Description
A tender, citrus-spiced Christmas loaf studded with dried fruit and almonds, finished with an orange-vanilla glaze and sparkling sugar—perfect for gifting and winter brunch.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups (330 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (70 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temp
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk (or buttermilk)
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 large orange (about 1 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (cranberries + golden raisins)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped candied orange peel (optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, divided
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp orange juice (for glaze)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for glaze)
- Pinch of salt
- 1–2 tbsp white sparkling sugar (for topping)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment.
2. Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In a large bowl whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk in eggs.
4. Whisk in milk, sour cream, vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice until smooth.
5. Toss dried fruit and candied peel with 1 tbsp flour; fold into batter with 1/4 cup almonds.
6. Spread batter in pan, top with remaining 1/4 cup almonds.
7. Bake 50–60 minutes, tenting with foil if browning too quickly. Toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool 15 minutes in pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
9. Whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and a pinch of salt to make a pourable glaze.
10. Drizzle glaze over cooled loaf and finish with sparkling sugar. Let set 20–30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Mini loaves (5×3-inch) bake in 28–34 minutes; perfect for gifts.
For extra moisture, swap milk for buttermilk.
Add 1/2 tsp almond extract for a marzipan note or 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips for a dessert-style loaf.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 loaf)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg