• Jul 31, 2025
• by Adriel Sporer
• Comments

5 Festive Holiday Bread Recipes to Wow Your Guests This Year

Impress your loved ones with these 5 incredible holiday bread recipes! From sweet potato rolls to stunning star bread, find the perfect festive treat for your holiday gatherings. Get baking!

1. Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

Description: These sweet potato dinner rolls boast a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a subtle sweetness that complements any meal. Their vibrant color and comforting aroma make them an irresistible addition to your bread basket.

Why You Should Try This: These rolls are a beloved classic, elevated with the addition of sweet potato for a unique twist. They're easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Tip or Fun Fact:

• 1. For best results, use freshly cooked and mashed sweet potatoes. Canned sweet potato puree can also be used, but the flavor may not be as pronounced.
• 2. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. Avoid adding too much flour, as this can result in dry rolls.
• 3. If your kitchen is cold, you can place the dough in a slightly warmed oven (turned off) to help it rise.
• 4. For a richer flavor, brush the rolls with a mixture of melted butter and honey after baking.

2. Orange and Saffron Panettone

Description: Embark on a culinary journey with this exquisite panettone, a symphony of citrus and spice. Infused with fragrant saffron and studded with jewel-like candied orange and lemon peel, this enriched dough is a testament to patience and rewarding baking.

Why You Should Try This: Panettone is a traditional Italian holiday bread, known for its rich flavor and impressive presentation. This recipe offers a unique twist with the addition of saffron.

Tip or Fun Fact:

• 1. For best results, use high-quality candied citrus peel.
• 2. If the fruit seems dry after soaking, add a touch more Cointreau to keep them moist.
• 3. The dough is quite wet, which is normal. Resist the urge to add more flour.
• 4. If you don't have panettone forms, you can bake the dough in regular cake pans, but the shape will be different.

3. Holiday Star Bread

Description: Behold, the Holiday Star Bread: a dazzling centerpiece for your festive table. This enriched dough, studded with jewels of dried fruit and crunchy nuts, is surprisingly simple to construct, promising a show-stopping treat that's as delicious as it is beautiful. Prepare to impress with every slice!

Why You Should Try This: Its stunning visual appeal makes it perfect for holiday gatherings. It's also a delicious way to showcase festive flavors.

Tip or Fun Fact:

• 1. For best results, use a kitchen scale to ensure equal portions of dough and consistent filling distribution.
• 2. The dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated overnight. Let it come to room temperature before rolling.
• 3. Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite dried fruits and nuts.
• 4. If the star bread browns too quickly, tent it with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.

4. Maple Twists

Description: Indulge in these delectable Maple Twists, a delightful treat perfect for a cozy brunch or a special holiday gathering. The flaky, golden-brown pastry, filled with a creamy cheese mixture and swirled with a rich maple-nut filling, will surely tantalize your taste buds.

Why You Should Try This: These twists offer a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, making them a unique and appealing addition to any holiday spread.

Tip or Fun Fact:

• 1. For an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cream cheese mixture.
• 2. If you don't have walnuts on hand, pecans or almonds would also work well in the filling.
• 3. Be sure to seal the edges of the dough securely after folding to prevent the cream cheese filling from leaking out during baking.
• 4. For a richer flavor, use real maple syrup instead of maple flavored syrup.

5. Cooper's Kolacky Cookies

Description: Delicate and buttery, these Kolacky Cookies are a holiday staple, featuring a rich cream cheese dough and a sweet fruit filling. A delightful treat that melts in your mouth!

Why You Should Try This: Kolacky cookies are a classic holiday treat, loved for their simple yet elegant flavor and texture.

Tip or Fun Fact:

• 1. For best results, use high-quality fruit preserves with a thick consistency to prevent them from leaking during baking.
• 2. If the dough becomes too soft while working with it, return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up.
• 3. Feel free to experiment with different fillings, such as Nutella, or a cream cheese mixture.
• 4. These cookies are best enjoyed within 3-4 days of baking, but they can be stored for longer in the freezer.