Holiday Bread
Holiday Bread - delicious homemade holiday bread recipe loaded with pecans and dried fruits. This bread is all you need for holidays.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 55 min
- Yield
- 16 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold )
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 cup dried tart cherries (or other dried fruit)
- 1/3 cup pecans
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon peel (grated )
- 2 large eggs
- powdered sugar
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 325°F (150°C) and grease a large cookie sheet. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Using a pastry blender or two knives in a scissors fashion, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the ricotta, dried cherries, pecans, vanilla, lemon peel, and eggs until well combined.
- 2
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. With floured hands, gently knead the dough two or three times to blend. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a 10" by 8" (20 cm) oval. Fold the oval lengthwise, bringing the top half over so that the bottom of the dough extends by about 1 inch (2.5 cm).
- 3
Place the dough on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the dough to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving.