Sweet Quick Breads 3

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I wanted to make a set of quick breads again, this time Christmas themed!

Bread flavors:

peppermint
pistachio cherry
eggnog with rum glaze
cardamom swirl
fruitcake
coconut snow
sugar plum
gingerbread
cranberry
mulled wine
sweet potato
red velvet cream
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These were a ton of fun to make. I made them in mini loaf pans to bring to work and give out as gifts. I don’t know if I can choose a favorite. I definitely loved cardamom swirl, eggnog, and sugar plum.

Peppermint

This was delicious and several people’s favorite at work. If you want it to be even stronger peppermint flavor add 1 tsp of peppermint extract.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Andes peppermint crunch chips

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in vanilla
  • In a separate bowl mix together flour, salt, baking powder, and cocoa powder.
  • Add half the flour mixture to the butter and sugar and mix. Stir in the milk then the remaining flour mixture. Stir just till combined. Fold in Andes chips.
  • Pour into pan and bake for 60-75 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.

Pistachio Cherry

This bread comes out light and cakey. It has a pretty green and red festive color and is delicious! The topping is definitely a good addition!

Ingredients:

  • 1 18.25oz package yellow cake mix
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 3oz packages instant pistachio pudding mix
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup maraschino cherries

Optional topping:

  • 2 tbs butter, softened
  • 4 tbs brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup chopped pistachios

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 2 standard loaf pans or 6-8 mini loaf pans.
  • Mix together cake mix, eggs, oil, pudding mix, and sour cream. Fold in cherries
  • Pour into pans. Optional: mix together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pistachios and sprinkle over the top before baking.
  • Bake for 45 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.

Eggnog with Rum Glaze

This bread comes out incredibly moist and is the most cake-like with the glaze icing on top. It was one of my favorites!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups eggnog
  • 2 tsp rum flavored extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 3oz package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Glaze

  • 1 tbs eggnog
  • 2 tbs rum
  • powdered sugar

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in extracts and eggnog
  • In a separate bowl mix together flour, pudding mix, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
  • Add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar and mix. Stir just till combined.
  • Pour into pan and bake for 60-75 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.
  • Stir powdered sugar into eggnog and rum until a good consistency is reached (thinner if you want a light glaze, thicker if you want it to be more frosted). Pour over bread once bread is mostly cooled.

Cardamom Swirl

I am absolutely in love with Swedish cardamom buns so I did a twist on cinnamon swirl bread to have the cardamom flavor come through. This was probably my favorite bread of the set.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 6 tsp ground cardamom
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tbs baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom
  • In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and white sugar. Combine egg, milk, and oil and add to the flour mixture. Stir just until moistened
  • Pour half the batter into the pan, pour half the cardamom sugar mixture over and use a knife to swirl through the batter. Repeat with the remaining batter and cardamom sugar mixture. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture to make a nice crunchy coating.
  • Bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.

Fruitcake

Dense and flavorful with sweet candied fruit, this tasted great and I love the way it looks as a classic Christmas baked good. I loved this one!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup chopped dates
  • 1/2 cup red glazed cherries
  • 1/2 cup green glazed cherries
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • zest of one orange
  • 1 tsp salt

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Mix together the sour cream and baking soda and set aside
  • Toss dates, cherries, and nuts with 1/4 cup flour and set aside.
  • Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in egg. Mix in orange zest then sour cream/baking soda mix. Mix in the 1 3/4 cup flour and salt.
  • Fold in dates, cherries, and nuts to distribute evenly
  • Pour batter into baking pan and bake for 60-75 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.

Coconut Snow

 Wonderful coconut flavor and an excellent bread texture. This one is a winner!

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
  • 6 tbs melted butter

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Add in sugar and coconut and stir to mix. Pour in egg mixture and stir until just combined. Add melted butter and stir until smooth.
  • Pour into pan and bake for 60-75 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean. Sprinkle with more coconut flakes while still warm.

Sugar Plum

 This one was so delicious with its crunchy sugar coating. I loved the way this turned out.
You can make this one with fresh plums if you are able (for a more fruity/tart flavor) or do what I did and use jarred prunes which makes the bread sweeter.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cup jarred prunes, drained (or chopped fresh plums)
  • 1 tbs flour
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • purple food coloring (optional)
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/3 cup plain yogurt
  • White sparkling sugar for topping (sugar sprinkles)

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Stir prunes (or plums) with 1 tbs flour to coat.
  • Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in vanilla and food coloring (if using)
  • In a separate bowl mix together flour, salt, and baking soda.
  • Add half the flour mixture to the butter and sugar and mix. Stir in the yogurt then the remaining flour mixture. Stir just till combined. Stir in prunes (or plums). (I let the prunes get mashed slightly in stirring)
  • Pour into pan. Pour  white sugar sprinkles over the top. Bake for 60-75 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.

Gingerbread

 I love the flavor of gingerbread! This may be my favorite gingerbread thing to make. The soft bread with tons of spice and flavors is amazing. This would pair great with Christmas morning coffee.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tbs ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 8 tbs butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark molasses
  • 2 eggs

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Cream together butter and brown sugar till light and fluffy ~5min. Mix in molasses. Mix in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in vanilla
  • In a separate bowl mix together flour, salt, baking soda, and all spices.
  • Add half the flour mixture to the butter and sugar and mix. Stir in the milk and sour cream then the remaining flour mixture. Stir just till combined.
  • Pour into pan and bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.

Cranberry

 This cranberry bread is SO delicious and moist and the cranberries are a perfect tart flavor with the sweet bread. One of the best ones for sure!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • zest from 1/2 orange
  • 3/4 cup orange juice
  • 3 cups whole fresh cranberries

Optional Topping:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
  • Add in softened butter and beat with a hand or stand mixer until mixture is crumbly. Add egg, orange peel, and orange juice and mix. Fold in cranberries.
  • Pour into pan
  • To make topping, mix together all ingredients and sprinkle over the bread along with some additional cranberries.
  • Bake for 60-75 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.

Mulled Wine

 This bread was beautiful and dark with a wonderful spiced flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp cocoa
  • zest from 1/2 orange
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 cup wine
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 2 tbs honey
  • 1/2 cup walnuts plus more for top
  • 1/2 cup raisins plus more for top

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs.
  • In a separate bowl mix together flour, salt, spices, cocoa, baking soda, and orange juice.
  • Mix together wine, orange juice, and honey in another bowl.
  • Add half the flour mixture to the butter and sugar and mix. Stir in the wine mixture then the remaining flour mixture. Stir just till combined. Fold in raisins and walnuts.
  • Pour into pan and top with more walnuts and raisins. Bake for 45-60 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.

Sweet Potato

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 3/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 cup cooked mashed sweet potatoes
  • 1/2-1 cup chopped pecans
  • mini marshmallows for top (optional)

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 1 standard loaf pan or 3-4 mini loaf pans.
  • Beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat one and a time.
  • Mix together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Add half the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and mix. Mix in the water, then the rest of the flour mixture. Mix in the sweet potatoes and pecans.
  • Pour batter into the pan. Top with a layer of mini-marshmallows. Bake for ~60 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean.

Red Velvet Cream

Ingredients:

Red Velvet Bread

  • 1 package red velvet cake mix
  • 1 3.5oz package vanilla pudding mix
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Swirl

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbs flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease or spray 2 standard loaf pans or 6-8 mini loaf pans.
  • Beat together all Red Velvet Bread ingredients.
  • Beat together all cream swirl ingredients.
  • Spread batter into the pans, alternating between red velvet batter and cream.
  • Bake for ~50-60 minutes until a toothpick or knife tests clean..

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