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0 from 12 votes

Italian Christmas Bread

n Italian sweet Christmas Bread, full of nuts, candied fruit & chocolate. Perfect anytime, breakfast, snack or dessert.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Resting Time
2 hrs
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 22 slices
Calories: 231 kcal
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: Italian

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 tablespoons 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.

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Chop whole nuts into large pieces, place on a cookie sheet and roast in a pre heated 350F (180C) oven for approximately 5 minutes.  Move to a clean bowl and let cool.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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, 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.
  5. Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly butter a small round cookie / pizza pan.
  6. Remove the loaf from the bowl and place on prepared pan and bake for approximately 50-55 minutes, check for doneness with a toothpick.  Let cool completely before cutting. Enjoy!
**If you decide to use the baking powder then there is not rising time just place directly on the buttered cookie sheet and bake for approximately 60-70 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 231kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 29g (10%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 28mg (9%) Sodium 52mg (2%) Potassium 96mg (3%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 165IU (3%) Vitamin C 0.3mg (0%) Calcium 34mg (3%) Iron 1.7mg (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 22slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 231

% Daily Value*

Calories 231kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 29g 10%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 28mg 9%
Sodium 52mg 2%
Potassium 96mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 165IU 3%
Vitamin C 0.3mg 0%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 1.7mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.