Candy Cane Bread
Candy Cane Bread Recipe - A Festive and Easy-to-Make Treat
Introduction
Candy Cane Bread is a festive and delicious treat that is perfect for the holiday season. This sweet bread is shaped like a candy cane and is sure to impress your family and friends.
History
The Candy Cane Bread recipe has been passed down through generations and is a popular holiday tradition in many households. The bread is typically made during the Christmas season and is often enjoyed as a special treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 0.25 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 0.5 tbsp salt
- 0.5 cup margarine
- 0.25 cup chopped nuts
- 1 egg, beaten
- 0.5 cup milk
- Red and green decorator icing (optional)
- powdered sugar for icing
How to prepare
- Grease a cookie sheet and set it aside.
- In a bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the nuts.
- Combine the egg and milk.
- Stir the egg and milk mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened.
- On a lightly floured surface, pat the dough into a 10 x 7" rectangle.
- Cut the dough crosswise into 1" wide strips.
- Twist each strip by holding both ends.
- Bend one end to form a candy cane shape.
- Place the candy canes several inches apart on the greased cookie sheet.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (218°C) for 10 minutes or until light brown.
- Carefully remove the candy canes from the cookie sheet and transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
- Frost the cooled candy canes with decorator icing or powdered sugar icing.
- To make powdered sugar icing, combine 2 cups of powdered sugar with enough milk to make a drizzling consistency (about 3 tbsp) in a small bowl.
- Drizzle the powdered sugar icing over the cooled candy canes.
- This recipe makes 10 candy canes.
Variations
- Add peppermint extract to the dough for a minty twist.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the icing for extra crunch and flavor.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Make sure to twist the dough strips carefully to create the candy cane shape.
- Be sure to bake the candy canes until they are light brown to ensure they are cooked through.
- Get creative with your icing decorations to make your candy canes even more festive.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Candy Cane Bread as a festive dessert or snack during the holiday season. Pair it with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee for a delicious treat.
Cooking Techniques
Be sure to twist the dough carefully to create the candy cane shape.
- Bake the candy canes until they are light brown to ensure they are cooked through.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use butter instead of margarine in this recipe.
- Feel free to use any type of nuts you prefer in the dough.
Make Ahead Tips
You can prepare the dough for Candy Cane Bread ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake the candy canes.
Presentation Ideas
Arrange the Candy Cane Bread on a festive platter and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a beautiful presentation.
Pairing Recommendations
Serve Candy Cane Bread with a glass of milk or eggnog for a delicious holiday treat.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover Candy Cane Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the bread in a 350°F (177°C) oven for a few minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving
Each serving of Candy Cane Bread contains approximately 250 calories.
Carbohydrates
Each serving of Candy Cane Bread contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates.
Fats
Each serving of Candy Cane Bread contains approximately 10 grams of fat.
Proteins
Each serving of Candy Cane Bread contains approximately 4 grams of protein.
Vitamins and minerals
Candy Cane Bread is not a significant source of vitamins and minerals.
Alergens
This recipe contains nuts and eggs.
Summary
Candy Cane Bread is a sweet and indulgent treat that is best enjoyed in moderation due to its high sugar and fat content.
Summary
Candy Cane Bread is a fun and festive holiday treat that is sure to impress your family and friends. With its sweet flavor and candy cane shape, this bread is a perfect addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
How did I get this recipe?
I distinctly remember the first time I saw this recipe for Candy Cane Bread. It was a cold winter day, just a few weeks before Christmas, and I had ventured out to the local library in search of some holiday baking inspiration. As I was browsing through the shelves of cookbooks, a brightly colored book caught my eye. It was an old, well-loved cookbook with a faded cover that read "Festive Baking for the Holidays."
I eagerly flipped through the pages, searching for something new and exciting to try. And there it was - a recipe for Candy Cane Bread. The picture that accompanied the recipe showed a loaf of bread twisted into a festive candy cane shape, with red and white stripes running through it. It looked so beautiful and delicious that I knew I had to give it a try.
I quickly copied down the recipe and headed home to gather the ingredients. The recipe called for flour, sugar, yeast, milk, butter, and peppermint extract. As I measured out the ingredients and mixed them together, the sweet smell of peppermint filled the air, making me even more excited to see how the bread would turn out.
After letting the dough rise and carefully shaping it into the iconic candy cane shape, I popped it into the oven to bake. The smell that wafted from the oven as the bread baked was simply heavenly. When I pulled it out and saw the golden brown crust and the swirls of red and white, I knew I had created something truly special.
I couldn't wait to share my creation with my family and friends. As they gathered around the table to try a slice of the Candy Cane Bread, their eyes lit up with delight. The bread was soft and fluffy, with just the right amount of peppermint flavor. It was a hit, and I knew that this recipe would become a holiday tradition in our household.
Over the years, I have made Candy Cane Bread countless times, each time tweaking the recipe slightly to make it even more delicious. I have shared the recipe with friends, neighbors, and even strangers who have tasted it and begged me for the recipe.
But my favorite memory associated with this recipe is the time I shared it with my granddaughter, who was just a little girl at the time. She had always loved helping me in the kitchen, and I knew she would enjoy making the Candy Cane Bread with me.
As we worked together to measure out the ingredients, mix the dough, and shape it into a candy cane, I could see the joy and excitement on her face. She carefully twisted the dough into shape, her small hands working with precision and care. And when the bread came out of the oven, she proudly showed it off to her parents, beaming with pride.
That day, as we sat around the table enjoying the warm slices of Candy Cane Bread, I realized that this recipe had become more than just a holiday treat. It had become a symbol of the love and tradition that I had passed down to my granddaughter, just as I had learned from my own grandmother so many years ago.
And so, as I continue to make Candy Cane Bread each holiday season, I am reminded of that special day with my granddaughter, and I am grateful for the memories and traditions that this recipe has brought to our family. Cooking and baking have always been a way for me to connect with my loved ones, and I am so thankful for the joy and togetherness that this simple recipe has brought into our lives.