food
Whether you like your carbs savory or sweet
By Katherine Gillen
•
Published Sep 21, 2023
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
’Tis the season of warm kitchens, flour-dusted aprons and the scent ofcinnamonandsugarlingering in the air. In many cultures,holiday bakingrevolves around sweet breads, which are great to give as gifts or serve warm from the oven the morning of December 25th. Presenting 30 of our favorite sweet (and savory) Christmas bread recipes.
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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
1.Sugared Holiday Bread
Soft and buttery on the inside, sweet and crunchy on the outside (and the leftovers make excellentFrench toast).
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Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell
2.Pumpkin Brioche
Who says pumpkin is just for the fall? This gorgeous brioche begs to differ. If you leave the sugar topping off, it doubles as a savory loaf.
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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
3.Chocolate Pinecone Rolls
Breakfast doesn’t get any better, especially when it’s dusted in a layer of confectioners’ sugar “snow.”
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
4.Holiday Baked Brie
Our two favorite food groups, together at last. (Use store-bought dough for the bread “wreath” and don’t tell a soul.)
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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
5.Pumpkin Spice Pecan Rolls
We’ll admit we’re in it for the cream cheese frosting. Aren’t you?Canned pumpkinpuree gives the dough a gorgeous hue and keeps it soft.
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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
6.Mini Cranberry, Pistachio and Chocolate Panettone
It’s light, airy, moist and flecked with festive cranberries,pistachiosand chocolate.
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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
7.Giant Cinnamon Roll
This isdefinitelyone of those times when more is more. Psst: The recipe starts with store-bought crescent dough.
8.Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread
We’ll never turn down a treat with cinnamon streusel on top. (But if you want plaincranberrybread, simply leave it off.)
9.Homemade Cinnamon Roll Pull-Apart Bread
We’ve found the key to winning Christmasmorning. The design looks intricate, but all you need is a pair of scissors to make it.
10.Star Bread
This gorgeous treat is filled withNutella, but you could try cinnamon sugar or jam too.
11.Christmas Tea Ring with Raspberry Cream Cheese Filling
It’s aScandinaviantradition to serve this on Christmas, and why not? It’s delicious.
Katherine Gillen
12.Gingerbread Loaf
You know what? Let’s topeverythingwith cream cheese frosting. This loaf is flavored with a classic blend of spices for the most nostalgic effect, but feel free to adjust the amounts as you see fit.
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13.Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath
We only care about the holiday centerpiece if it’s fully edible—and this one is.
14.Eggnog Pull-Apart Bread
Scones, shmones. We’re serving this on Christmas morning with a steaming pot ofcoffee.
15.Cranberry Brie Focaccia Bread
You’re going to need something to pair with that holidaycheese board. Hint, hint…
16.Pull-Apart Christmas Bread
Rudolph is gonna love this one. The effect is created with one dough, a touch of cocoa powder and a bit of food coloring.
17.Pull-Apart Cinnamon Pecan Rolls
If monkey bread andpecan piehad a (really tasty) baby, this would be it.
18.Eggnog Bread
The only thing that could possibly make it more irresistible? Aneggnogglaze. This recipe delivers on both fronts.
19.Cranberry White Chocolate Sticky Buns
Yes, they’resweet. But that’s what Christmas is all about.
20.Herb and Cheese Braided Star Bread
It’s called carb art—ever heard of it? Take it way over the top with a side ofhoneyor jam for dipping.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
21.Braided Apple Danish Loaf
The braiding technique will make you look like a pro, even though it’s secretly really simple.
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22.Cinnamon Roll Wreath
Deck the halls with boughs of butter and sugar, please and thank you. Make the dough the night before and this wreath will be a breeze.
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23.Earl Grey Buns
They’re even cozier than a cup of tea. (Psst: Don’t love Earl Grey? Swap it for a plain loose-leaf blacktea.)
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24.Snowflake Pull-Apart Monkey Bread
Hands down, this sticky-sweet, cinnamon bread is our favorite kind of snowflake.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
25.Pull-Apart Bread with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese
Each piece of the soft, buttery dough is stuffed with a creamy mixture of caramelized onions,goat cheeseand herbs. It’s best served warm by a twinkling Christmas tree.
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Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
26.Swedish Cinnamon Rolls
They’re so beautiful, yet so easy to pull off—strips of dough are twisted and formed into a simple knot shape that looks super impressive.
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27.Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
It’s like eatingcookiesfor breakfast, and what could be bad about that?
28.Salted Butter Candy Cane Bagels
Are they traditional? No. Are they adorable? Absolutely. Better yet, they taste like a cross between a bagel and a soft pretzel.
29.Finnish Cardamom Bread (Pulla)
This one is a buttery, sweet Finnish tradition, and it has “holiday breakfast” written all over it.
30.Fruit and Berry Christmas Bread
Eat, drink and be merry. (And go ahead, eat some more.)
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Katherine Gillen
Senior Food Editor
Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...
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