Braided Orange Holiday Bread is a soft, feathery yeast bread dough with lovely citrus flavor braided into a wreath and topped with a sweet orange glaze & dried cranberries!
I love making a few special foods during the holidays and breads are always at the top of my list! Braided Sweet Breads are always a hit. I love the bright, fruity flavors infused into this wreath. If you’ve never grated orange peel into bread dough before, it’ll become your new favorite way to add flavor! This is my favorite zester. I can’t wait to hear how you like this bread!
What is Enriched bread dough?
An enriched dough is homemade bread dough that includes added ingredients that make the dough softer, richer and sweeter. These ingredients often include butter, oils, brown sugar or granulated sugar and almost always eggs. The result is a super soft, feathery bread that is perfect for holidays!
If you’re new to making an enriched dough, scroll down just a bit and read my tips for success!
Orange Holiday Bread Ingredients
Flour: The structural base of the dough is 4 to 4-½ cups flour.
Sugar: Use ½ cup sugar to feed the yeast for fermentation and add sweetness to balance the citrus.
Salt: Enhance all the wonderful flavors with 1 tsp salt.
Milk: 1 cup milk adds moisture and helps create a fine crumb.
Butter: Enrich the dough by using 3 TBSP butter to improve the texture and flavor.
Yeast: You need 1 package active dry yeast (.25 oz or 2 ¼ tsp) for the dough to rise, giving it a light, airy texture.
Eggs: 3 eggs provide structure, color, and richness.
Orange juice & zest: Adding 3 TBSP orange juice and 3 tsp grated orange peel gives the dough a citrus brightness that defines the bread’s flavor.
For the glaze: 1 ½ cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 TBSP orange juice and grated orange peel creates a sweet, tangy topping. Dried cranberries add texture and a pop of color.
Tips for Making the Best Braided Holiday Bread
Making an enriched dough is easy, but it does require a bit more time and attention. Here are my tips for success:
- Don’t Kill the Yeast. Yeast likes warmth and sugar, so I instruct you to first mix it with warm buttery milk. This helps to activate the yeast and reduces the rise time a bit. I also like to see this as a sure-fire way to know that my yeast is alive and well! It should bubble up and almost look frothy. If you stop and stare at it, you can even see it move. This process takes just about 5 minutes. If it doesn’t do anything… toss it out and start the process again.
- Don’t add too much flour. I know most people want a clear cut measurement, but when you’re making bread, that’s just not possible. Bread dough is influenced by the humidity in your kitchen, how warm your house is, how you measured your flour, and about a dozen other circumstances. But that’s okay! Just go slowly and watch your dough. I like to aim for mine to clean the bowl but still stick in a circle about the size of a quarter on the bottom. Dough should be soft and slightly tacky.
- Be patient during the rise! This dough uses a standard 2 ¼ tsp yeast, which means it’s going to take some time to rise. (I have other bread recipes that go much faster!) I keep my house cool, so I either need to plan on letting it rise for 1.5 hours, or I need to use a warming mat for the dough.
How long is this Cranberry Orange Bread good for?
Braided Bread stays fresh at room temperature for about 3-5 days. Keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container to retain its softness and flavor. Avoid leaving it exposed to air, which can dry it out quickly.
If you want to keep it longer, store the bread in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Wrap it well to prevent it from absorbing odors or becoming stale. Before serving, you can warm it slightly to restore some softness.
You can freeze this bread for up to 3 months. Wrap it in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. To thaw, leave it at room temperature for a few hours or overnight. For best texture, warm it briefly in the oven before serving.
Braided Orange Holiday Bread Recipe
Ingredients
GLAZE:
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 TBSP orange juice
- 1 tsp grated orange peel
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Whisk 2 cups flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer. Set aside.
- In a small microwave safe bowl or a 2 cup measuring cup, heat butter 30 seconds. Pour in the milk and heat for another 30 seconds.
- Pour all but about ¼ cup of the milk mixture into the dry ingredients; begin mixing on low just until moistened.
- Add the yeast to the remaining ¼ cup milk mixture. Quickly whisk then let sit for 5 minutes, until yeast has bubbled up.
- Meanwhile, add the eggs, orange juice, and orange zest to the batter, mix until combined. Pour in the yeast mixture and 1 more cup of flour. Knead for 2-3 minutes, then add in 4th cup of flour. Knead again and assess if you need additional flour. Dough should be soft and most of the bowl should be clean, with a small circle at the bottom still sticking. (Too much flour and the entire bowl will be clean and the dough will feel more solid. Not enough flour and the dough looks shaggy, with remnants sticking to the bowl. Go slow and don't add more flour if it's not needed.)
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface & knead until it's smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. Grease the mixer bowl and return the dough to the bowl. Spray with additional oil, then cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Punch dough down, turn onto a lightly floured surface & divide dough into thirds. Roll each into a 30-in. rope. Braid the ropes, then shape into a wreath and tuck ends under to seal. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover with a light towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F for 22-26 minutes or until golden brown. Test the internal temp of the bread to make sure it’s fully baked. It should register 200°F- 205°F on your cooking thermometer. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool for 15-20 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice and peel; drizzle over bread while it’s still warm. Sprinkle with cranberries. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Serving suggestions for this Cranberry Orange Bread
Serve this braided orange holiday bread fresh and slightly warm for the best texture and flavor experience. You can slice it thinly to enjoy toast-style or thicker for a soft, satisfying bite.
This bread pairs well with butter, cream cheese, or marmalade. The citrus notes complement spreads that are mild or slightly sweet. Try it with a smear of honey for extra sweetness.
For a festive presentation, arrange slices on a platter with extra dried cranberries and orange zest sprinkled on top. This makes a bright and inviting centerpiece for holiday breakfasts or brunch.
Which ingredients are essential for creating a feathery texture in a holiday bread?
The combination of eggs, butter, and milk is crucial for a light, feathery texture. They increase moisture and fat content, which tenderizes the crumb.
Using active dry yeast properly and allowing enough rising time also affects softness. Proper kneading develops gluten for structure without toughness.
How is traditional sweet braided bread different from this recipe?
Traditional sweet braided breads like challah often skip citrus and include a simpler sweet profile. This recipe specifically highlights fresh orange zest and juice for a bright, fruity flavor.
Additionally, dried cranberries and a citrus glaze set this bread apart visually and taste-wise, adding festive detail and a balance of sweetness and tartness.
Try more of our favorite Fall bread recipes here:
- Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread is an easy, delicious pull-apart treat made with frozen rolls, dried cranberries, pudding mix, and orange juice. Bursting with citrus flavor, it’s a perfect quick and festive recipe for fall!
- Our Copycat Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf is rich, moist, and warmly spiced with ginger and molasses, then topped with creamy orange-kissed cream cheese icing. A festive holiday treat that’s perfect for cozy mornings or gift giving!
- This Cranberry Orange Pumpkin Bread perfectly captures all the cozy flavors of fall! It’s a moist, flavorful loaf that perfectly blends pumpkin, tart cranberries, and bright orange zest.
- Dutch Apple Bread is a moist, buttery quick bread loaded with fresh apples and warm fall spices, topped with a sweet cinnamon streusel and vanilla glaze. It’s the perfect homemade treat for cozy autumn days!
- Perfect for the holidays this Chocolate Peppermint Bread is a rich, moist chocolate quick bread infused with festive peppermint flavor. A deliciously sweet and seasonal treat everyone will love!
Braided Orange Holiday Bread is a soft, tender yeast wreath infused with bright citrus flavor, then finished with a sweet orange glaze and festive dried cranberries. A beautiful and delicious centerpiece for any holiday table!
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