chocolate cinnamon swirl bread Credit: Con Poulos
chocolate cinnamon swirl bread Credit: Con Poulos
chocolate cinnamon swirl bread Credit: Con Poulos
chocolate cinnamon swirl bread
Credit: Con Poulos
Christmas bread has a lot of different interpretations. The most traditional iterations involve sugar and spice, and often—but not always—yeast, and ultimately have strong cultural associations and country ties. Consider German stollen, Greek Christopsomo, Italian panettone, and Mexican three kings bread (and its French pastry-equivalent galette des rois).
One thing we can all agree on is that Christmas bread is celebratory, whether or not we observe the holiday. In the spirit of seasonal cravings (as well as good will and sharing!), we gathered our best breads to bake at Christmas, ranging from iconic recipes to festive tear-and-shares—with a flurry of quicker loaves that use baking powder when you don’t have time to watch the (yeasted) buns rise for good measure.
iced christmas bread Stollen View Recipe Densely delicious, stollen is studded with dried fruits and candied citrus peel and fragrant with almonds. This version from Martha's mom is braided, allowing frosting to pool in every decadent crevice. panettone Credit: Bryan Gardner Panettone View Recipe We can't resist buttery panettone (who could eat just one slice?). This iconic Italian sweet bread is made from the ultimate enriched dough. christmas bread Christopsomo View Recipe Scented with orange zest and anise, the yeasted Greek bread Christopsomo translates as "bread of Christ" and is sometimes decorated with an X (for a Christian cross). X is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ and was used as an early abbreviation—hence X-mas. coffee cake Yeasted Cheese and Sour Cherry Coffee Cake View Recipe Sure, it's called cake but it's leavened with yeast and it eats like an enriched breakfast bread, conjuring visions of the best kind of cheese Danish. A filling of sour cherries and cream cheese strikes the perfect balance. cinnamon rolls Credit: Lennart Weibull Cinnamon Rolls View Recipe Our inviting cinnamon rolls are made extra-fluffy with the addition of mashed potatoes. A cream cheese frosting means that they are essential holiday breakfast food. almond berry coffee cake Credit: Courtesy of James Merrell Almond Berry Coffee Cake View Recipe When you don't have time for yeast, this raspberry-inflected batter makes a very convincing sweet loaf. The raspberries (you can use frozen) offer a sweet tartness for the dark blackberry jam and addictive streusel topping. rustic dessert bread Credit: Courtesy of Chris Court Chocolate Kugelhopf View Recipe There are as many spellings as there are variations on this theme of a sweet, yeasted bread baked with plumped up raisins and flaked almonds. This version adds chocolate and we just think it is delightful when toasted. marzipan stollen Credit: Bryan Gardner Marzipan Stollen View Recipe With a marzipan heart and fruit soaked in Cognac, this luxurious stollen can be enjoyed for many days. Slice it thinly and accompany each piece with strong cups of coffee. morning buns Credit: Lennart Weibull Swedish Cardamom Rolls View Recipe The deeply aromatic combination of ground cardamom and orange zest makes these tender and sweet Swedish buns, glazed with honey and butter, mouthwatering. coffee cake bread Coffee Cake Crown View Recipe In Scandinavian countries, yeasted breads and buns flavored by warm saffron are baked to celebrate St Lucy's day on December 13th. Shaped into a crown, the lightly sweetened breakfast bread is a holiday favorite. bread Apple Honey Challah View Recipe Challah is a deliciously eggy Jewish bread and symbol of sweet things to come. Adding apples and honey makes the fluffy, tearable bread extra-good. dinner roll wreath Credit: Chris Simpson Garlic Herb Dinner Roll Wreath View Recipe Who said Christmas bread has to be sweet? Savory garlic and herb dinner rolls shaped into a wreath are perfect for the holiday table. chocolate cinnamon swirl bread Credit: Con Poulos Chocolate Cinnamon Swirl Bread View Recipe It's the holidays! It's okay to be decadent. Chocolate is not paired often enough with evocative cinnamon, and in this decadent filling for a braided, babka-inspired bread, the combination is divine. brioche a tete Brioche à Tête View Recipe Butter-rich brioche is the purist's breakfast bread. This is just right for a discrete dunk into coffee on Christmas morning, but consider serving it with fresh fruit, whipped cream, good butter, and preserves, too. Any leftovers will make the best French toast, ever. chocolate bread brownie Chocolate-Swirl Gingerbread View Recipe Singing with spices (the necessary ginger, as well as black pepper and cloves), this molasses and chocolate-inflected gingerbread is baked in a sheet pan, and ready in just 30 minutes.
iced christmas bread Stollen View Recipe Densely delicious, stollen is studded with dried fruits and candied citrus peel and fragrant with almonds. This version from Martha's mom is braided, allowing frosting to pool in every decadent crevice.
panettone Credit: Bryan Gardner Panettone View Recipe We can't resist buttery panettone (who could eat just one slice?). This iconic Italian sweet bread is made from the ultimate enriched dough.
christmas bread Christopsomo View Recipe Scented with orange zest and anise, the yeasted Greek bread Christopsomo translates as "bread of Christ" and is sometimes decorated with an X (for a Christian cross). X is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ and was used as an early abbreviation—hence X-mas.
coffee cake Yeasted Cheese and Sour Cherry Coffee Cake View Recipe Sure, it's called cake but it's leavened with yeast and it eats like an enriched breakfast bread, conjuring visions of the best kind of cheese Danish. A filling of sour cherries and cream cheese strikes the perfect balance.
cinnamon rolls Credit: Lennart Weibull Cinnamon Rolls View Recipe Our inviting cinnamon rolls are made extra-fluffy with the addition of mashed potatoes. A cream cheese frosting means that they are essential holiday breakfast food.
almond berry coffee cake Credit: Courtesy of James Merrell Almond Berry Coffee Cake View Recipe When you don't have time for yeast, this raspberry-inflected batter makes a very convincing sweet loaf. The raspberries (you can use frozen) offer a sweet tartness for the dark blackberry jam and addictive streusel topping.
rustic dessert bread Credit: Courtesy of Chris Court Chocolate Kugelhopf View Recipe There are as many spellings as there are variations on this theme of a sweet, yeasted bread baked with plumped up raisins and flaked almonds. This version adds chocolate and we just think it is delightful when toasted.
marzipan stollen Credit: Bryan Gardner Marzipan Stollen View Recipe With a marzipan heart and fruit soaked in Cognac, this luxurious stollen can be enjoyed for many days. Slice it thinly and accompany each piece with strong cups of coffee.
morning buns Credit: Lennart Weibull Swedish Cardamom Rolls View Recipe The deeply aromatic combination of ground cardamom and orange zest makes these tender and sweet Swedish buns, glazed with honey and butter, mouthwatering.
coffee cake bread Coffee Cake Crown View Recipe In Scandinavian countries, yeasted breads and buns flavored by warm saffron are baked to celebrate St Lucy's day on December 13th. Shaped into a crown, the lightly sweetened breakfast bread is a holiday favorite.
bread Apple Honey Challah View Recipe Challah is a deliciously eggy Jewish bread and symbol of sweet things to come. Adding apples and honey makes the fluffy, tearable bread extra-good.
dinner roll wreath Credit: Chris Simpson Garlic Herb Dinner Roll Wreath View Recipe Who said Christmas bread has to be sweet? Savory garlic and herb dinner rolls shaped into a wreath are perfect for the holiday table.
chocolate cinnamon swirl bread Credit: Con Poulos Chocolate Cinnamon Swirl Bread View Recipe It's the holidays! It's okay to be decadent. Chocolate is not paired often enough with evocative cinnamon, and in this decadent filling for a braided, babka-inspired bread, the combination is divine.
brioche a tete Brioche à Tête View Recipe Butter-rich brioche is the purist's breakfast bread. This is just right for a discrete dunk into coffee on Christmas morning, but consider serving it with fresh fruit, whipped cream, good butter, and preserves, too. Any leftovers will make the best French toast, ever.
chocolate bread brownie Chocolate-Swirl Gingerbread View Recipe Singing with spices (the necessary ginger, as well as black pepper and cloves), this molasses and chocolate-inflected gingerbread is baked in a sheet pan, and ready in just 30 minutes.
iced christmas bread Stollen View Recipe Densely delicious, stollen is studded with dried fruits and candied citrus peel and fragrant with almonds. This version from Martha's mom is braided, allowing frosting to pool in every decadent crevice.
iced christmas bread
Stollen
Densely delicious, stollen is studded with dried fruits and candied citrus peel and fragrant with almonds. This version from Martha’s mom is braided, allowing frosting to pool in every decadent crevice.
iced christmas bread
iced christmas bread
iced christmas bread
Stollen
Densely delicious, stollen is studded with dried fruits and candied citrus peel and fragrant with almonds. This version from Martha’s mom is braided, allowing frosting to pool in every decadent crevice.
panettone Credit: Bryan Gardner Panettone View Recipe We can't resist buttery panettone (who could eat just one slice?). This iconic Italian sweet bread is made from the ultimate enriched dough.
panettone Credit: Bryan Gardner
Panettone
We can’t resist buttery panettone (who could eat just one slice?). This iconic Italian sweet bread is made from the ultimate enriched dough.
panettone Credit: Bryan Gardner
panettone
Credit: Bryan Gardner
panettone
Panettone
We can’t resist buttery panettone (who could eat just one slice?). This iconic Italian sweet bread is made from the ultimate enriched dough.
christmas bread Christopsomo View Recipe Scented with orange zest and anise, the yeasted Greek bread Christopsomo translates as "bread of Christ" and is sometimes decorated with an X (for a Christian cross). X is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ and was used as an early abbreviation—hence X-mas.
christmas bread
Christopsomo
Scented with orange zest and anise, the yeasted Greek bread Christopsomo translates as “bread of Christ” and is sometimes decorated with an X (for a Christian cross). X is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ and was used as an early abbreviation—hence X-mas.
christmas bread
christmas bread
christmas bread
Christopsomo
Scented with orange zest and anise, the yeasted Greek bread Christopsomo translates as “bread of Christ” and is sometimes decorated with an X (for a Christian cross). X is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ and was used as an early abbreviation—hence X-mas.
coffee cake Yeasted Cheese and Sour Cherry Coffee Cake View Recipe Sure, it's called cake but it's leavened with yeast and it eats like an enriched breakfast bread, conjuring visions of the best kind of cheese Danish. A filling of sour cherries and cream cheese strikes the perfect balance.
coffee cake
Yeasted Cheese and Sour Cherry Coffee Cake
Sure, it’s called cake but it’s leavened with yeast and it eats like an enriched breakfast bread, conjuring visions of the best kind of cheese Danish. A filling of sour cherries and cream cheese strikes the perfect balance.
coffee cake
coffee cake
coffee cake
Yeasted Cheese and Sour Cherry Coffee Cake
Sure, it’s called cake but it’s leavened with yeast and it eats like an enriched breakfast bread, conjuring visions of the best kind of cheese Danish. A filling of sour cherries and cream cheese strikes the perfect balance.
cinnamon rolls Credit: Lennart Weibull Cinnamon Rolls View Recipe Our inviting cinnamon rolls are made extra-fluffy with the addition of mashed potatoes. A cream cheese frosting means that they are essential holiday breakfast food.
cinnamon rolls Credit: Lennart Weibull
Cinnamon Rolls
Our inviting cinnamon rolls are made extra-fluffy with the addition of mashed potatoes. A cream cheese frosting means that they are essential holiday breakfast food.
cinnamon rolls Credit: Lennart Weibull
cinnamon rolls
Credit: Lennart Weibull
cinnamon rolls
Cinnamon Rolls
Our inviting cinnamon rolls are made extra-fluffy with the addition of mashed potatoes. A cream cheese frosting means that they are essential holiday breakfast food.
almond berry coffee cake Credit: Courtesy of James Merrell Almond Berry Coffee Cake View Recipe When you don't have time for yeast, this raspberry-inflected batter makes a very convincing sweet loaf. The raspberries (you can use frozen) offer a sweet tartness for the dark blackberry jam and addictive streusel topping.
almond berry coffee cake Credit: Courtesy of James Merrell
Almond Berry Coffee Cake
When you don’t have time for yeast, this raspberry-inflected batter makes a very convincing sweet loaf. The raspberries (you can use frozen) offer a sweet tartness for the dark blackberry jam and addictive streusel topping.
almond berry coffee cake Credit: Courtesy of James Merrell
almond berry coffee cake
Credit: Courtesy of James Merrell
almond berry coffee cake
Almond Berry Coffee Cake
When you don’t have time for yeast, this raspberry-inflected batter makes a very convincing sweet loaf. The raspberries (you can use frozen) offer a sweet tartness for the dark blackberry jam and addictive streusel topping.
rustic dessert bread Credit: Courtesy of Chris Court Chocolate Kugelhopf View Recipe There are as many spellings as there are variations on this theme of a sweet, yeasted bread baked with plumped up raisins and flaked almonds. This version adds chocolate and we just think it is delightful when toasted.
rustic dessert bread Credit: Courtesy of Chris Court
Chocolate Kugelhopf
There are as many spellings as there are variations on this theme of a sweet, yeasted bread baked with plumped up raisins and flaked almonds. This version adds chocolate and we just think it is delightful when toasted.
rustic dessert bread Credit: Courtesy of Chris Court
rustic dessert bread
Credit: Courtesy of Chris Court
rustic dessert bread
Chocolate Kugelhopf
There are as many spellings as there are variations on this theme of a sweet, yeasted bread baked with plumped up raisins and flaked almonds. This version adds chocolate and we just think it is delightful when toasted.
marzipan stollen Credit: Bryan Gardner Marzipan Stollen View Recipe With a marzipan heart and fruit soaked in Cognac, this luxurious stollen can be enjoyed for many days. Slice it thinly and accompany each piece with strong cups of coffee.
marzipan stollen Credit: Bryan Gardner
Marzipan Stollen
With a marzipan heart and fruit soaked in Cognac, this luxurious stollen can be enjoyed for many days. Slice it thinly and accompany each piece with strong cups of coffee.
marzipan stollen Credit: Bryan Gardner
marzipan stollen
marzipan stollen
Marzipan Stollen
With a marzipan heart and fruit soaked in Cognac, this luxurious stollen can be enjoyed for many days. Slice it thinly and accompany each piece with strong cups of coffee.
morning buns Credit: Lennart Weibull Swedish Cardamom Rolls View Recipe The deeply aromatic combination of ground cardamom and orange zest makes these tender and sweet Swedish buns, glazed with honey and butter, mouthwatering.
morning buns Credit: Lennart Weibull
Swedish Cardamom Rolls
The deeply aromatic combination of ground cardamom and orange zest makes these tender and sweet Swedish buns, glazed with honey and butter, mouthwatering.
morning buns Credit: Lennart Weibull
morning buns
morning buns
Swedish Cardamom Rolls
The deeply aromatic combination of ground cardamom and orange zest makes these tender and sweet Swedish buns, glazed with honey and butter, mouthwatering.
coffee cake bread Coffee Cake Crown View Recipe In Scandinavian countries, yeasted breads and buns flavored by warm saffron are baked to celebrate St Lucy's day on December 13th. Shaped into a crown, the lightly sweetened breakfast bread is a holiday favorite.
coffee cake bread
Coffee Cake Crown
In Scandinavian countries, yeasted breads and buns flavored by warm saffron are baked to celebrate St Lucy’s day on December 13th. Shaped into a crown, the lightly sweetened breakfast bread is a holiday favorite.
coffee cake bread
coffee cake bread
coffee cake bread
Coffee Cake Crown
In Scandinavian countries, yeasted breads and buns flavored by warm saffron are baked to celebrate St Lucy’s day on December 13th. Shaped into a crown, the lightly sweetened breakfast bread is a holiday favorite.
bread Apple Honey Challah View Recipe Challah is a deliciously eggy Jewish bread and symbol of sweet things to come. Adding apples and honey makes the fluffy, tearable bread extra-good.
bread
Apple Honey Challah
Challah is a deliciously eggy Jewish bread and symbol of sweet things to come. Adding apples and honey makes the fluffy, tearable bread extra-good.
bread
bread
bread
Apple Honey Challah
Challah is a deliciously eggy Jewish bread and symbol of sweet things to come. Adding apples and honey makes the fluffy, tearable bread extra-good.
dinner roll wreath Credit: Chris Simpson Garlic Herb Dinner Roll Wreath View Recipe Who said Christmas bread has to be sweet? Savory garlic and herb dinner rolls shaped into a wreath are perfect for the holiday table.
dinner roll wreath Credit: Chris Simpson
Garlic Herb Dinner Roll Wreath
Who said Christmas bread has to be sweet? Savory garlic and herb dinner rolls shaped into a wreath are perfect for the holiday table.
dinner roll wreath Credit: Chris Simpson
dinner roll wreath
Credit: Chris Simpson
dinner roll wreath
Garlic Herb Dinner Roll Wreath
Who said Christmas bread has to be sweet? Savory garlic and herb dinner rolls shaped into a wreath are perfect for the holiday table.
chocolate cinnamon swirl bread Credit: Con Poulos Chocolate Cinnamon Swirl Bread View Recipe It's the holidays! It's okay to be decadent. Chocolate is not paired often enough with evocative cinnamon, and in this decadent filling for a braided, babka-inspired bread, the combination is divine.
chocolate cinnamon swirl bread Credit: Con Poulos
Chocolate Cinnamon Swirl Bread
It’s the holidays! It’s okay to be decadent. Chocolate is not paired often enough with evocative cinnamon, and in this decadent filling for a braided, babka-inspired bread, the combination is divine.
chocolate cinnamon swirl bread Credit: Con Poulos
chocolate cinnamon swirl bread
Credit: Con Poulos
Chocolate Cinnamon Swirl Bread
It’s the holidays! It’s okay to be decadent. Chocolate is not paired often enough with evocative cinnamon, and in this decadent filling for a braided, babka-inspired bread, the combination is divine.
brioche a tete Brioche à Tête View Recipe Butter-rich brioche is the purist's breakfast bread. This is just right for a discrete dunk into coffee on Christmas morning, but consider serving it with fresh fruit, whipped cream, good butter, and preserves, too. Any leftovers will make the best French toast, ever.
brioche a tete
Brioche à Tête
Butter-rich brioche is the purist’s breakfast bread. This is just right for a discrete dunk into coffee on Christmas morning, but consider serving it with fresh fruit, whipped cream, good butter, and preserves, too. Any leftovers will make the best French toast, ever.
brioche a tete
brioche a tete
brioche a tete
Brioche à Tête
Butter-rich brioche is the purist’s breakfast bread. This is just right for a discrete dunk into coffee on Christmas morning, but consider serving it with fresh fruit, whipped cream, good butter, and preserves, too. Any leftovers will make the best French toast, ever.
chocolate bread brownie Chocolate-Swirl Gingerbread View Recipe Singing with spices (the necessary ginger, as well as black pepper and cloves), this molasses and chocolate-inflected gingerbread is baked in a sheet pan, and ready in just 30 minutes.
chocolate bread brownie
Chocolate-Swirl Gingerbread
Singing with spices (the necessary ginger, as well as black pepper and cloves), this molasses and chocolate-inflected gingerbread is baked in a sheet pan, and ready in just 30 minutes.
chocolate bread brownie
chocolate bread brownie
chocolate bread brownie
Chocolate-Swirl Gingerbread
Singing with spices (the necessary ginger, as well as black pepper and cloves), this molasses and chocolate-inflected gingerbread is baked in a sheet pan, and ready in just 30 minutes.
