raisins, sugar, butter, milk, yeast, eggs.
• Tip: Add a cinnamon sugar swirl before baking if your bread machine supports this feature.

Cranberry Orange Walnut Holiday Bread

This festive loaf combines tart dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and fresh orange zest for a bright holiday flavor.

• Ingredients: Bread flour, dried cranberries, walnuts, orange zest, honey, yeast, butter, milk.
• Variation: Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different texture.

Spiced Apple and Pecan Bread

Chopped apples and toasted pecans mingle with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for a cozy holiday treat.

• Ingredients: Bread flour, apples (peeled and diced), pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, milk, yeast.
• Tip: Use dried apples if you want a less moist dough.

Savory Herb and Cheese Holiday Bread

For those who prefer savory over sweet, this bread features rosemary, thyme, garlic, and sharp cheddar cheese.

• Ingredients: Bread flour, fresh herbs, shredded cheese, garlic powder, yeast, milk, butter.
• Serving suggestion: Great alongside holiday soups or stews.

Gingerbread Loaf with Molasses Glaze

This rich, spiced bread brings all the flavors of gingerbread, baked right in your bread machine.

• Ingredients: Bread flour, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, brown sugar, yeast.
• Glaze: Mix powdered sugar and molasses for a sweet topping.

Discover More Delicious Recipes

For more delightful holiday and everyday recipes, explore our collection:

• Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping
• Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious
• Best Vegan Holiday Cookie Recipe for Festive Treats

Conclusion

Holiday bread recipes for the bread machine are a wonderful way to bring warmth and festive cheer to your kitchen with minimal fuss. These recipes allow you to customize flavors, experiment with sweet and savory options, and enjoy the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home.

Whether you’re serving guests or treating your family, homemade holiday bread adds a special touch to any celebration.

With the bread machine doing the heavy lifting, you save time while delivering delicious, bakery-quality bread. Dive into these recipes and create new holiday traditions that everyone will look forward to year after year.

For more inspiration on easy and tasty meals, don’t forget to check out our other recipes like Chinese Vegetarian Nasi Lemak Recipe Made Easy and Delicious and Best Vegan Christmas Pudding Recipe for Festive Joy.

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