5 Christmas Bread Secrets for Irresistible Holiday Joy

If you’ve been hunting for a Christmas Bread recipe that brings all the cozy, nostalgic holiday vibes without demanding half your December energy, you’ve just found your new baking best friend. This loaf is warm, fragrant, and packed with seasonal cheer — the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell like a Hallmark movie (minus the small-town drama).

As someone who’s constantly juggling life, work, and a to-do list that seems to regenerate overnight, I live for recipes like this. Simple. Festive. Foolproof. And yes — delicious enough that your family will think you spent hours in the kitchen. (Spoiler: you did not.)

This Christmas Bread features the bright, tangy magic of cranberry orange bread, balanced with warm cinnamon and a soft, tender crumb. It’s the kind of recipe that practically bakes itself while you wrap gifts, sip cocoa, or hide from your family for 10 minutes in a dark pantry. (No judgment. I’ve been there.)

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Bread

• It’s incredibly easy. One bowl for dry ingredients, one bowl for wet. No mixers, no stress, no holiday meltdowns.
• It’s bursting with holiday flavor. That dreamy mix of orange zest, juicy cranberries, and cinnamon? Pure seasonal joy.
• It’s versatile. Make a loaf, make muffins, make two and pretend one is “for the neighbors.”
• It tastes like Christmas morning. Bright, cozy, and sweet — just like the season should feel.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything that goes into this festive cranberry orange bread:

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

• 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 8 oz canned whole cranberries in sauce
• 1 large orange, zested and juiced
• 2 tablespoons applesauce
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

How to Make This Cozy Christmas Bread

1. Prep Your Pan & Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F, then spray or grease a bread loaf pan. Think of this step as your pan’s version of slipping into comfy holiday pajamas — essential for a smooth experience.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside while you assemble the wet mixture.

3. Combine the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, mix the eggs, cranberry sauce, orange zest, orange juice, applesauce, almond extract, and oil. It’ll look slightly messy — totally normal. That’s just holiday magic in progress.

4. Bring It All Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Mix gently until everything is just incorporated. Don’t overmix — we want soft, tender Christmas bread, not a holiday doorstop.

5. Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your loaf pan and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point — like a cozy hug from grandma.

6. Muffin Option

Want festive muffins instead? Grease your muffin tins and fill each one about 2/3 full. Bake for 20–23 minutes. Great for brunch, gifting, or snacking while wrapping presents.

Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Bread

• Let it cool (if you can). The loaf slices better once cooled… but warm slices with butter? Heavenly. Follow your heart.
• Use fresh orange zest. It brightens the whole loaf — trust me on this.
• Don’t stress if the batter seems thick. Thick batter usually means extra-moist slices later.
• Want more texture? Add 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
• Canned cranberry sauce is your friend. It blends perfectly and saves so much time — which we all need during the holidays.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

This recipe became a lifesaver during one especially chaotic December — the kind where my slow cooker was working overtime and my holiday spirit was running on fumes. I wanted something homemade and comforting without adding more stress to my week.
This Christmas bread stepped in like the hero it is. One quick mix, into the oven, and suddenly my whole home smelled like a cozy holiday bakery. It reminded me why I love recipes like this — simple, budget-friendly, and full of heart.

FAQs About Christmas Bread

Bring the Holiday Magic Home

This Christmas Bread is everything the season should be: warm, bright, comforting, and incredibly easy. Whether you’re baking it for brunch, gifting it to friends, or slicing into it late at night while hiding from your wrapping responsibilities, it brings pure joy to the table.

And if you’re like me — juggling life, kids, work, and the holiday chaos — this recipe is a sweet reminder that delicious homemade goodness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, the simplest treats become the most memorable.

Ready to make your holiday kitchen smell like pure cheer?
Go bake this Christmas Bread — and enjoy every cozy, cranberry-orange bite.

More Holiday Recipes to Keep the Festive Mood Going

If this Christmas Bread has you feeling all warm and cozy, here are a few more delicious holiday treats you’ll love exploring next. Each one pairs beautifully with the cranberry-orange flavors in your loaf and brings even more cheer to your table:

• If you adore the cranberry-orange combo (and who doesn’t this time of year?), these Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies make the perfect little companion treat — buttery, bright, and melt-in-your-mouth good.
• Looking for an easy holiday appetizer that disappears in minutes? These Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites are flaky, creamy, and so simple that you might find yourself making two batches.
• Craving something cozy, tart, and sweet all at once? This Cranberry Cream Cheese Crumb Pie is pure holiday comfort — a must-try for anyone who loves cranberry desserts.
• And if you’re feeding a crowd or hosting a holiday get-together, these Spicy Cranberry BBQ Meatballs bring a fun, bold twist that pairs perfectly with all your favorite festive bakes.

Feel free to add this right after your article — your readers will appreciate having more holiday goodness waiting for them!

Christmas Bread

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• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 65 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (or 12 muffins) 1x

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Description

This cozy Christmas Bread is filled with bright cranberry orange flavor, warm cinnamon, and a tender, moist crumb. A simple, festive loaf perfect for breakfast, gifting, or holiday snacking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 2 large eggs, slightly beaten

• 8 oz canned whole cranberries in sauce

• 1 large orange, zested and juiced

• 2 tablespoons applesauce

• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

• 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray or grease a loaf pan.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

3. In another bowl, combine the eggs, cranberry sauce, orange zest, orange juice, applesauce, almond extract, and oil. Mix well.

4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix.

5. Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan.

6. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. For muffins: Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake 20–23 minutes.

Notes

Let the loaf cool before slicing for the cleanest cuts.

Add nuts (like walnuts or pecans) for extra crunch.

This bread tastes even better the next day as the flavors settle.

Great for freezing! Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 Slice
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 215 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 27 mg