Eating gluten-free around the holidays can be tough, especially when you have to pass on some of your family's favorite recipes. Luckily there are gluten-free options available for just about everything -like Christmas bread- so you can indeed celebrate the season safely, without missing a thing.
Julekake - Norwegian Christmas Bread
This bread uses fruitcake mix to help give it some color and flavor. Fresh cardamom adds an intensity of flavor that will make you forget this bread is gluten-free.
2 teaspoons (or more, to taste) freshly ground cardamom seed
2 cups raisins
1 cup fruitcake mix
1 packet gluten-free yeast
Instructions
Dissolve the yeast in 1/3 cup of milk and set aside.
Heat the remaining milk on the stove until just simmering.
Add the butter, brown sugar and salt to the milk. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl.
Allow the milk mixture to cool, then slowly add the bread flour.
Add in the yeast, eggs and vinegar and beat with an electric mixer for two minutes.
Fold in the raisins, cardamom and fruitcake mix.
Pour the mixture into a buttered bread tin and sprinkle the tops with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Cover and place in a warm area for 30 to 35 minutes to rise.
Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
Substitution
This recipe can easily be made dairy-free as well. Just substitute the warm milk for full-fat coconut milk. Keep all other ratios the same.
Christmas Panettone Bread
This round, firm loaf of bread can be made using dried or candied fruit, depending on your tastes. It bakes up best in a panettone mold, but a brioche mold will work as well.
4 extra-large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature, divided into tablespoons
Cream, for brushing on top
Instructions
Combine the flour, xanthan gum, sugar, yeast, cream of tartar, salt and lemon zest and whisk well to combine.
Place the dried or candied fruit in a separate bowl and toss with a few tablespoons of the flour mixture. Set aside.
Add the vanilla, vinegar, milk, eggs and butter to the flour and mix well for approximately 5 minutes to combine.
Fold in the dried or candied fruit and pour the batter into a buttered panettone pan.
Brush the top of the dough with cream.
Let sit in a warm spot for 30 to 35 minutes to rise, then bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes or until the loaf is golden brown and firm to the touch.
Let cool completely before turning out of the pan.
Fruit Options
Panettone bread works beautifully with a wide variety of fruits. A few you may want to try include:
Candied orange peel
Candied lemon peel
Dried apples
Dried blueberries
Raisins
Dried cranberries
Fruitcake mix
Gingerbread
Gingerbread can be formed in so many ways - cookies, cupcakes, houses - but the origins all date back to a warm, fragrant loaf you can slice. This recipe gives you a spicy gingerbread perfect for spreading with butter and eating for breakfast Christmas morning.
Ingredients
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 stick butter, softened and creamed
1 cup molasses
2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
Instructions
Cream together the butter and brown sugar.
Add in the molasses and mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and spices.
Slowly add the milk and egg to the flour mixture and whisk to combine.
Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture and beat well to combine.
Pour the batter into a buttered bread pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until set in the center.
Enjoy the Holidays
So many holiday traditions center around food that it can be hard to give up your favorites to accommodate your new diet. Now with these gluten-free Christmas bread recipes, you won't have to.
