Chilean Christmas Bread Recipes

CHILEAN CHRISTMAS BREAD

Steps:

• Make sponge:
• In 2-cup glass measuring cup, stir together 1/2 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F) and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over and stir, then let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature until sponge rises to top of measuring cup, 20 to 30 minutes. Uncover and stir mixture down.
• Prepare dough and bake bread:
• In bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add salt and zest and beat until combined. Add 3 eggs, 1 at time, beating well after each addition. Add sponge and beat until combined. Add 2 cups flour and mix at low speed until combined. Add remaining 1 cup flour, remaining 1 egg, brandy, and vanilla and mix at low speed until smooth.
• Increase speed to medium and beat dough until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Add cherries, dark and golden raisins, and candied fruit, and mix at low speed until incorporated.
• Lightly butter clean, large bowl. Turn dough out onto work surface and form into ball. Transfer dough to bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover bowl snugly with plastic wrap and let rise in warm, draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Line 8-inch diameter (at top) flowerpot with foil and lightly grease foil. (Alternatively, lightly grease 9-inch diameter springform pan with 3-inch-high sides.) Turn dough out onto work surface and knead 1 minute, then transfer to pot or pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm, draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Arrange rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 375°F. Remove plastic wrap from dough in pan and transfer pan to oven. Bake 20 minutes, then lay sheet of foil loosely on top of loaf. Continue baking until bread is nicely puffed and golden-brown, about 25 to 30 minutes more. Cool in pan on rack 10 minutes, then unmold and cool completely before slicing and eating.

CHRISTMAS IN THE ISLANDS BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
• Beat together eggs, oil, rum, and milk in a bowl. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl. Mix the flour into the eggs until just moistened. Gently fold in the pineapple, cherries, and coconut. Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack.