Christmas Bread Recipe
A moist and festive Christmas Bread Recipe made with white cake mix, cherries, nuts, and almond glaze. Easy to prepare, beautifully colorful, and perfect for holiday breakfasts, gifting, or freezing ahead.
16 Servings
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 1 box 15.25 oz white cake mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream full-fat recommended
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup red maraschino cherries chopped and well drained
- ½ cup green candied cherries chopped and well drained
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk plus more as needed
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
Prepare the Baking Pans
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour two 8×4-inch loaf pans, or line them with parchment paper with overhang for easy removal.
Combine the Batter Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, water, and almond extract. Beat on medium speed for 1–2 minutes, ensuring the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Add the Cherries and Nuts
- Fold the chopped red and green cherries and the pecans (or walnuts) into the batter. Stir gently to distribute the ingredients evenly without overmixing.
Fill the Pans
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared loaf pans. Smooth the surface of each loaf with a spatula to ensure even rising.
Bake the Bread
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of each loaf comes out clean. If the loaves begin to brown too quickly, tent them loosely with foil for the final 10 minutes of baking.
Cool the Loaves
- Allow the loaves to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Prepare the Almond Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until the glaze is smooth and pourable. Add small amounts of additional milk if needed to adjust consistency.
Glaze the Bread
- Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled loaves. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
To prepare a gluten-free version of this Christmas Bread Recipe:
- Use a certified gluten-free white cake mix in place of the standard mix. Choose a 1:1 variety designed for cakes, as it ensures a soft, tender crumb.
- Verify that all candied cherries are labeled gluten free, as some brands may include additives processed in shared facilities.
- Ensure the powdered sugar and almond extract are gluten free, as cross-contact can vary between manufacturers.
- All remaining ingredients (eggs, sour cream, nuts, oil, water) are naturally gluten free.