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Moravian Christmas Loaf

Moravian Christmas Loaf recipe image
This classic Moravian Christmas loaf is a beloved holiday tradition known for its soft, tender crumb and rich, sweet flavor. The dough is enriched with milk, butter, and sugar, creating a luxurious texture that feels indulgent yet comforting. Loaded with a medley of dried fruits including raisins, currants, and chopped citron, every bite offers a burst of fruity sweetness balanced by the savory notes of yeast and salt. Topped with toasted sliced almonds, this loaf has a beautiful golden crust and a fragrant aroma that fills the kitchen. It is perfect for Christmas morning breakfast, holiday gatherings, or as a thoughtful gift. While traditionally made overnight, the result is a timeless treat that pairs wonderfully with butter or jam, bringing a taste of heritage to your festive table.
Cooking Method:
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 12
Calories: 1787.9
Dietary: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Moravian Christmas loaf is a beloved holiday tradition known for its soft, tender crumb and rich, sweet flavor. The dough is enriched with milk, butter, and sugar, creating a luxurious texture that feels indulgent yet comforting. Loaded with a medley of dried fruits including raisins, currants, and chopped citron, every bite offers a burst of fruity sweetness balanced by the savory notes of yeast and salt. Topped with toasted sliced almonds, this loaf has a beautiful golden crust and a fragrant aroma that fills the kitchen. It is perfect for Christmas morning breakfast, holiday gatherings, or as a thoughtful gift. While traditionally made overnight, the result is a timeless treat that pairs wonderfully with butter or jam, bringing a taste of heritage to your festive table.
Ingredients
  • 3 cup Milk
  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1 package Active Dry Yeast
  • 1/4 cup Warm Water
  • 6 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 pound Raisins
  • 1/2 pound Currants
  • 1/4 pound Chopped Citron
  • 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds, blanched
Directions
  1. 1
    Scald 2 cups of the milk and let it cool to lukewarm temperature.
  2. 2
    Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water and let stand until foamy.
  3. 3
    In a large bowl, combine the cooled milk, yeast mixture, 3 cups of flour, and salt.
  4. 4
    Mix well until a smooth batter forms.
  5. 5
    Cover the bowl and let the mixture rise in a warm place overnight.
  6. 6
    The next morning, scald the remaining 1 cup of milk and melt the butter in it.
  7. 7
    Stir the melted butter mixture into the risen yeast batter.
  8. 8
    Add the sugar and the remaining 3 cups of flour, kneading the dough until smooth and no longer sticky.
  9. 9
    Add more flour if necessary to prevent sticking.
  10. 10
    Toss the raisins, currants, and citron with a little flour to prevent clumping.
  11. 11
    Fold the fruit mixture into the dough until evenly distributed.
  12. 12
    Cover the dough and let it rise again until doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours.
  13. 13
    Punch down the dough and shape it into small loaves.
  14. 14
    Place the loaves in greased small baking pans.
  15. 15
    Sprinkle the top of each loaf with the sliced almonds.
  16. 16
    Let the loaves rise for about 2 hours until puffy.
  17. 17
    Preheat oven to 400F (200C).
  18. 18
    Bake the loaves for 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1787.9kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5.7g9%
Saturated Fat 2.0g10%
Cholesterol 3.6mg2%
Sodium 87.2mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 387.4g130%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g48%
Sugars 112.1g
Protein 43.9g88%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Overnight Rising: This recipe relies on an overnight cold or warm rise. If you prefer a faster method, you can use instant yeast and allow the first rise for 1-2 hours instead of overnight, but the flavor development from the long rise is superior.

Fruit Substitutions: If you cannot find citron, you can substitute with chopped dried apricots or peaches. For a variation, add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts along with the almonds.

Storage: Store cooled loaves in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing.

Testing Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it should come out clean. The bottom should sound hollow when tapped.

Keywords: moravian, christmas, loaf, bread, yeast, raisins, currants, citron, almonds, holiday, traditional, sweet, fruitcake, german, pastry, oven, rising, kneading, breakfast, dessert
Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/moravian-christmas-loaf/