30 Christmas Bread Recipes That Are Easy, Pretty and Festive
’Tis the season of warm kitchens, flour-dusted aprons and the scent of cinnamon and sugar lingering in the air. In many cultures, holiday baking revolves around sweet breads, which are great to give as gifts or serve warm from the oven the morning of December 25th. Presenting 30 of our favorite sweet (and savory) Christmas bread recipes.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
1. Sugared Holiday Bread
Soft and buttery on the inside, sweet and crunchy on the outside (and the leftovers make excellent French toast).
Photo: Christine Han/Styling: Erin McDowell
2. Pumpkin Brioche
Who says pumpkin is just for the fall? This gorgeous brioche begs to differ. If you leave the sugar topping off, it doubles as a savory loaf.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
3. Chocolate Pinecone Rolls
Breakfast doesn’t get any better, especially when it’s dusted in a layer of confectioners’ sugar “snow.”
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
4. Holiday Baked Brie
Our two favorite food groups, together at last. (Use store-bought dough for the bread “wreath” and don’t tell a soul.)
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
5. Pumpkin Spice Pecan Rolls
We’ll admit we’re in it for the cream cheese frosting. Aren’t you? Canned pumpkin puree gives the dough a gorgeous hue and keeps it soft.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
6. Mini Cranberry, Pistachio and Chocolate Panettone
It’s light, airy, moist and flecked with festive cranberries, pistachios and chocolate.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
7. Giant Cinnamon Roll
This is definitely one of those times when more is more. Psst: The recipe starts with store-bought crescent dough.
Sally’s Baking Addiction
8. Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread
We’ll never turn down a treat with cinnamon streusel on top. (But if you want plain cranberry bread, simply leave it off.)
Pinch of Yum
9. Homemade Cinnamon Roll Pull-Apart Bread
We’ve found the key to winning Christmas morning. The design looks intricate, but all you need is a pair of scissors to make it.
Sally’s Baking Addiction
10. Star Bread
This gorgeous treat is filled with Nutella, but you could try cinnamon sugar or jam too.
Pinch of Yum
11. Christmas Tea Ring with Raspberry Cream Cheese Filling
It’s a Scandinavian tradition to serve this on Christmas, and why not? It’s delicious.
Katherine Gillen
12. Gingerbread Loaf
You know what? Let’s top everything with cream cheese frosting. This loaf is flavored with a classic blend of spices for the most nostalgic effect, but feel free to adjust the amounts as you see fit.
Half Baked Harvest
13. Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath
We only care about the holiday centerpiece if it’s fully edible—and this one is.
The Modern Proper
14. Eggnog Pull-Apart Bread
Scones, shmones. We’re serving this on Christmas morning with a steaming pot of coffee.
How Sweet Eats
15. Cranberry Brie Focaccia Bread
You’re going to need something to pair with that holiday cheese board. Hint, hint…
I Am a Food Blog
16. Pull-Apart Christmas Bread
Rudolph is gonna love this one. The effect is created with one dough, a touch of cocoa powder and a bit of food coloring.
Foodie Crush
17. Pull-Apart Cinnamon Pecan Rolls
If monkey bread and pecan pie had a (really tasty) baby, this would be it.
Two Peas and Their Pod
18. Eggnog Bread
The only thing that could possibly make it more irresistible? An eggnog glaze. This recipe delivers on both fronts.
How Sweet Eats
19. Cranberry White Chocolate Sticky Buns
Yes, they’re sweet. But that’s what Christmas is all about.
Spoon Fork Bacon
20. Herb and Cheese Braided Star Bread
It’s called carb art—ever heard of it? Take it way over the top with a side of honey or jam for dipping.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
21. Braided Apple Danish Loaf
The braiding technique will make you look like a pro, even though it’s secretly really simple.
Sally's Baking Addiction
22. Cinnamon Roll Wreath
Deck the halls with boughs of butter and sugar, please and thank you. Make the dough the night before and this wreath will be a breeze.
Cloudy Kitchen
23. Earl Grey Buns
They’re even cozier than a cup of tea. (Psst: Don’t love Earl Grey? Swap it for a plain loose-leaf black tea.)
Half Baked Harvest
24. Snowflake Pull-Apart Monkey Bread
Hands down, this sticky-sweet, cinnamon bread is our favorite kind of snowflake.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
25. Pull-Apart Bread with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese
Each piece of the soft, buttery dough is stuffed with a creamy mixture of caramelized onions, goat cheese and herbs. It’s best served warm by a twinkling Christmas tree.
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
26. Swedish Cinnamon Rolls
They’re so beautiful, yet so easy to pull off—strips of dough are twisted and formed into a simple knot shape that looks super impressive.
Broma Bakery
27. Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
It’s like eating cookies for breakfast, and what could be bad about that?
Half Baked Harvest
28. Salted Butter Candy Cane Bagels
Are they traditional? No. Are they adorable? Absolutely. Better yet, they taste like a cross between a bagel and a soft pretzel.
Feasting at Home
29. Finnish Cardamom Bread (Pulla)
This one is a buttery, sweet Finnish tradition, and it has “holiday breakfast” written all over it.
A Pretty Life in the Suburbs
30. Fruit and Berry Christmas Bread
Eat, drink and be merry. (And go ahead, eat some more.)
