27 Christmas Bread Ideas

Looking for the perfect bread recipe for the holidays? Look no further than this collection of 27 Christmas Bread Recipes!

These sweet breads are perfect for enjoying with coffee on Christmas morning or serving to guests.

They also make great holiday gifts for friends and neighbors. From cinnamon rolls to sweet breads, there’s something here for everyone.

1. Cranberry Orange Bread

The classic combination of cranberries and orange gets a delicious makeover in this recipe.

This bread is perfect for breakfast or as a light dessert after a big meal.

2. Stollen Bread

This German bread is a traditional treat that’s made with candied fruit, raisins, and almonds.

The dough is rolled out into an oval and then folded in half before baking.

After it’s baked, it’s brushed with melted butter and then dusted with powdered sugar.

3. Apricot Almond Babka

Babka is a sweet, twisted bread that is often filled with chocolate, cinnamon, or nuts.

This recipe uses a sweet apricot jam and ground almonds to fill the bread.

The dough is rich and buttery, and the bread is finished off with a sweet glaze and more ground almonds.

This recipe is a little more time-consuming, but it’s worth it! You’ll need to knead the dough, let it rise, fill it, twist it, and let it rise again before you bake it.

Don’t be intimidated by the process—this recipe is much easier than it looks.

4. Pecan Pie Bread

If you love pecan pie, you’re going to be obsessed with this bread. It’s like a classic loaf cake, but with all the flavors of the iconic pie.

Pecans are folded into the batter and then more are sprinkled on top for a crunchy, nutty finish.

5. Spiced Gingerbread Loaf

This loaf has all the flavors of traditional gingerbread cookies, but in bread form.

It’s spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg and has a rich molasses flavor.

This loaf is perfect for dessert, a special breakfast, or a holiday snack.

6. Cardamom Bread

This rich, tender loaf is filled with a buttery, cardamom-infused filling. It’s a bit like a cinnamon roll, but with a softer, more tender crumb.

Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea in the morning, or serve it in the afternoon with a spread of cookies and other holiday treats.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have whole cardamom pods, you can use ground cardamom instead. Use 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cardamom in the filling.

7. Cranberry Pistachio Stollen

This traditional German Christmas bread is packed with spices, nuts, and fruit.

The bread is rolled up with a layer of marzipan and then baked to perfection.

After it bakes, the loaf is brushed with melted butter and dusted with powdered sugar.

What is stollen?

Stollen is a traditional German bread that is typically enjoyed around Christmas time.

It’s a sweet bread that is filled with dried fruit, nuts, and spices. It’s usually rolled up with a layer of marzipan in the center.

8. Chocolate Swirl Brioche

The only thing better than a loaf of fresh brioche is a loaf of chocolate swirled brioche.

This bread is a great addition to a Christmas brunch or breakfast.

It’s not overly sweet, but the swirls of chocolate make it feel like a special treat.

Drizzle it with chocolate sauce for an extra indulgent touch.

9. Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

If you’re a fan of lemon poppy seed muffins, you’ll love this bread.

It’s made with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and poppy seeds, and it’s topped with a sweet glaze made with lemon juice and powdered sugar.

10. Panettone

Panettone is an Italian sweet bread that’s similar to brioche.

It’s made with a rich dough that’s studded with dried fruit and nuts, then formed into a domed loaf shape.

Panettone is a popular Christmas treat and is often given as a gift.

This recipe makes a homemade version of the classic Christmas bread, and it’s easier to make than you might think!

11. Apple Fritter Bread

Apple fritter doughnuts are a fall staple, but this bread is a great way to enjoy the flavors of apple fritters year-round.

This sweet, spiced, and apple-filled bread is topped with a rich and creamy vanilla bean glaze that sets it apart from other quick breads.

12. Cinnamon Swirl Bread

This cinnamon swirl bread is a sweet, soft loaf with a thick cinnamon sugar swirl inside and a lovely light cinnamon sugar crust on top.

It’s a simple recipe that’s made from scratch but doesn’t require any yeast.

Enjoy the bread for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.

It’s a wonderful treat to give as a gift, and it will make your home smell amazing as it bakes.

13. Chocolate Babka

A classic babka is made with a cinnamon-sugar filling, and while those are delicious, this chocolate version is a must-try.

The dough is made with a rich, buttery dough and filled with a gooey chocolate filling.

The dough is twisted and rolled to create the iconic babka shape.

This bread is perfect for a holiday breakfast or a sweet mid-day snack.

14. Spiced Zucchini Bread

This isn’t your average zucchini bread. This one is packed with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

15. Cranberry Walnut Bread

The tartness of fresh cranberries is balanced out by the sweetness of sugar in this recipe. Chopped walnuts add a nice crunch to every bite.

16. Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Cinnamon raisin bread is a classic and for good reason.

It’s the perfect thing to have for breakfast on Christmas morning.

You can make it a day or two in advance and it still tastes amazing.

This recipe is a little bit more involved than some of the other recipes in this round-up, but it’s still easy to make.

Pro tip: let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours to give it time to ferment.

This will give you a more complex flavor and a chewier texture.

17. Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

This pull-apart bread is so fun to eat, and looks absolutely stunning on the table.

It’s filled with a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture, and the bread itself is soft and tender.

The best part is that you can make the dough in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

18. Chocolate Cherry Bread

This moist, fluffy bread is filled with the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and chocolatey flavors.

It’s made with maraschino cherries, mini chocolate chips, and a hint of almond extract. The vanilla almond glaze is the perfect finishing touch.

19. Spiced Chai Banana Bread

This banana bread is a great way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter.

The addition of spiced chai adds a warm, cozy flavor to the bread.

Top with a simple chai glaze and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for a little extra sweetness.

20. Maple Glazed Cinnamon Rolls

The only thing that can make a classic cinnamon roll better is a maple glaze. These fluffy, sweet rolls are perfect for a holiday brunch.

21. Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Start your Christmas off right with these gingerbread cinnamon rolls.

They’re filled with a spiced sugar mixture, rolled up, and then sliced to make the perfect, pull-apart rolls.

Top them with a cream cheese frosting that’s been flavored with maple syrup and vanilla.

Recipe creator, Molly, says, “They’re soft, fluffy, sweet, and oh so comforting. It’s like a big cozy hug in the form of a baked good.”

22. Chocolate Orange Babka

Chocolate and orange are a classic Christmas flavor combination, but they’re not just for cookies! This babka is a stunning addition to your Christmas breakfast spread.

Made with a sweet, yeasted dough, it’s swirled with a chocolate and orange sugar filling.

The dough is then rolled up and twisted to create a beautiful pattern in the loaf.

23. Nutella Swirl Bread

This bread is as beautiful as it is delicious.

It’s made with a rich, buttery dough that’s swirled with Nutella and chopped hazelnuts.

This bread is perfect for a special breakfast or brunch, but it’s also great for dessert.

Conclusion

Bake a loaf of this bread and your home will be filled with the comforting scent of gingerbread. It’s made with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg and is perfect for a holiday breakfast!