’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.
food
30 Christmas Bread Recipes That Are Easy, Pretty and Festive
Whether you like your carbs savory or sweet
Published Sep 21, 2023
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).
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.
3. Chocolate Pinecone Rolls
Breakfast doesn’t get any better, especially when it’s dusted in a layer of confectioners’ sugar “snow.”
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.)
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.
6. Mini Cranberry, Pistachio and Chocolate Panettone
It’s light, airy, moist and flecked with festive cranberries, pistachios and chocolate.
7. Giant Cinnamon Roll
This is definitely one of those times when more is more. Psst: The recipe starts with store-bought crescent dough.
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.)
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.
10. Star Bread
This gorgeous treat is filled with Nutella, but you could try cinnamon sugar or jam too.
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.
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.
13. Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath
We only care about the holiday centerpiece if it’s fully edible—and this one is.
14. Eggnog Pull-Apart Bread
Scones, shmones. We’re serving this on Christmas morning with a steaming pot of coffee.
15. Cranberry Brie Focaccia Bread
You’re going to need something to pair with that holiday cheese board. Hint, hint…
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.
17. Pull-Apart Cinnamon Pecan Rolls
If monkey bread and pecan pie had a (really tasty) baby, this would be it.
18. Eggnog Bread
The only thing that could possibly make it more irresistible? An eggnog glaze. This recipe delivers on both fronts.
19. Cranberry White Chocolate Sticky Buns
Yes, they’re sweet. But that’s what Christmas is all about.
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.
21. Braided Apple Danish Loaf
The braiding technique will make you look like a pro, even though it’s secretly really simple.
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.
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.)
24. Snowflake Pull-Apart Monkey Bread
Hands down, this sticky-sweet, cinnamon bread is our favorite kind of snowflake.
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.
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.
27. Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
It’s like eating cookies for breakfast, and what could be bad about that?
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.
29. Finnish Cardamom Bread (Pulla)
This one is a buttery, sweet Finnish tradition, and it has “holiday breakfast” written all over it.
30. Fruit and Berry Christmas Bread
Eat, drink and be merry. (And go ahead, eat some more.)
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