When it comes to baked holiday confections, breads and loaves are completely underrated! In most cases, they are easier than baking cakes, are the perfect size for gift-giving, and more importantly, they’re delicious! 22 of the Best Festive Loaves and Breads is a collection with at least one flavour combination to suit every taste or preference!
When it comes to loaves and breads, I think I prefer them over cakes. Today, I’m sharing some of my best with you in this compiled list that I’m called 22 of the Best Festive Loaves and Breads!
In this post, I’m compiling my tried and tested loaf and bread recipes. I say must-try, because I have personally tried every single one of them and I can honestly say that each of them are not only delicious, but unique as well.
LET’S GET TO THE RECIPES!
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As soon as you see a picture of a recipe you think you might like, just click on the green highlighted box that says “CHECK OUT THE RECIPE.” A new window will open in your browser so that you don’t lose your place on this page. No searching, no downloading, each and every recipe is just a click away. Let’s get to it!
Christmas Apricot and Walnut Fruitcake
A common Christmastime tradition is fruitcake, and there are so many varieties to choose from. My version is free of alcohol and loaded with both candied and dried fruit, as well as walnuts. Christmas Apricot and Walnut Fruitcake just might be your new favourite Christmas tradition!
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Pecan Pumpkin Loaf
If a pumpkin loaf is prepared without real pumpkin, it isn’t a pumpkin loaf! So, this Glazed Pumpkin Loaf is baked with almost two whole cups of canned pumpkin puree! In addition to a homemade pumpkin spice blend, this loaf is packed with pecans for extra flavour and texture!
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Eggnog Walnut Cinnamon Bread
A delicious and moist loaf with a cinnamon walnut crumb center is simply delectable! No frosting or fancy decorating skills are needed; serve this Eggnog Walnut Cinnamon Bread with vanilla ice cream for a great dessert, or enjoy a slice just as it is with a cup of hot tea as an afternoon treat.
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Walnut and Candied Cherry Loaf
Packed full of red and green candied cherries and whole toasted walnuts, this Walnut and Candied Cherry Loaf is loaded with familiar and cozy holiday flavour! This moist and delicious fuss-free loaf does not require or need any glaze or frosting; serve it just as is, because it is quite perfect!
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Mocha Peppermint Loaf
When you combine cocoa, coffee, and peppermint, they form the perfect flavour combination; and these flavours are bold and delicious in this Mocha Peppermint Loaf. Because this loaf is made with buttermilk, it remains very moist. Drizzled with a peppermint ganache and topped with crushed peppermint candy, this loaf is certainly decadent! This recipe makes two loaves – one for you and one to share!
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Spiced Gingerbread Loaf
In our home, there are a few confections that show up every Christmas. It just isn’t a Lord Byron Christmas without copious amounts of gingerbread in all forms and shapes. This year, I’m adding this Spiced Gingerbread Loaf to the mix. All of the gingerbread ingredients you’d expect, like molasses and brown sugar are present, but with the addition of warming ground spices.
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Apple and Cheese Bread
Not all cakes and loaves need to be sweetened with sugar, nor do they need to be made with desserts in mind. Loaves lend themselves quite well to an afternoon tea or coffee break, especially if they are prepared to be savoury like in the case of this Apple and Cheese Bread!
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Funfetti Christmas Loaf
Moist and delicious, packed with festive holiday sprinkles, and drizzled with a sweet glaze, this Funfetti Christmas Loaf is a perfect dessert for kids both young and old! There is never a bad time to bake with sprinkles, but no other occasion demands it quite like Christmas!
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Orange Cranberry Loaf
Moist and delicious, orangey and refreshing, packed with fresh cranberries and orange zest, and drizzled with a sweet glaze, Orange Cranberry Loaf is a perfect dessert or a lovely addition to your afternoon tea. This is delicious anytime, but the combination of oranges and cranberries is a must at Christmastime!
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Holiday Fruitcake Loaf
Serve this Holiday Fruitcake Loaf with a cup of hot tea at your year-end bookclub meeting, with your fellow card sharp at this week’s cribbage game, or enjoy a slice alone in your living room with a good book on a lazy, snowy Sunday afternoon. Prepared with dried and candied fruit which has been soaked in strong tea, this loaf is moist and delicious!
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Molasses Chai Spiced Bread
The combination of sweet and sticky molasses with the warm, comforting blend of homemade chai is a match made in holiday heaven! This bread is spiced with chai and baked to perfection. Topped with a thick layer of chai-infused glaze, this bread deserves nothing less than a quiet afternoon and a cup of hot tea!
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German Stollen-Inspired Bread
Traditionally prepared stollen, depending on the recipe and method, can take more than a day to prepare. This German Stollen-Inspired Bread makes use of the flavours associated with stollen but cuts back drastically on the time it usually takes. Steep the ingredients with rum or make it alcohol-free with apple juice instead.
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Raisin Apricot Loaf
Loaded with dried apricots and raisins and prepared with cream cheese, this Raisin Apricot Loaf is dense, moist, and absolutely delicious! This is one of those confections that doubles as a wonderful after dinner dessert or an indulgent afternoon treat!
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Banana Yogurt Chocolate Pecan Loaf
A family-favourite sweet treat, or a perfect gift for someone you care for; although, Banana Yogurt Chocolate Pecan Loaf might be hard to part with!
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Banana Walnut Loaf
This has to be the easiest Banana Walnut Loaf to make! With just one bowl and a spatula, you too can whip up this delicious treat. It’s a no-fuss, no-mess recipe with all of the flavour and richness you’d expect from a homemade banana loaf.
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Coconut Banana Loaf
Coconut Banana Loaf combines two simple and inexpensive ingredients in the easiest and most delicious loaf ever! All of this deliciousness is prepared using only a bowl and a spoon too!
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Date Walnut Loaf
Best served with tea as an afternoon snack, Date Walnut Loaf is very moist with bursts of sweet chopped dates and crunchy walnuts. Makes for a great gift idea, and can be easily frozen for later too!
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Red Currant Lemon Loaf
Moist and delicious, lemony and refreshing, packed with berries, and drizzled with a sweet glaze, Red Currant Lemon Loaf is a perfect dessert or a lovely addition to your afternoon tea. This is a summertime brunch item that doubles as an evening after-dinner dessert.
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Raspberry Banana Loaf
Loaded with fresh raspberries, this Raspberry Banana Loaf is the most moist and delicious loaf ever! Prepared with only a bowl and a spatula; no sifting or adding ingredients one at a time. Dump everything in a bowl, stir to combine, and bake. A loaf like this needs no frosting or fussing; serve thick slices with a hot tea or coffee!
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Irish Barmbrack Loaf
Best served with tea as an afternoon snack, Irish Barmbrack Loaf is prepared with dried fruit that has been soaked in strong, hot tea. Super moist and flavourful, this loaf is inspired by traditional barmbrack bread.
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Glazed Rhubarb Loaf
Prepared with lots of fresh rhubarb, this moist and delicious, lemony and refreshing loaf is drizzled with a sweet sugary glaze. Glazed Rhubarb Lemon Loaf is a perfect dessert or a lovely addition to your afternoon tea. This is a late-spring brunch item that doubles as an evening after-dinner dessert.
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22 OF THE BEST FESTIVE LOAVES AND BREADS
There you go, Dear Reader! 22 of the Best Festive Loaves and Breads all on one page for you to peruse and drool over! I trust you will be able to find a recipe or two from this list that fits into your holiday baking time and schedule.
QUESTIONS?
If I have not answered all of your questions in the text above, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! You can contact me by sending me a message in the comments section further down the page. I will try my best to answer as soon as possible! You might reach me even faster by following me on Facebook and sending me a private message. Scroll down to follow me and never miss another recipe!
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