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Candy Cane Holiday Bread

A rich dough and colorful cherries make this festive holiday bread irresistible.

Candy Cane Holiday Bread

Print Recipe

Yield

3 candy cane braids 3 candy cane braids

Prep Time

0:50 0:50

Bake Time

15 to 20 minutes 15 to 20 minutes

Rest Time

10 minutes 10 minutes

Rise Time

45 minutes 45 minutes

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Ingredients

  • 6-1/2 to 7-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 (4-1/2 tsp.) envelopes Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Instant Yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1-1/4 cups buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups drained and chopped maraschino cherries
  • Powdered Sugar Glaze
  • 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
  • Maraschino cherries, halved (optional)

Directions

  1. Combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, undissolved yeast and salt in a large mixer bowl. Heat buttermilk, sour cream, water and butter until very warm (120° to 130°F). Gradually add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 1 cup flour. Beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
  2. Divide dough into 3 equal portions. Roll each to a 15 x 6-inch rectangle. Transfer to greased baking sheets. Sprinkle chopped maraschino cherries lengthwise over center third of each rectangle. With sharp knife, make cuts from filling to dough edges at 1/2-inch intervals along sides of filling. Alternating sides, fold strips at an angle across filling. Shape into candy canes. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
  3. Bake in 375°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or lightly browned, rotating pans as needed. Remove from sheets; cool on wire racks. Drizzle with Powdered Sugar Glaze; decorate with halved maraschino cherries, if desired.
  4. Powdered Sugar Glaze: Combine powdered sugar, vanilla and milk in a small bowl, adding enough milk to reach drizzling consistency. Stir until smooth.

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