Orange Honey Christmas Braid

Orange Honey Christmas Braid

Well, we still have a few nights before the stockings will be hung, but the cookies are baked, the shopping is done, the cards have been mailed and the gifts are pretty much wrapped! So, today I made my Christmas Bread. This is a wonderful sweet dough recipe that my aunt had given me years ago. It is such a delicious addition to our Christmas morning breakfast. This recipe makes two loaves, so I send one to my son for their Christmas celebration. My aunt would make this bread every year at Christmas and at Easter she would make the same dough to make her Easter Bread. This is a basic sweet dough and can be used for several different breads. This bread is part of my family history...my aunt was a great baker! She passed down so many wonderful recipes. They have now become part of the traditions I share with my family.  
The dough for this bread is pretty easy to make. It can also be made in a bread maker, which I sometimes do. I put all the ingredients into the machine and it does the initial work. I set it for dough and when it is done rising, I take it out of the bread maker and roll it. Whether you use a bread maker or not this is a delicious holiday bread. 
This Christmas Eve my daughter and her family will be with us, along with one of my sons. We will also be joined by other family members, gathering to share family stories, remembering those who won't be with us, eat wonderful food, and share the excitement of a child's joy at Christmas! 
As you hang your stockings this Christmas Eve, here's hoping Santa brings you everything you're wishing for.  And may a peaceful blessed Christmas be yours!  

Orange honey filling

The dough ready to roll

Ready for the oven

This beautiful bread will be enjoyed by my family Christmas morning

From my chaotic kitchen to yours Merry Christmas...Happy Holidays!

Christmas Bread Dough (Sweet Dough)
2 pkg. dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup lukewarm milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
4 to 5 cups flour
1/2 cup butter. softened


Dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk, add salt and sugar. Stir in the eggs, vanilla and lemon rind. Add enough to make a soft dough. Work in the butter. Add more flour if needed. Knead dough on floured surface for 10 minutes or until it is shiny and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl turn the dough and cover the bowl with a towel. Place in a draft-free place to rise for 30 minutes or till doubled in bulk. Dough has risen enough if it does not spring back when fingers are poked into the center. Punch the dough down. Knead it briefly then continue with the Orange Honey Braid.



Orange Honey Braid
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup white raisins

2 egg yolks
2 teaspoons light cream
1/2 cup blanched sliced almonds


Set oven at 350〫Grease a large cookie sheet. Cut dough into two equal parts.  Roll each into a large square 1/4 inch thick. Cream the butter, honey, orange rind and cardamom together. Spread mixture evenly over dough. Scatter Walnuts and raisins over dough. Roll dough up loosely, jelly-roll style. Flatten out filled dough with a rolling pin to make it no more than 1 inch thick. Cut it into three equal strips. Braid the strips and pinch together to form a circle. Let rise till doubled. Brush with egg yolks mixed with cream. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.