Best 3 Sweet Italian Holiday Bread Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Sweet Italian holiday bread is a delicious and festive treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a popular choice for holiday gatherings and celebrations, and it can also be a wonderful way to show your loved ones how much you care. With its rich, sweet flavor and soft, fluffy texture, sweet Italian holiday bread is sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering. There are many different recipes available for sweet Italian holiday bread, so you can easily find one that suits your taste and skill level. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, you are sure to be able to create a delicious sweet Italian holiday bread that will be enjoyed by all.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN SWEET BREAD



Italian Sweet Bread image

This golden brown bread offers satisfying sweetness in every slice. The hearty round loaves rise well and cut beautifully. With an egg wash and a sprinkling of Italian seasoning, the bread looks pretty, too. -Kim Ooms, Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 30m

Yield 2 loaves (16 pieces each).

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup warm 2% milk (70° to 80°)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
EGG WASH:
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
Italian seasoning, optional

Steps:

  • In bread machine pan, place the first 7 ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed)., When the cycle is completed, turn dough onto a floured surface. Divide in half. Shape each portion into a ball; flatten slightly. Place in 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes., Beat egg and water; brush over the dough. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning if desired. Bake at 350° until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 22mg cholesterol, Sodium 119mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

SWEET ITALIAN HOLIDAY BREAD



Sweet Italian Holiday Bread image

This is authentic ciambellotto, a sweet loaf my great-grandmother used to bake in Italy. I still use her traditional recipe-the only update I made was for using modern appliances. -Denise Perrin, Vancouver, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 1 loaf (20 slices).

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
3 teaspoons baking powder
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup olive oil
1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon coarse sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, orange zest and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk and oil until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened., Shape into a 6-in. round loaf on a greased baking sheet. Brush top with egg yolk; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. Cover top loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes if needed to prevent overbrowning. Remove from pan to a wire rack; serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 197 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 87mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS BREAD WITH EGGNOG GLAZE



Italian Christmas Bread with Eggnog Glaze image

My husband fondly recalls the Anise Bread that his Italian grandmother used to make during the holidays. She evidently never had a recipe (and never used a bread machine!) so this is what I came up with for a quick, special Christmas bread. This rich bread has a wonderful aroma while baking.

Provided by Nancy Ann R.

Categories     Breakfast and Brunch     Breakfast Bread Recipes

Time 3h10m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 14

½ cup hazelnuts
1 cup eggnog, plus
1 tablespoon eggnog
2 tablespoons white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 egg
1 egg yolk
3 cups bread flour
1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
2 tablespoons anise seed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon eggnog

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Spread hazelnuts evenly on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly toasted, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, transfer the nuts to a bowl, and let them cool.
  • Place the eggnog, sugar, salt, butter, egg, egg yolk, bread flour, yeast, anise seed, and cinnamon into the bread machine. Program the machine for a basic cycle with the crust as "medium." Press start. Do not use the delay timer.
  • Place the cooled toasted hazelnuts into the machine between Knead Cycle 1 and Knead Cycle 2. When the baking cycle ends, immediately remove the bread from the pan and allow it to cool on a rack.
  • Prepare the glaze by combining the confectioners' sugar and eggnog in a bowl; mix well. It should be a drizzling consistency. Drizzle the glaze on the cooled bread before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 195.2 calories, Carbohydrate 28 g, Cholesterol 39.3 mg, Fat 7.2 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 5.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 102.9 mg, Sugar 7.2 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the taste of your bread. Use fresh milk, eggs, and butter, and make sure your yeast is active.
  • Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten, which gives the bread its structure and texture. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place: The dough needs to rise in a warm place in order to double in size. This can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the temperature of the room.
  • Bake the bread at a high temperature: Baking the bread at a high temperature helps to create a crispy crust and a fluffy interior. Bake the bread at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes, or until it is golden brown.
  • Let the bread cool before slicing: Once the bread is baked, let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This will help to prevent the bread from crumbling.

Conclusion:

Sweet Italian holiday bread is a delicious and festive bread that is perfect for any occasion. With its soft and fluffy texture, sweet flavor, and beautiful appearance, this bread is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a special bread to make, give this Sweet Italian holiday bread a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics