Cranberry Almond Holiday Wreath Bread

Bring the festive spirit to your holiday table with this Cranberry Almond Holiday Wreath Bread, a show-stopping centerpiece that's as delicious as it is beautiful. Made with tender, lightly sweetened brioche dough, this bread is infused with bursts of tangy dried cranberries, crunchy toasted almonds, and a hint of refreshing orange zest. Its iconic braided wreath shape makes it perfect for Christmas or holiday gatherings, while a glossy orange glaze adds a touch of sweet citrus brilliance. Whether topped with a sprinkle of decorative sugar or extra almonds, this homemade holiday bread is easy to make and guaranteed to impress. Serve it warm from the oven or at room temperature for a festive treat everyone will love. Perfect for holiday breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this Cranberry Almond Holiday Wreath Bread combines flavor, tradition, and eye-catching presentation in one irresistible recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.25 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 1 cups Warm milk (about 110°F)
• 0.25 cups Unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 units Large eggs
• 0.75 cups Dried cranberries
• 0.5 cups Toasted sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoons Orange zest
• 1 cups Powdered sugar (for glaze)
• 2 tablespoons Orange juice (for glaze)
• 2 tablespoons Optional decorative sugar or sliced almonds (for topping)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast.

Step 2

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until a sticky dough forms.

Step 3

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Gently fold in dried cranberries, toasted sliced almonds, and orange zest until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 5

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into three equal portions, rolling each into a long rope about 18 inches in length.

Step 7

Braid the three ropes together, pinching the ends to seal, and form the braid into a circular wreath shape. Pinch the ends together to close the circle.

Step 8

Transfer the formed wreath onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

Step 9

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the wreath bread for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 10

Allow the bread to cool slightly on a wire rack while preparing the glaze.

Step 11

To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread in a decorative pattern.

Step 12

Optionally, sprinkle with decorative sugar or extra sliced almonds for a festive touch. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1197.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3620.4

Total Fat 105.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 521.2mg	0%
Sodium 2615.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 586.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.9g	0%
Total Sugars 199.3g
Protein 88.0g	0%

Vitamin D 204.0IU	0%
Calcium 620.8mg	0%
Iron 27.5mg	0%
Potassium 1630.1mg	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: 26.1%

Protein: 9.7%

Carbs: 64.3%