Best 2 Christmas Gift Loaf Recipes

Christmas Gift Loaf is a delectable and heartfelt holiday treat that is perfect for spreading holiday cheer to your loved ones. Whether you are searching for a thoughtful homemade gift or a festive treat to serve at your Christmas gathering, this article will guide you through the process of finding the best recipe to bake a delicious and memorable Christmas Gift Loaf. With a variety of recipes available, there is sure to be one that fits your preferences, whether you desire a traditional fruitcake-style loaf, a moist and flavorful quick bread, or a rich and indulgent chocolate loaf. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey to create the perfect Christmas Gift Loaf that will delight your family and friends.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

CHRISTMAS GIFT LOAF

Christmas Gift Loaf image

Great Holiday loaf with pumpkin, nuts, chocolate chips and icing. Doubling the batch will yield three 8x4 inch loaves.

Provided by Sharon K Grams

Categories Fruits and Vegetables Vegetables Squash

Time 1h5m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

½ cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¾ cup pumpkin puree
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts, divided
¼ cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch ground cinnamon

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the sugar mixture alternately with the pumpkin puree, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips and 3/4 cup of the walnuts until evenly distributed. Spoon into the prepared loaf pan, and sprinkle the remaining walnuts over the top.
Bake for 65 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean. Cool, then remove from the pan, and drizzle with icing.
To make the icing, stir together the confectioners' sugar and heavy cream with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 359.4 calories, Carbohydrate 43.1 g, Cholesterol 54.7 mg, Fat 20.4 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 8.9 g, Sodium 307.9 mg, Sugar 27.8 g

A CHRISTMAS STORY MEAT LOAF

A Christmas Story Meat Loaf image

I've watched the film "A Christmas Story" so many times since I was a kid. Now I have a family of my own, so I re-created the mom's meatloaf and mashed potatoes. -Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup ketchup
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small green or sweet red pepper, finely chopped
2/3 cup crushed saltines (about 12)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
4 cups hot mashed potatoes, divided
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. Place a rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; place a 12x8-in. piece of foil in center of rack. In a large bowl, combine eggs, ketchup, onion, green pepper, crushed saltines, salt and pepper. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Place over foil rectangle and shape into a 9x6-in. loaf. Bake until a thermometer reads 160°, 50-60 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing., Transfer meat loaf to a serving plate, discarding foil. Pipe or spread 1 cup mashed potatoes over meat loaf. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with remaining mashed potatoes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 436 calories, Fat 20g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 132mg cholesterol, Sodium 1105mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 26g protein.

Tips:

Choose a sturdy loaf pan: Make certain to use a loaf pan that is at least 9x5 inches in size and made of sturdy material like metal or glass. This will prevent the loaf from spilling over or becoming misshapen during baking.
Measure ingredients accurately: Baking is a precise process, so it's important to measure all of your ingredients accurately. Use measuring cups and spoons that are specifically designed for cooking, and level off dry ingredients with a knife or straight edge.
Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter can make the loaf tough and dense. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and no dry streaks remain.
Let the loaf cool completely before slicing: This will help to prevent the loaf from crumbling. Allow the loaf to cool for at least 1 hour, or overnight if possible.

Conclusion:

With a little planning and effort, you can easily make a delicious and festive Christmas gift loaf that will be enjoyed by your friends and family. Just be sure to choose a sturdy loaf pan and accurately measure your ingredients. Don't overmix the batter, and let the loaf cool completely before slicing. With these tips in mind, you're sure to create a gift loaf that will be a hit!