Christmas Lunch Loaf Recipes

CHRISTMAS GIFT LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the sugar mixture alternately with the pumpkin puree, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips and 3/4 cup of the walnuts until evenly distributed. Spoon into the prepared loaf pan, and sprinkle the remaining walnuts over the top.
• Bake for 65 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean. Cool, then remove from the pan, and drizzle with icing.
• To make the icing, stir together the confectioners' sugar and heavy cream with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg until smooth.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH LOAF

Steps:

• Fry the onions in the butter for 15-20 mins until golden and softened. Butter a 900g loaf tin and put in the fridge to chill.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and work everything together to form a large meatball. Remove the loaf tin from the fridge and transfer the mixture to it - it will look like a lot, but should all fit if you pack it in. Use a spatula to shape the top, so that it resembles a loaf of bread.
• Cover with foil, then bake for 1 hr, or until the loaf reaches 70C on a meat thermometer. Heat grill to medium, then grill the loaf for 5-10 mins until golden on top. Leave to rest in the tin for 20 mins, then carefully tip the loaf onto a carving board or platter. Serve in slices with the usual trimmings, gravy and bread sauce.

PARTY SANDWICH LOAF

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix all shrimp salad spread ingredients until well blended. In second medium bowl, mix all olive-nut spread ingredients until well blended. In third medium bowl, mix all deviled ham spread ingredients until well blended.
• Trim crusts from bread loaves. Cut each loaf horizontally into 4 equal slices. Lightly spread butter over 3 slices. Place 1 buttered slice on each of 2 serving plates or trays; spread each evenly with half of the shrimp salad spread. Top with second buttered slices; spread each evenly with half of the olive-nut spread. Top with third buttered slices; spread each evenly with half of the deviled ham spread. Top with unbuttered slices. Lightly press each loaf together.
• In medium bowl, mix 4 packages cream cheese, half-and-half and food color. Spread half of mixture over sides and top of each loaf. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until cream cheese mixture has set. Cover tightly; refrigerate at least 2 1/2 hours but no longer than 24 hours. To serve, remove from refrigerator, cut into slices. Store covered in refrigerator.

CHRISTMAS LOAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°.
• Grease 2 loaf pans.
• Cream butter and sugar.
• Beat in eggs and vanilla.
• Mix flour, baking soda and salt.
• Add to creamed mixture alternately with bananas.
• Stir in coconut, almonds, cherries and dates.
• Pour into pans.
• Bake for 55 minutes, until pick comes out clean.
• Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pans.

MORAVIAN CHRISTMAS LOAF

Steps:

• Add softened yeast to milk.
• Add 3 cups flour, and salt; mix well.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place overnight.
• In the morning, heat the milk; add butter and stir until melted.
• Combine with yeast mixture and add sugar, fruit and remaining flour; knead well until dough is no longer sticky (use more flour, if necessary).
• Cover and let rise until double.
• Shape into loaves, place in greased loaf pans and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
• Let rise until doubled.
• Bake at 375°F for 40 minutes.