Your gift counts double until 5/31: $15,989 to go in our Easter Campaign. Please help now!

Catholic Recipe: Christmas Bread

    INGREDIENTS

  • 2 packages active dry, or cake, yeast
  • 1/4 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup soft butter
  • 7 cups sifted all-purpose flour, divided
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 1 egg, separated
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1/2 cup seedless raisins
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped candied lemon peel
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Details

  • Yield: 2 loaves
  • Prep Time: 5 hours
  • Difficulty: • •
  • Cost: $$$$
  • For Ages: 15+
  • Origin: Italy

Also Called: Panettone

DIRECTIONS

Soften yeast in water. Scald milk. Add sugar, salt, butter. Cool to lukewarm. Add 2 cups flour; beat well. Add yeast; mix well. Cover; let rise 1 hour in warm place. Punch dough down. Add beaten eggs, 1 yolk, reserving 1 egg white for glaze. Add vanilla; beat well. Combine with enough additional flour to make soft dough. Turn out on lightly floured board. Knead in raisins, almonds, lemon peel, and continue kneading until dough is smooth. Place in greased bowl. Let rise 1-1/2 hours, until double in bulk. Punch dough down. Divide in 2 parts. Reserve 10 minutes. Shape each portion into round loaf. Place in well-greased round 8-inch pans. Combine egg white, water; brush top of loaves with mixture. Let rise 1 hour, until double in bulk. Brush loaves again with egg mixture. Bake 35-40 minutes at 350°. Yield, 2 loaves

Recipe Source: Catholic Cookbook, The by William I. Kaufman, The Citadel Press, New York, 1965
Catholic Liturgical Year Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

Revealing News, and Revealing Christ May 24
The Russell Ford problem May 24
Fr. Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly: Your Letter May Help May 24
The Rise and Fall of the (American?) Church May 23
The Ideal of Pope Francis: the Servant Church May 23

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8