Festive Breads

From Panettone to Stollen, the Best Holiday Loaves to Bake

The holiday season is a time for warm kitchens, fragrant spices, and special treats that bring joy to festive gatherings. Among the most cherished traditions in many cultures are holiday breads—rich, sweet, and often filled with unique ingredients that tell stories of heritage and celebration. From Italian panettone to German stollen, these breads are as much a part of the holiday experience as the twinkling lights and cozy gatherings.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most beloved holiday breads, the special ingredients that make them stand out, and how you can create your own festive loaves this season. Whether you’re a professional baker or baking for family and friends, these breads are sure to bring warmth and cheer to your holiday table.

1. Panettone: The Italian Christmas Classic

Panettone is an iconic Italian Christmas bread, known for its tall, domed shape and its fluffy, light texture. Traditionally studded with raisins, candied citrus peel, and sometimes chocolate, panettone is a treat that requires patience and high-quality ingredients to get just right.

Key Ingredients:

• Candied Orange Peel: Adds a citrusy sweetness to balance the richness of the bread. Try using Rader Foods’ AmiFruit Candied Orange Peel for a premium touch.
• Golden Raisins: These lend a subtle sweetness and chewy texture to panettone. Rader Foods’ Hialeah Golden Raisins are an excellent choice for a rich, juicy flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: For an extra hint of warmth and depth, use Rader Foods’ Natural Vanilla Extract, which enhances the flavor profile without overpowering the other ingredients.

2. Stollen: Germany’s Festive Bread

Stollen is a dense, fruit-filled bread that originated in Germany and is often dusted with powdered sugar to resemble the snowy landscapes of winter. This bread is typically packed with dried fruits, nuts, and sometimes marzipan, giving it a rich and complex flavor that improves over time.

Key Ingredients:

• Dried Cherries and Cranberries: These tart fruits are often mixed with raisins in stollen for a burst of flavor. Dried Cranberries add a delightful balance of tartness and sweetness to the bread.
• Almond Paste or Marzipan: A central component of stollen is the ribbon of marzipan running through the center. You can make your own almond paste using Blanched Almonds from American Almond, or purchase ready-made marzipan for convenience.
• Mixed Spices: Cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg are essential for giving stollen its festive, spiced flavor. Ground Cinnamon and Ground Nutmeg, are perfect for adding warmth to your holiday breads.

3. Kringla: The Norwegian Favorite

Kringla is a soft, pretzel-shaped bread from Norway, often made around the holidays. This tender, slightly sweet bread is typically flavored with cardamom and is delightful alongside a cup of hot cocoa or coffee. Unlike some other holiday breads, kringla is often baked in smaller, individual portions, making it perfect for sharing.

Key Ingredients:

• Cardamom: The signature spice in kringla, cardamom gives this bread a distinctive, fragrant flavor. Use Ground Cardamom to ensure a fresh and aromatic spice blend.
• Sour Cream: While sour cream might not seem like a typical ingredient in bread, it lends a moist, tender crumb to kringla. Combine with All-Purpose Flour for the perfect consistency.

4. Brioche: The French Holiday Favorite

Brioche, with its rich, buttery dough, is a luxurious bread that’s often enjoyed during the holidays in France. While not strictly a Christmas bread, its soft, slightly sweet flavor and light texture make it a perfect base for festive adaptations, such as adding dried fruits or nuts.

Key Ingredients:

• Butter: The key to a perfect brioche is using high-quality butter. European Style Butter with a higher fat content that lends the bread its rich, tender crumb.
• Eggs: Brioche gets its golden color and rich flavor from plenty of eggs. Be sure to use fresh, high-quality eggs to achieve the best texture.
• Pearled Sugar: For a decorative finish, sprinkle your brioche with Rader Foods’ Pearled Sugar for a festive, sweet crunch.

5. Challah: A Versatile Holiday Bread

While challah is traditionally associated with Jewish holidays, it has become a beloved bread for all occasions during the holiday season. Its braided shape and golden crust make it a showstopper on any festive table, and it’s often made sweeter and richer during the winter months with the addition of honey or dried fruits.

Key Ingredients:

• Honey: A drizzle of honey in challah adds a natural sweetness and depth. Rader Foods’ Wildflower Honey is an excellent choice for a rich, floral note.
• Poppy or Sesame Seeds: For that perfect finish, sprinkle your challah with Poppy Seeds or Sesame Seeds from Rader Foods, which provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.

Conclusion

Holiday breads are more than just baked goods—they are symbols of tradition, celebration, and warmth. Whether you’re baking panettone, stollen, or brioche, using high-quality ingredients is the key to creating breads that are as flavorful as they are beautiful.

At Rader Foods, we take pride in offering premium ingredients that help bring these festive breads to life. From dried fruits and nuts to spices and sweeteners, our selection ensures that your holiday baking will be filled with flavor and joy. So this season, stock your pantry with the best and enjoy the rich tradition of holiday bread-making with your loved ones.

Happy baking, and may your holiday season be as warm and sweet as the loaves that come out of your oven!