Christmas Loaf

Infuse your holiday celebrations with the warm, comforting flavors of this delightful Christmas Loaf. Bursting with festive ingredients like dried cranberries, raisins, chopped pecans, and a hint of orange zest, this spiced loaf is the perfect centerpiece for your seasonal baking. Accentuated with cinnamon and nutmeg, it offers the cozy aroma of Christmas in every soft, buttery bite. Simple to prepare yet packed with layers of flavor, this loaf is ideal for gifting, sharing at holiday gatherings, or simply enjoying with a mug of mulled cider or hot chocolate. Plus, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy, festive finish that's sure to impress. Celebrate the season with this irresistibly moist and flavorful holiday classic!

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.75 cup whole milk
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 0.5 cup chopped pecans
• 0.5 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Step 6

Fold in the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, raisins, and orange zest until evenly distributed.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Once cooled, optionally dust the top with powdered sugar for a festive touch.

Step 11

Slice and serve the Christmas Loaf. Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1089.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3688.3

Total Fat 155.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 71.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 652.3mg	0%
Sodium 2412.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 537.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.5g	0%
Total Sugars 320.9g
Protein 52.8g	0%

Vitamin D 162.5IU	0%
Calcium 637.7mg	0%
Iron 17.9mg	0%
Potassium 1871.1mg	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: 37.2%

Protein: 5.6%

Carbs: 57.2%