Holiday Cranberry Yeast Bread Recipes

CRANBERRY YEAST ROLLS

Steps:

• Combine flour, yeast, and pumpkin pie spice in a large mixing bowl.
• Toss cranberries in flour mixture. Set aside.
• Combine half-and-half, sugar, salt and 4 tablespoons of butter in a small sauce pan. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until butter has melted and the contents reach a temperature of 125F.
• Stir half-and-half mixture in with the flour mixture. Stir in eggs until a ball forms.
• Lightly flour a large surface. Knead dough for about 5 minutes, or until smooth.
• Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Divide dough in half and in half again. Shape 6 balls out of each quarter of dough, making 24 balls total.
• Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets and cover. Let rise for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400F. Melt remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and brush on top of rolls.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush more butter on top of hot rolls.
• Store rolls in a large plastic bag until ready to serve. Warm in a 350F oven for a few minutes just before serving. Can also be enjoyed at room temperature.

CRANBERRY WALNUT BREAD

Steps:

• Combine *WARM WATER and YEAST in mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl.* Active Dry Yeast needs 100°F - 110°F water temperature. Combine and allow 5 minute rest until yeast activates.* Quick Rise Instant Yeast needs 120°F - 130°F water temperature. Combine and proceed to step 2.
• Add SUGAR, SALT, OLIVE OIL, FLOUR, CRANBERRIES, and WALNUTS to the mixing bowl (reserve 1/3 cup flour to assist mixing).Stir ingredients together with a utensil (or stand mixer on low speed) until a shaggy dough forms.
• Mix and knead dough with your hands (or stand mixer on low speed) about 5 minutes until it becomes stretchy and pliable. During mixing, sprinkle tiny amounts of the reserved flour into the bowl to prevent sticking.
• Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and shape into a tight, round form, tucking the sides under to form a seam on the bottom.
• Perform 1st proof/rise by placing dough in an oil-coated mixing bowl (or Instant Pot), seam side down. Cover with a towel or draped plastic wrap and allow to double in size (about 45 min).
• Deflate the dough (aka punch it down) to remove air bubbles. You can move on to the next step, or...Perform 2nd proof/rise by shaping the dough into a tight round and repeat step 5. (The 2nd proof/rise is optional, but recommended to further develop texture and flavor)
• Preheat oven to 375°F and let's shape these loaves...Transfer the dough onto lightly floured surface. Press to deflate air pockets and divide dough into 2 or 3 equal sections.Press each piece into a loose rectangle shape.Fold and press dough into itself until it becomes tight while forming it into the final shape (baguette, loaf, or round).Transfer to a prepared baking sheet or loaf pan. Brush surface with olive oil and cover to prevent air exposure.
• Perform final proof/rise by resting forms in a warm spot until nearly doubled in size.Score the dough by making 1/4" slits across each loaf with a razor or knife.
• Bake 20-25 minutes, rotating as needed for even browning.The bread will be golden brown. It should register an internal temperature of 190°F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Transfer loaves onto a cooling rack and rest 5 minutes.Remove loaves from pans and rest on the cooling rack until completely cooled (to retain moisture).Store cooled bread in a plastic bag or airtight container up to 2 days at room temperature or 5 days in the refrigerator.

HOLIDAY CRANBERRY YEAST BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cranberries, brown sugar and molasses; let stand for 1 hour. Stir in 1 cup warm water. , In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in remaining warm water. Add honey; let stand for 5 minutes. Beat in the butter, salt, allspice, whole wheat flour, 1 cup all-purpose flour and cranberry mixture until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat top. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down and turn onto a floured surface; shape into a loaf. Place in a 9x5-in. loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to wire rack to cool.

CRANBERRY-ALMOND HOLIDAY WREATH BREAD

Steps:

• 1.
• Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a large bowl; stir briefly.
• Let stand until foamy (about 5 minutes).
• Stir in milk, sugar, butter, salt, cardamom, eggs, and lemon peel.
• Using electric mixer (with a paddle attachment if you have one) or a heavy spoon, add 2 cups of the flour, 1 cup at a time, beating well after addition.
• Then eat on medium speed for 3 minutes.
• Add 1 1/4 cups more flour; beat until combined.
• Scrape dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth (5 to 10 minutes) adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
• Place in a greased bowl; turn over to grease top.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 1/2 hours).
• Meanwhile, prepare filling.
• In a medium-size bowl, combine butter,flour and sugar.
• Beat until smooth.
• Stir in almonds, dried cranberries, lemon peep, and almond extract.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Punch doubled dough down and knead briefly on a lightly floured board to release ari.
• Roll into a 9- by 30-inch rectangle.
• Crumble filling dough to within 1 inch of edges.
• Beginning at long side, tightly roll up dough, pinching edge against loaf to seal.
• With a sharp knife, cut roll in half lengthwise, carefully turn cut sides up.
• Loosely twist ropes around each other, keeping cut side up.
• Transfer to a greased and floured baking sheet and shape into a 10-inch ring, pinching ends together to seal.
• Let rise, uncovered, in a warm place until puffy (45 to 60 minutes).
• Bake in a 375°F oven until lightly browned (about 20 minutes).
• Transfer to a rack and let cool briefly.
• Meanwhile, prepare sugar glaze.
• In a small bow, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon water; stir until smooth.
• Drizzle over warm bread.