Carolyns holiday fruit bread –Indulge in the delightful essence of the holiday season with this traditional Christmas Fruit Bread, a cherished recipe from Newfoundland. This fruit-laden bread is perfect for breakfast, tea time, or as a festive treat to share with loved ones. Follow this easy guide to create a masterpiece that will fill your home with a warm, inviting aroma.
Christmas Fruit Bread
This exquisite bread brims with spices, fruits, and nuts, making it a wonderful addition to your holiday celebrations.

Ingredients
Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, and chopped dried apricots)
- 1 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your Christmas Fruit Bread:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients, mixing until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Gradually add this mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the mixed dried fruit and chopped nuts, ensuring an even distribution throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and serve your Christmas Fruit Bread warm or at room temperature. Enjoy this festive treat with a cup of tea or coffee, and share it with friends and family!
This recipe beautifully encapsulates the flavors of the season and is sure to become a holiday favorite. Happy baking!