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.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
944
kcal
47% DV
Protein
Fat
Carbs
Diet fit
High-protein
High-fiber
Contains
Milk
Wheat/Gluten
Tree nuts
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).
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).