Holiday Bread Recipes

Steps:

• Mix 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, the bread flour, salt, yeast and 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water (105 degrees F to 110 degrees F) in a large bowl with a wooden spoon to make a wet and sticky dough. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until almost tripled in size, 2 to 3 hours (the top will flatten and begin to sink in the center). Divide the dough in half and transfer one piece to another bowl. Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours.
• Put a pizza stone or inverted rimmed baking sheet on the highest oven rack and put a broiler pan on the lowest rack; preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, sprinkle each piece with 1/4 cup flour, then shape each into a smooth, taut ball. Cover the bowls loosely with plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Put a large piece of parchment paper on a pizza peel or another inverted baking sheet and dust with flour. Using floured hands, pick up a ball of dough and poke your thumbs through the center to make a hole. Place on the parchment, then gently stretch the dough from the center to make a 9-inch-diameter ring with a 5-inch hole in the center. Sprinkle generously with flour. Lay out another sheet of parchment, dust with flour and repeat to shape the other ball of dough into a ring. Let rest, uncovered, 15 minutes.
• Holding kitchen shears at a 45 degrees F angle, make deep cuts at 1-to-1 1/2-inch intervals all the way around both dough rings, pulling the cut sections away from the center as you go to make "leaves." Let rest, uncovered, until plump, about 15 more minutes.
• Slide one dough wreath (on the parchment) directly onto the hot stone. Carefully pour 1 cup water into the broiler pan underneath to create steam; quickly shut the oven door. Bake until the bread is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Repeat with the second dough wreath, adding another cup of water to the broiler pan.

Steps:

• Oil a quarter sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of the oil and stretch out the bread dough to the edges. Allow the dough to rest and rise for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Brush the surface of the bread with another tablespoon of the olive oil. Decorate the bread with the tomatoes, olives, sage and rosemary, pressing them into the bread. Brush on the remaining olive oil; this will make it shiny and stop the vegetables burning. Sprinkle on the salt and Parmesan.
• Bake until it is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Steps:

• In a bread machine pan, place all ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size if available. , Bake according to bread machine directions (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).

Steps:

• Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and soda into large bowl and set aside.
• Add 2 tablespoons melted butter to 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice.
• Add beaten egg to orange mixture and add to dry ingredients.
• Mix until dry ingredients are moistened.
• Stir in chopped nuts and cranberries.
• Turn into (greased and floured) 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes to 1 hour.
• Let stand 24 hours before slicing.
• This recipe freezes very well - I usually wrap first in Saran Wrap, then wrap it in aluminum foil and then place in zip-lock bags - I generally take out of the freezer the night before serving, if possible.
• Delicious plain or with butter or cream cheese spread on it.

Steps:

• Cream the shortening and sugar. Add the eggs, baking powder, soda, salt and spices.
• Add water alternately with the flour. Stir in the nuts and can of cranberry sauce.
• Grease 8 pint size canning jars that have been washed in hot soapy water and dried.
• (Grease them by using a brush dipped in melted shortening). Fill each jar 1/2 full; wipe the rim clean and bake in a 325°F oven for 35 to 45 minutes (bake on cookie sheet on middle rack).
• Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in large pot. Turn off heat when water begins to boil. Place the lids and caps in the water and let sit for 10 minutes or more. Leave the lids in the hot water until ready to use.
• When the cakes are done, remove the jars one at a time. Wipe the rim and quickly add lid. No need to wipe off water from lid--the added moisture will not hurt the cake. Screw lids on tightly and let rest on towel until completely cool. Jars will seal as they cool.
• Makes 8 pint size jar cakes--stores up to 6 months in cool dry place.
• If giving as a gift, top with pretty fabric and attach a card with name of cake, date made, and expiration date.
• If not for a gift, just write the info on the lid with a permanent marker.
• When ready to use, if cakes do not slide out easily, just run jar under hot water for a few seconds or microwave with lids removed for 2 seconds.
• Recipezaar Editor Note: Additional information from Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service regarding canning safety for breads and cakes.
• http://hgic.clemson.edu/PDF/HGIC3051.pdf.
• "These products are not recommended for canning. Choose recipes that you can freeze. In fact, most of these products are not really "canned." The directions call for baking in the jar and then closing with a canning lid. Many recipes for quick breads and cakes are low acid and have the potential for supporting the growth of bacteria like Clostridium botulinum if it is present inside the closed jar. You will see these products made commercially; however, additives, preservatives and processing controls not available for home recipes are used. Canning jar manufacturers also don't endorse baking in their canning jars.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, orange zest and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk and oil until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened., Shape into a 6-in. round loaf on a greased baking sheet. Brush top with egg yolk; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. Cover top loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes if needed to prevent overbrowning. Remove from pan to a wire rack; serve warm.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Grease only the bottom of a 9x5 loaf pan (or three 5 3/4 x 3 1/4 inch loaf pans). In a large bow beat the eggs.
• Blend in sugar, eggnog, butter, rum extract and vanilla extract.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, walnuts, salt and nutmeg, stirring to combine.
• Mix into the eggnog mixture; stir just enough to moisten the dry ingredients.
• Pour the batter into pan(s).
• If baking bread in large pan, bake 40-60 minutes, or until a tester in the center comes out clean.
• If baking the breads in the smaller pans, bake 35-40 minutes.
• Cool 10 minutes, then remove from pan.
• Cool breads completely, then wrap tightly. Keep in the refrigerator.