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      Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Read More Next
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  4. 25+ Homemade Bread Gifts to Celebrate Christmas

25+ Homemade Bread Gifts to Celebrate Christmas

Updated December 01, 2020
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Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

'Tis the season to be baking--and giving.  Whether you're looking for a great teacher gift or something to bring to your sweet neighbors, it's hard to beat a loaf of homemade bread.  (And we all upped our homemade bread-making game during the pandemic, right?) From rum-laced banana bread to mini cranberry panettone and fruit-filled stollen, these festive breads make perfect holiday gifts.  

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Grapefruit Poppy Seed Muffins

Credit: Gina DeSimone; Prop styling: Kashara Johnson; Food Styling: Marianne Williams

Grapefruit Poppy Seed Muffins Recipe

These delightfully tender, not-too-sweet muffins are a delicious twist on the classic lemon poppy seed combo. Grapefruit works exceptionally well in this context, as the flavor comes through delicately, without any of the citrus fruit’s signature bitterness. And the flavors of both the star ingredients of the grapefruit-Champagne glaze shine through deliciously, truly setting these beauties apart, especially in terms of brunch-worthiness. After you’ve set aside a tablespoon for the muffins, simply use the rest of your bottle of Champagne (or you can also use Prosseco) to whip up a round of mimosas. 

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Apple-Cheddar Bread

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Apple-Cheddar Bread Recipe

Try this bread sandwiched with ham and apple slices, or cut it into cubes and toast it to make croutons for salads and soups.

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Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Recipe

Mix the batter only until the dry ingredients disappear. (Lumps are normal.) Overmixing causes tough or misshapen loaves.

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Sugar-Frosted Cardamom Braid

Credit: Randy Mayor

Sugar-Frosted Cardamom Braid Recipe

Like yeast breads in Scandinavia, this beautiful braided loaf is scented with spicy-sweet cardamom, an aromatic spice used in baked goods and curries. A little lemon zest adds more lush flavor, and then the sweet, easy-to-make bread is frosted with sugar.

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Mini Pumpkin Spice Loaves

Credit: Oxmoor House

Mini Pumpkin Spice Loaves Recipe

Perfect for gift giving, these mini loaves have just the right balance of holiday spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Top the loaves with cream cheese icing before giving or wrap un-iced loaves individually and present with a small jar of icing.

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Southern Soda Bread

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Southern Soda Bread Recipe

This hearty bread is simple and quick to make, so prepare extra and share with friends. Present each loaf by wrapping in plastic wrap and then in a festive kitchen towel. Tie with colorful ribbon or raffia then round out the gift by adding a jar of sweet preserves.

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Pecan-Topped Pumpkin Bread

Credit: Beau Gustafson; Katie Stoddard

Pecan-Topped Pumpkin Bread Recipe

So, don't expect any leftovers with this easy holiday tea bread made with canned pumpkin. Wrap it first in plastic, then orange tissue, and tie with a chocolate colored ribbon.

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Potato-Sour Cream Biscuits

Potato-Sour Cream Biscuits Recipe

Line a pretty basket with decorative linens then pile high with these tender and flaky biscuits. Gather the linen at the top and tie with a festive bow before presenting to neighbors or friends.

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Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze

Credit: Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley and Kathryn Conrad

Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze Recipe

Take a walk on the tropical side for the holidays with this oh-so-good banana bread. Laced with dark rum and coconut, it's crowned with a tart lime glaze. Gift wrap with a funky holiday kitchen towel and tie with red string licorice.

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Mini Fruit and Sunflower Loaves

Mini Fruit and Sunflower Loaves Recipe

Sneak these cute little fruit and sunflower seed loaves onto co-workers' desks for a holiday surprise. With a scoop of cornmeal and a splash of maple syrup, they're a sweet-savory combination that's bound to win over even picky eaters.

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Golden Pumpkin-Walnut Loaf

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Golden Pumpkin-Walnut Loaf Recipe

Sugar and spice and everything nice come together in this simple but unusual pumpkin-walnut tea loaf. Spices include cardamom, ginger, and mace instead of the usual cinnamon, so make it for friends and family that like a taste of adventure with their holiday flavor.

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Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins

Credit: Beau Gustafson; Katie Stoddard

Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins Recipe

Always a hit at holiday brunch, these moist pumpkin muffins are studded with dried cranberries for a sweet and tangy flavor. For gift giving, line a holiday craft box with parchment. Add a bundle of plastic-wrapped muffins, top with the lid, and tie shut with raffia.

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Panettone (Italian Christmas Bread)

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Panettone (Italian Christmas Bread) Recipe

This sweet cylinder-shaped bread is similar to a fruitcake and traditionally served during the holidays in italy.

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Chocolate-Filled Buns

Credit: Beau Gustafson; Katie Stoddard

Chocolate-Filled Buns Recipe

If eating chocolate-filled croissants is one of your favorite holiday memories, you'll want to try this healthier recipe featuring a soft whole wheat bun and a reduced-fat chocolate filling.

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Cinnamon-Date-Pecan Rolls with Maple Glaze

Cinnamon-Date-Pecan Rolls with Maple Glaze Recipe

These extra-special cinnamon rolls are enhanced with both dates and pecans and make a perfect offering for a holiday breakfast or brunch.

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Fig-Walnut Sticky Buns

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Jan Gautro, Leigh Ann Ross

Fig-Walnut Sticky Buns Recipe

Make warm sticky buns a part of your family holiday tradition if they aren't already. Dried figs and chopped walnuts give these extra flavor and crunch.

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Cinnamon Crisp-Topped Cream Cheese-Banana-Nut Bread

Cinnamon Crisp-Topped Cream Cheese-Banana-Nut Bread Recipe

The sugary, cinnamon-scented streusel topping turns plain banana bread into a holiday treat that's perfect for breakfast or brunch. Or wrap up a loaf and a give it as a gift.

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Praline Pull-Apart Bread

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Caroline Murphey

Praline Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

Start with frozen bread roll dough to create this impressive sweet holiday breakfast treat.

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Pumpkin-Cinnamon Streusel Buns

Credit: Randy Mayor; Mary Catherine Muir

Pumpkin-Cinnamon Streusel Buns Recipe

Cinnamon rolls take on a whole new holiday flavor with the addition of pureed pumpkin and nutmeg.

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Cranberry-Orange Bread with Grand Marnier Glaze

Credit: Leigh Beisch

Cranberry-Orange Bread with Grand Marnier Glaze Recipe

Forget French pastry. This sweet holiday tea bread, topped with a Grand Marnier glaze and laced with cranberries, orange zest, and butter, is major league amazing. Even better, it's make-ahead friendly and freezes perfectly. Bake two large loaves or six small ones.

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Christmas Stollen

Credit: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

Christmas Stollen Recipe

Stollen is a traditional German Christmas yeast bread that's filled with dried fruit and topped with a sugary glaze and candied cherries. It's usually shaped into a folded oval and is a welcomed gift during the holidays.

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Mini Cranberry Panettones

Credit: Randy Mayor

Mini Cranberry Panettones Recipe

This version of the sweet Italian yeast bread called panettone is made in muffin tins to streamline the baking process. Tuck these little cranberry-studded gems into holiday decorated plastic bags or colorful Chinese take-out cartons and give to neighbors, teachers, or friends.

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Freezer Cinnamon-Fruit Rolls

Credit: Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Freezer Cinnamon-Fruit Rolls Recipe

Gooey cinnamon rolls are tricked out with an extra special filling of toasted pecans, cinnamon, and dried fruit. But their best feature: the rolls go from freezer to oven in just 30 minutes. Perfect for make-ahead holiday breakfasts or gift giving.

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Julekage (Danish Christmas Fruit Loaf)

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Julekage (Danish Christmas Fruit Loaf) Recipe

Typically baked with candied citrus rind and either spiced apples or dried fruit (our choice), this rich Scandinavian sweet bread is then crowned with a sweet, snowy-white glaze.

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Swedish Saffron Bread

Credit: Randy Mayor

Swedish Saffron Bread Recipe

Traditionally served in Sweden on December 13 to commemorate St. Lucia, Swedish saffron bread is great anytime and makes a fitting accompaniment for breakfast or brunch.

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Cranberry Pull-Apart Bread with Orange-Cream Cheese Icing

Credit: Greg DuPree

Cranberry Pull-Apart Bread with Orange-Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

The entire family will love the sticky-fingered fun of tearing apart these sweet layers filled with tangy cranberries and bright orange zest. The recipe makes two loaves of bread; give one as a gift, and take the other to brunch.

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Mini Pecan Monkey Bread Loaves

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Mini Pecan Monkey Bread Loaves Recipe

These caramel-drizzled treats will be a hit --and you'll love them even more because they are made with frozen dough and can be prepped in advance. Assemble the loaves, and store in the refrigerator overnight. Let them rise and bake as instructed.

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Everything in This Slideshow

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1 of 27 Grapefruit Poppy Seed Muffins
2 of 27 Apple-Cheddar Bread
3 of 27 Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread
4 of 27 Sugar-Frosted Cardamom Braid
5 of 27 Mini Pumpkin Spice Loaves
6 of 27 Southern Soda Bread
7 of 27 Pecan-Topped Pumpkin Bread
8 of 27 Potato-Sour Cream Biscuits
9 of 27 Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze
10 of 27 Mini Fruit and Sunflower Loaves
11 of 27 Golden Pumpkin-Walnut Loaf
12 of 27 Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins
13 of 27 Panettone (Italian Christmas Bread)
14 of 27 Chocolate-Filled Buns
15 of 27 Cinnamon-Date-Pecan Rolls with Maple Glaze
16 of 27 Fig-Walnut Sticky Buns
17 of 27 Cinnamon Crisp-Topped Cream Cheese-Banana-Nut Bread
18 of 27 Praline Pull-Apart Bread
19 of 27 Pumpkin-Cinnamon Streusel Buns
20 of 27 Cranberry-Orange Bread with Grand Marnier Glaze
21 of 27 Christmas Stollen
22 of 27 Mini Cranberry Panettones
23 of 27 Freezer Cinnamon-Fruit Rolls
24 of 27 Julekage (Danish Christmas Fruit Loaf)
25 of 27 Swedish Saffron Bread
26 of 27 Cranberry Pull-Apart Bread with Orange-Cream Cheese Icing
27 of 27 Mini Pecan Monkey Bread Loaves

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25+ Homemade Bread Gifts to Celebrate Christmas
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