Italian Christmas Bread

Amethyst · December 22, 2025, 9:46pm

Italian Christmas Bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Resting Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 22 slices

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (500 grams)
1/2 cup butter (100 grams/room temperature / cubed)
2 large eggs (room temperature)
3 1/2 ounces dark good-quality chocolate (100 grams / chopped)
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (60 grams)
1/4 cup + 2-4 tablespoons milk (90-120 grams/room temperature / I used 2%)
2 teaspoons yeast or** (2 teaspoons / active dry yeast)
1 1/4 cups Whole Nuts (almonds/hazelnuts/walnuts) (150 grams)
1 cup candied fruit (100 grams)

**I just made a new type with 2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.

Directions:

Chop whole nuts into large pieces, place on a cookie sheet, and roast in a preheated 350°F (180 °C) oven for approximately 5 minutes. Move to a clean bowl and let cool.

In the bowl of your stand-up mixer, add the flour and whisk, attach the dough hook, and add the butter. Knead for one minute.

Then add the eggs, chocolate, sugar, 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons of milk, and the yeast (or baking powder) on top. Knead until the dough is almost combined, then add the nuts and candied fruit.

Continue to knead (you may need to add another tablespoon or two of milk). until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, move the dough to a flat surface and knead for a couple of minutes to help distribute the fruit and nuts, and form into the shape of a round loaf.** (approximately 7 1/2 inches / 19 cm) Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let rise/rest in a warm draft-free area for 2 hours.

Pre-heat oven to 350°F (180). Lightly butter a small round cookie/pizza pan.

Remove the loaf from the bowl and place it on the prepared pan, and bake for approximately 50-55 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. Let cool completely before cutting. Enjoy!

Notes:

**If you decide to use the baking powder, then there is no rising time; just place directly on the buttered cookie sheet and bake for approximately 60-70 minutes.

How to store Christmas Cake / Bread:

It is best to store this bread when it is uncut, uncovered at room temperature, but once the bread is cut, place it in an airtight bag and store at room temperature for up to up to 3 days.

This bread can also be frozen, again well wrapped, then placed in an airtight bag for up to two months

Nutritional Facts:

Recipe courtesy of An Italian in my Kitchen.com