Holiday Prune Butter Bread
A flavorful holiday bread featuring sweet prune butter, warm spices, and walnuts, perfect for festive gatherings and breakfast delights with comforting, aromatic notes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup lightly packed pitted prunes ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons honey ⓘ
- 3 to 3.5 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 package active dry yeast ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom ⓘ
- 1 cup milk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup margarine or butter ⓘ
- 1/3 cup sugar ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 2 cups whole wheat flour ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped walnuts ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ⓘ
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine prunes, lemon juice, and 3/4 cup of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in honey.
- Cool the prune mixture and transfer to a food processor.
- Process until smooth and cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, yeast, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, sugar, and salt.
- Warm milk and margarine or butter until melted and slightly cooled.
- Add eggs and vanilla to the milk mixture and whisk together.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing well.
- Incorporate the prune butter and chopped walnuts into the dough.
- Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf.
- Place in a greased loaf pan and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider substituting brown sugar for white sugar in the dough. You can also replace half of the all-purpose flour with almond flour for a nutty twist. If you don't have prunes, applesauce can be used as a substitute, though the texture will differ slightly. Make sure to knead the dough thoroughly for the best rise.
Serving Suggestions
This Holiday Prune Butter Bread pairs beautifully with a warm cup of tea or coffee. Serve it sliced with a spread of butter or cream cheese for breakfast or as a snack. You can also enjoy it with a side of Grilled Tomato Halves for a balanced meal or as part of a brunch spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm slices in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday Prune Butter Bread contains roughly 537 calories, with 8g protein, 104g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (87% of the Daily Value), calcium (41% of the Daily Value), and iron (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and vitamin C. It also contributes 24g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different nuts in this recipe?
Yes, you can easily substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds if you prefer. Just chop them roughly and incorporate them into the dough as directed. Each nut will add a different flavor profile and texture to the bread, so feel free to experiment!
How can I tell when the bread is done baking?
The bread is done when it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Additionally, inserting a toothpick in the center should come out clean. If it’s undercooked, return it to the oven for a few more minutes, checking frequently to avoid overbaking.
Can I make this bread ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to the first rise, then punch it down and refrigerate it overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature before shaping and proceeding with the second rise. This will enhance the flavors and make it great for holiday gatherings.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).