A New England Holiday Bread with Olde World Roots

Infused with the festive flavors of dried cranberries, candied orange peel, and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, A New England Holiday Bread with Olde World Roots is a must-bake for the holiday season. This traditional yeast bread strikes the perfect balance between sweet and subtle, drawing inspiration from age-old baking traditions while embracing the cozy charm of New England. With a soft, slightly sticky dough that transforms into a golden, lightly spiced loaf, it’s the ideal centerpiece for winter celebrations. Whether enjoyed warm with a pat of butter or paired with honey for a touch of extra indulgence, this bread is a delightful way to savor the season. Perfect for festive brunches, gift-giving, or just a quiet morning by the fire, this recipe combines timeless flavors with modern baking ease.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 1 cup Milk
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 2 Eggs
• 0.75 cups Dried cranberries
• 0.5 cups Chopped candied orange peel
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, instant yeast, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter over low heat until the butter melts and the mixture is warm (but not hot) to the touch, around 100-110°F.

Step 3

Pour the warm milk mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Stir until a soft, slightly sticky dough begins to form.

Step 4

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Gently knead in the dried cranberries and candied orange peel until evenly distributed.

Step 6

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1.5 hours.

Step 7

Punch the dough down to release any air bubbles. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 8

Cover the dough loosely with the kitchen towel and let it rise again for 30-40 minutes, until puffed.

Step 9

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 10

Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped on the bottom.

Step 11

Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with butter or honey.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(871.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3096.6

Total Fat 62.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 496mg	0%
Sodium 2569.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 559.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.9g	0%
Total Sugars 168.6g
Protein 66.2g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 193.7mg	0%
Iron 24.9mg	0%
Potassium 868.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.4%

Protein: 8.6%

Carbs: 72.9%