Festive Raisin, Date & Nut Bread Wreath
This delightful Festive Raisin, Date & Nut Bread Wreath is perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season or any special occasion. The sweet and aromatic flavors of raisins, dates, and walnuts come together in a beautifully shaped bread that not only tastes amazing but also looks stunning on your dining table. With a hint of warm spices and a glossy finish, this bread is sure to impress. Enjoy it fresh from the oven or toasted with a bit of butter, and feel the warmth of togetherness in every bite!
12
Servings
150
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
2 3/4 cups (measured)
Milk
2/3 cup (heated)
Light brown sugar
3 tablespoons (packed)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (liquid)
Egg
1 (lightly beaten)
Unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (melted)
Active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons (instant)
Raisins
1/2 cup (chopped)
Chopped dates
1/2 cup (chopped)
Chopped walnuts
1/2 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a microwave-safe container, heat the milk for about 2 minutes until warm but not boiling.
2
Add the butter to the warm milk and stir until completely melted.
3
Add the beaten egg to the milk mixture and mix well until combined.
4
In the bread machine pan, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla extract.
5
Pour the milk mixture over the dry ingredients and sprinkle the yeast on top, following your manufacturer's instructions for layering.
6
Start the bread machine on the 'dough' cycle and let it mix and rise according to the machine's settings.
7
Once the dough is ready, remove it from the bread pan and place it on a floured surface, rolling it into a rectangle approximately 6x24 inches.
8
Evenly spread the chopped raisins, dates, and walnuts over the rolled-out dough, leaving about an inch of space along the edges.
9
If desired, add a bit more dried fruit and nuts for extra flavor.
10
Starting from the long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log and pinch the edges to seal.
11
Form the rolled dough into a circular shape, placing the seam side down to form a wreath.
12
Cover the wreath with a cloth and let it rise in a slightly warmed oven for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
13
Optional: To achieve a beautiful golden sheen, brush the surface with an egg wash made from a beaten egg mixed with a tablespoon of water.
14
For added texture, you may lightly score the surface of the dough with a sharp knife.
15
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and then bake the bread wreath for about 22 minutes or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
16
Allow it to cool slightly before serving, and enjoy the warmth and flavor of this delightful bread!
Nutrition Information
6.7
Fat
20.8
Carbs
2.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Festive Raisin, Date & Nut Bread Wreath?
It is a sweet and aromatic festive bread filled with raisins, dates, and walnuts, shaped into a beautiful wreath for holiday occasions.
How many servings does this bread wreath make?
This recipe yields approximately 12 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 150 calories.
What type of flour is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 3/4 cups of measured all-purpose flour.
How should the milk be prepared for the dough?
Heat 2/3 cup of milk in a microwave-safe container for about 2 minutes until warm but not boiling.
What should I do with the butter?
Add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the warm milk and stir until it is completely melted.
How are the eggs prepared for the dough?
One egg should be lightly beaten before being mixed into the warm milk and butter mixture.
What spices are included in the Festive Raisin, Date & Nut Bread Wreath?
The bread features a blend of 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger.
Does this recipe use white or brown sugar?
This recipe uses 3 tablespoons of packed light brown sugar.
What kind of yeast is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons of active dry or instant yeast.
Do I need a bread machine to make this recipe?
Yes, the instructions involve using a bread machine on the 'dough' cycle to mix and rise the dough.
What size should the dough be rolled into?
The dough should be rolled into a rectangle approximately 6x24 inches on a floured surface.
What fruits are used in the filling?
The filling uses 1/2 cup of chopped raisins and 1/2 cup of chopped dates.
What type of nuts are included in the bread?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts for the filling.
How do I form the wreath shape?
Roll the dough into a tight log, pinch the edges to seal, and form it into a circle with the seam side down.
How long is the final rise time for the wreath?
The shaped wreath should rise in a slightly warmed oven for about 30 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
How can I achieve a golden sheen on the finished bread?
Brush the surface of the dough with an egg wash made from a beaten egg mixed with a tablespoon of water before baking.
Is scoring the dough necessary?
Scoring the surface with a sharp knife is optional but adds texture to the finished loaf.
What is the recommended baking temperature?
The bread wreath should be baked in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the Festive Raisin, Date & Nut Bread Wreath take to bake?
The baking time is approximately 22 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
How can I tell if the bread is fully cooked?
The bread should sound hollow when tapped on the surface.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 6.7 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving contains 2.5 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
Each serving has 20.8 grams of carbohydrates.
Can I add extra fruit and nuts?
Yes, you can add slightly more dried fruit and nuts to the filling for extra flavor if desired.
Is vanilla extract used in this bread?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of liquid vanilla extract is added to the dough.
How much salt is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Should the bread be served warm?
The bread is best enjoyed fresh from the oven or toasted with a bit of butter.
Is this recipe suitable for the holiday season?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a festive holiday bread perfect for sharing.
Does the recipe use salted or unsalted butter?
The recipe specifies 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter.