Holiday Braided Bread - freshly baked bread

Holiday Braided Bread

Holiday & Festive Bread

An elegant braided egg bread decorated with dried cranberries and festive spices. A centrepiece for the holiday table.

Prep Time

30 min

Proof Time

1h 30m

Bake Time

30 min

Servings

10

Calories

240

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2¼ tsp instant yeast
  • ¾ cup warm milk
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix Dough

    Combine flour, yeast, sugar, spices, salt, warm milk, butter, and eggs. Knead 8–10 minutes.

  2. 2

    Rise

    Cover and rise 60–90 minutes until doubled.

  3. 3

    Shape

    Shape as directed — rolls, braid, or loaf.

  4. 4

    Second Rise

    Cover and rise 25–30 minutes.

  5. 5

    Bake

    Brush with egg wash. Bake at 350°F–375°F until golden. Glaze if applicable.

Baker's Notes

Make the dough the night before for stress-free holiday morning baking. Cold-proof overnight in the fridge, then just shape, proof briefly, and bake.

Baker Thomas Moreau

Nutrition Facts

240

cal

6g

Protein

5g

Fat

31g

Carbs

3g

Fiber

244mg

Sodium

Tips & Tricks

  • Make dough the night before for stress-free holiday morning baking.
  • A heavy dusting of powdered sugar or a glaze adds a festive finishing touch.
  • These breads make beautiful edible gifts when wrapped in cellophane.

Reviews (3)

David C.★★★★★

Bakery-quality bread at home. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out amazing. The proofing tips really helped.

Lisa P.★★★★★

Made this for a dinner party and everyone wanted the recipe. The bread was the star of the table — warm, crusty, and absolutely delicious.

Robert B.★★★★★

Five stars! The crust was perfectly crispy and the crumb was soft and airy. I'll never buy store-bought bread again.