Italian Christmas Bread
A fragrant Italian Christmas bread with raisins, candied fruit, and almonds, flavored with anise and vanilla. Perfect for holiday gatherings and festive celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (105-115°F) ⓘ
- 1 package active dry yeast ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon honey ⓘ
- 3/8 teaspoon liquid artificial sweetener or 1 tablespoon sugar ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 3 cups sifted flour ⓘ
- 1/3 cup seedless raisins ⓘ
- 1/4 cup diced candied fruit mixture ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon anise extract ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract ⓘ
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Add honey, artificial sweetener or sugar, salt, butter, and half the flour.
- Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed or 300 strokes by hand.
- Add remaining flour to fruit and nuts, then add to yeast mixture along with anise and vanilla extracts.
- Blend well until combined.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Stir down the batter.
- Spread the batter into two well-buttered 1-pound coffee cans.
- Let rise until the batter reaches 3/4 inch from the top of the cans.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 40 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using whole milk instead of water for dissolving the yeast. If you don't have candied fruit, dried fruit like apricots or figs can work well as substitutes. Ensure your yeast is fresh for the best rise, and if you prefer, you can use olive oil instead of butter for a more traditional Italian flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Italian Christmas Bread is delightful on its own or served with a spread of butter or cream cheese. It pairs beautifully with Italian Baked Fish for a festive meal. Consider serving it alongside a warm beverage or as part of a brunch spread, where it can complement other Italian recipes like Cinnamon Hazelnut Biscotti.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to three months. To reheat, simply place the bread in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Italian Christmas Bread contains roughly 366 calories, with 3g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (10% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 3g 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
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
The bread is done when it is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also use an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature should reach about 190°F (88°C) when fully baked.
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).