Few things feel more festive than the scent of fresh bread baking in the oven. From sweet and spiced to rich and savory, these 12 homemade holiday bread recipes will fill your kitchen with cozy aromas and holiday cheer. Bake one as a gift, serve with dinner, or enjoy warm with butter and tea.
1. Cranberry Orange Quick Bread
Tart cranberries and bright orange zest make this a holiday classic.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk juice, egg, butter, and zest.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, fold in cranberries.
- Pour into greased loaf pan.
- Bake 50–60 minutes.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with simple orange glaze and serve with tea.
2. Classic Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Sweet, swirly, and perfect toasted with butter.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 egg
- Filling: 1/3 cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine dough ingredients and knead until smooth.
- Let rise 1 hour.
- Roll into rectangle, spread with filling.
- Roll up, place in greased loaf pan.
- Let rise 30 min.
- Bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes.
How to Serve It
Slice thick and toast lightly, then slather with butter.
3. Sweet Cardamom Braided Bread
A Scandinavian favorite—soft, fragrant, and festive.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Mix ingredients and knead until elastic.
- Let rise 1 hour.
- Divide into 3 strands, braid and place on baking sheet.
- Let rise 30 min.
- Brush with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with pearl sugar or slivered almonds.
4. Chocolate Babka
Decadent, layered, and totally celebratory.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter
- Filling: 1/2 cup chocolate chips + 1/4 cup cocoa + 1/4 cup sugar + 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Prepare dough and let rise 1.5 hours.
- Roll out, spread filling, and roll up.
- Slice lengthwise and twist.
- Place in loaf pan, let rise 30 min.
- Bake at 350°F for 40–45 minutes.
How to Serve It
Brush with simple syrup for shine after baking.
5. Eggnog Quick Bread
Warm and cozy with classic holiday flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup eggnog
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine.
- Pour into greased loaf pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 50–55 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with vanilla glaze and sprinkle of nutmeg.
6. Pumpkin Yeast Bread
Soft, savory-sweet, and perfect with soup or butter.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
Instructions
- Mix ingredients and knead until smooth.
- Let rise 1 hour.
- Shape and place in loaf pan.
- Let rise 30 min.
- Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add cinnamon butter or honey drizzle.
7. Rosemary Olive Oil Bread
Savory and herby—perfect for a festive dinner table.
Ingredients
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp chopped rosemary
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
Instructions
- Mix dough and knead.
- Let rise 1 hour.
- Shape into round loaf, let rise again.
- Bake at 400°F for 25–30 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with olive oil and balsamic dip.
8. Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
Light and refreshing with a citrus zing.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Mix wet and dry ingredients.
- Pour into greased loaf pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes.
- Cool and drizzle with lemon glaze.
How to Serve It
Serve with tea or on a brunch spread.
9. Apple Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
Sticky, sweet, and loaded with soft spiced apple filling.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp yeast
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 egg
- Filling: 1 apple diced + 1/4 cup brown sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Make dough and let rise.
- Roll out, spread with filling.
- Slice, stack, and place in loaf pan.
- Let rise again.
- Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with cream cheese glaze or caramel.
10. Stollen (German Holiday Bread)
A fruit- and nut-filled festive bread with old-world charm.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup chopped mixed dried fruit
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Mix dough and knead in fruits and nuts.
- Let rise 1 hour.
- Shape and bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes.
- Cool and dust generously with sugar.
How to Serve It
Slice thin and serve with butter or tea.
11. Maple Pecan Bread
Nutty, rich, and perfectly sweetened.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and fold in pecans.
- Pour into loaf pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with maple glaze and toasted pecans.
12. Chocolate Zucchini Holiday Bread
Moist, rich, and sneaky-healthy.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup grated zucchini
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix wet and dry ingredients separately.
- Combine and fold in zucchini and chocolate chips.
- Pour into greased pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 50–55 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with butter or chocolate spread.
🍞 Let the Baking Begin
Each of these holiday breads brings warmth, aroma, and nostalgia to your kitchen. Whether you go sweet or savory, braided or quick, one thing’s for sure—your home is about to smell amazing. Pick one (or a few!) to bake this season and share the joy with someone you love.
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