The holiday season brings with it a unique kind of joy, a sense of warmth, and, for many, the delightful challenge of planning the perfect Christmas morning breakfast. While the tree twinkles and carols play, what better way to kick off the festive day than with a beautifully baked treat that fills your home with irresistible aromas?
Festive Christmas Coffee Cake Ring: A Delicious Holiday Breakfast Recipe
This exquisite Christmas Coffee Cake recipe is truly dressed for the holidays, boasting a rich medley of aromatic spices, vibrant candied fruit, and crunchy walnuts. It’s more than just a cake; it’s a centerpiece, a tradition, and a celebration of flavors that embodies the spirit of the season.
Recipe sponsored by Red Star Yeast.
The Great Christmas Morning Breakfast Dilemma
What do you typically prepare for breakfast on Christmas morning? For many, including myself, it’s a question that sparks weeks of enjoyable contemplation. The options seem endless, each with its own charm and appeal. Should it be something wonderfully sweet to indulge in the morning’s magic, or perhaps a savory dish to provide a hearty start to a day of festivities?
The internal debate often continues: do I opt for something intricate and labor-intensive, requiring careful preparation the night before, or do I keep it blissfully simple, whipping up a delicious meal in the calm of Christmas morning? Pancakes or French toast? Bacon or sausage? The sheer number of choices can be overwhelming, yet it’s all part of the fun of holiday planning.
Introducing Your New Holiday Morning Star: The Christmas Coffee Cake Ring
This delightful yeast Christmas Coffee Cake is not just a good option; it’s an exceptional one that absolutely deserves a prime spot on your menu for this year’s big morning. Imagine waking up to the irresistible scent of cinnamon and nutmeg mingling with the sweet aroma of baking bread. This cake delivers exactly that, promising a festive and utterly delicious start to your Christmas celebrations.
It’s generously studded with a vibrant combination of nuts and candied fruit, creating both visual appeal and a burst of flavor in every bite. For this particular recipe, I opted for a classic mix of candied cherries, sweet pineapple, and plump golden raisins. However, the beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility; you can truly make it your own by choosing any candied fruits that you and your family love. Think vibrant green candied citrus peel for an extra zesty note, or perhaps a mix of dried cranberries and apricots for a different texture and tang. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor this treat to your exact preferences.
What makes this cake truly stand out is its unique character. It’s a delightful cross between a rich, sweet bread and a traditional, moist coffee cake. This harmonious blend ensures a satisfying chewiness from the yeast dough, combined with the tender crumb expected from a classic coffee cake. The result is a universally appealing treat that is sure to please everyone gathered around your Christmas morning table, from the youngest to the oldest.
Tips for Baking a Perfect Yeast Coffee Cake
Working with yeast might seem intimidating to some, but it’s a remarkably rewarding process that yields incredible texture and flavor. Here are a few tips to ensure your Christmas Coffee Cake Ring turns out perfectly:
- Activate Your Yeast Properly: The first step is crucial. Ensure your milk and butter mixture is warmed to the correct temperature (120-130°F). If it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate; too hot, and it will kill the yeast. This sweet spot is vital for a good rise. You’ll know your yeast is active if it becomes foamy after a few minutes in the warm liquid.
- Don’t Rush the Rise: Yeast dough requires patience. The “doubled in size” instruction is key. Find a warm, draft-free spot for your dough to rise. This could be a slightly warm oven (turned off!), near a sunny window, or just on your counter in a warm kitchen. A slow, steady rise builds flavor and results in a lighter, airier texture.
- Flour Wisely: When adding the flour, do so gradually. Different flours and humidity levels can affect the amount needed. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, but manageable. Avoid adding too much flour, as this can lead to a dense, dry cake.
- The Art of Shaping: Rolling the dough into a rectangle and then a tight log is important for an even distribution of the filling. When shaping the ring and making cuts, a sharp knife is your best friend. Twisting each section exposes the beautiful layers and allows for even baking and a stunning presentation.
- Cool Before Glazing: Always wait for your coffee cake to cool completely before applying the glaze. If the cake is warm, the glaze will simply melt and run off, rather than setting into a lovely, opaque finish.
Customizing Your Festive Flavors
The beauty of this Christmas Coffee Cake Ring lies in its adaptability. While the recipe provides a fantastic foundation, you can easily tweak the ingredients to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
- Candied Fruit Choices: The recipe suggests candied cherries, pineapple, and golden raisins. However, feel free to experiment! Mixed candied fruit peels (often found in holiday baking aisles), dried cranberries, chopped apricots, or even a combination of these would be wonderful. Just ensure the total amount remains around 1 cup (150 grams) for optimal texture.
- Nut Variations: Walnuts provide a classic crunch and rich flavor, but pecans, almonds, or even a mix of different nuts would work beautifully. Lightly toasting them before adding them to the dough can enhance their flavor significantly.
- Spice Adjustments: Cinnamon and nutmeg are quintessential holiday spices. If you enjoy a bolder spice profile, a pinch of ground cloves or allspice could be a delightful addition to the dough. Always ensure your spices are fresh for the most potent flavor.
- Glaze Flavor: The almond extract in the glaze adds a subtle, elegant touch. For a different twist, you could use vanilla extract, orange extract, or even a little bit of lemon zest for a brighter glaze.
Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own; it’s a fantastic canvas for your creative holiday baking!
Christmas Coffee Cake Ring
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (56 grams)
- 1 cup whole milk (237 ml)
- 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast (7 grams, 1 envelope)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
- 1 large egg
- 3 ½ cup all-purpose flour (420 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup candied fruit (150 grams)
- ⅓ cup walnuts , chopped (43 grams)
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar , sifted (227 grams)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
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Heat the butter and milk in a small saucepan over low heat until butter is melted. Remove and cool for about 5 minutes, until 120-130°F. Pour mixture into a large bowl and add the yeast, sugar and egg.
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Mix in 1 ½ cups of the flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, candied fruit and walnuts. Add the remaining flour 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition until incorporated. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warm place. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
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On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle. Starting with a long end, roll it up tightly. Place rolled dough on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and shape into a ring.
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Use a sharp knife to make cuts two-thirds of the way into the dough every 2 inches. Twist each section so that it lies parallel to the sheet pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled again, about 30-45 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake coffee cake until golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Let cool.
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To make the icing, stir together the sifted powdered sugar, milk and almond extract. Drizzle over cooled cake. Garnish the cake with additional candied fruit and walnuts.
Notes
Serving Your Christmas Coffee Cake Ring
Once baked and glazed, this Christmas Coffee Cake Ring is ready to shine. Serve it warm or at room temperature, accompanied by freshly brewed coffee, a mug of hot cocoa, or a soothing cup of tea. The intricate shape and festive garnishes make it a stunning addition to any holiday table, perfect for a leisurely Christmas morning breakfast or a delightful brunch with loved ones.
For best results, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness. You can gently warm slices in the microwave or oven before serving to revive their soft texture and aromatic qualities.
A New Tradition for Your Holiday Table
This Christmas Coffee Cake Ring is more than just a recipe; it’s an opportunity to create cherished holiday memories. The process of making it, from watching the dough rise to decorating the finished ring, can become a joyful tradition in itself. Its festive flavors and beautiful presentation capture the essence of the season, making every bite feel like a special occasion. Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering or enjoying a quiet morning at home, this coffee cake promises to add a touch of magic to your Christmas celebrations.
We hope this recipe brings warmth, flavor, and cheer to your holiday season. Happy baking!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Red Star Yeast. All opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting partnerships with brands I believe in, making it easier to bring you more great recipes like this one.