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Santa Sweet Bread

This adorable Santa-shaped sweet bread is made from a tender, buttery yeast dough and decorated with red dough, pearl sugar, and simple shaping techniques. It’s perfect for Christmas breakfast, holiday baking with kids, or gifting as a festive edible treat. The dough is easy to customize with vanilla, cardamom, candied fruit, or raisins. Serve warm with butter or hot chocolate.

Course Breads
Cuisine American/Canadian
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 8
Calories 287 kcal

Ingredients

  • ⅔ cup table cream room temperature
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1½ tsp yeast
  • 2 oz butter softened
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1- 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 2-3 drops red food colouring
  • 1½ tbsp pearl sugar or substitute coconut shavings/almond petals

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast and start the dough.
  2. Add the yeast, salt, and sugar to the room-temperature cream. Stir until bubbles begin to form. This means the yeast has started fermenting. Add flour and begin kneading into a soft dough.
  3. Incorporate the butter.
  4. Continue adding flour gradually until the dough is soft and slightly sticky. Place the dough on a board, stretch it gently, and place the warm, softened butter onto the dough.
  5. Fold the dough over the butter and knead until fully incorporated. Transfer the dough to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size.
  6. Divide and colour the dough.
  7. Punch down the risen dough. Cut off one-third and tint it red. Form a small ball from some of the red dough for the Santa’s nose.
  8. Divide the remaining white dough in half. Pinch off a small piece from one section and roll it into a ball for the pompom of the hat.
  9. Arrange the red and white dough on baking paper and begin shaping your Santa (or gnome), creating the hat, face, and base.
  10. Shape the beard and add details.
  11. Use the remaining white dough to form the beard and fringes. Add the nose and pompom. Sprinkle the beard and fringe generously with pearl sugar (or your substitute).
  12. Bake at 375°F (190°C) until the edges are golden brown. Cool on a rack before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Santa Sweet Bread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 287 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Trans Fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 58mg19%
Sodium 133mg6%
Potassium 76mg2%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 498IU10%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 24mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.