Festive Fruit & Nut Christmas Bread

Introducing the delectable “Christmas Loaf”! This delightful creation is a true embodiment of festive flavors and joyous spirit, making it the quintessential Christmas bread for your holiday gatherings. Bursting with an array of wholesome ingredients, it’s a treat that promises to elevate your seasonal celebrations to new heights. Plus, this recipe yields not one, but two loaves, offering you the opportunity to spread the joy by gifting one to a neighbor or loved one.

Recipe Overview:

• Name: Christmas Loaf
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Recipe Category: Quick Breads
• Keywords: Breads, Fruit, Kid Friendly, Christmas, Weeknight, Oven, Less than 4 Hours, Easy
• Aggregated Rating: 4 stars
• Review Count: 1
• Calories: 2021.5 per serving
• Nutritional Information (per serving):
  • Fat Content: 98g
  • Saturated Fat Content: 56.8g
  • Cholesterol Content: 308mg
  • Sodium Content: 1825.2mg
  • Carbohydrate Content: 267.9g
  • Fiber Content: 20.1g
  • Sugar Content: 143.2g
  • Protein Content: 32.1g
• Recipe Yield: 2 loaves

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
• 1/2 cup pitted dates, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

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   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Grease two loaf pans to ensure easy removal of the bread after baking.

2. Creaming Butter and Sugar:

   • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, using a hand mixer or stand mixer.

3. Incorporating Wet Ingredients:

   • Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring each ingredient is well incorporated into the mixture.

4. Combining Dry Ingredients:

   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.

5. Alternating Additions:

   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with mashed bananas, and mixing until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix.

6. Adding Flavor and Texture:

   • Gently fold in the shredded coconut, chopped almonds, maraschino cherries, and chopped dates, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.

7. Filling the Loaf Pans:

   • Divide the batter equally between the prepared loaf pans, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.

8. Baking:

   • Place the loaf pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean.

9. Cooling and Serving:

   • Allow the loaves to cool in the pans for about 15 minutes before carefully removing them and transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
   • Once cooled, slice and serve this festive Christmas Loaf with your favorite spreads or enjoy it as is!

Conclusion:

With its rich blend of flavors and irresistible aroma, this Christmas Loaf is sure to become a beloved tradition in your holiday repertoire. Whether you’re sharing it with family and friends or savoring a quiet moment by the fireplace, each bite of this moist and flavorful bread will fill your heart with warmth and cheer. Embrace the joy of the season with every slice of this heavenly creation!