40 Christmas Quick Breads Perfect for Gifting
Updated: Dec. 02, 2022Break out the mini loaf pans! These Christmas breads are perfect for sharing with neighbors and loved ones. The best part: These yeast-free quick bread recipes are so easy to make.
1
/
40
Eggnog Mini Loaves
The seasonal flavors of eggnog, rum extract and nutmeg shine through in these moist, golden Christmas breads. Tender slices are just right with a cup of coffee. Be sure to use your favorite eggnog in the recipe. —Beverly Elmore, Spokane, Michigan
2
/
40
Candy Cane Chocolate Mini Loaves
Having a bunch of leftover candy canes after the holidays inspired me to use them up by adding them to a chocolate bread. Now I make plenty of these Christmas breads in advance to share. —Shelly Platten, Amherst, WisconsinIf you’ve ever wondered what is quick bread, take a look at our handy quick bread guide.
3
/
40
Pineapple Cherry Loaves
Pineapple adds a fun twist to this holiday quick bread, plus it wakes each delicious bite nice and moist. My family prefers this to traditional fruitcake. —Dolores Peltier, Warren, Michigan
4
/
40
Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread
This cranberry bread is tender and moist. The first time I made it, it immediately became a favorite for the fall and winter holidays. The tart cranberries complement the sweet chocolate so well.—Jessica Hornaday, Nampa, Idaho(Find more easy quick bread recipes like this one!)
5
/
40
Pumpkin Bread with Gingerbread Topping
This yummy pumpkin bread won first prize in the Acorn Pantry Bread Contest. It melts in your mouth, and the recipe easily doubles for gift-giving. —Renee' Nanez, Frederic, Wisconsin
6
/
40
Poppy Seed Bread with Orange Glaze
My neighbor gave me this recipe, and I love that it makes two loaves. We usually eat one and then give the other away or freeze it for later. The glaze complements the bread perfectly. —Heather Frese, Albany, Missouri
7
/
40
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
I love making this bread in the fall. The aroma is mouthwatering, and the chocolate chips add so much to an all-time favorite. —Vicki Raboine, Kansasville, Wisconsin
8
/
40
Pistachio Quick Bread
I love making many of these special loaves to give away for the holidays. They also freeze well so it is easy to pull out for unexpected guests. —Judy Fischer, Green Bay, Wisconsin
9
/
40
Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread
Coming from Oregon, a state famous for its cranberries, this bread is a given at our house. Each fall my husband and I scrounge around for walnuts to go in it. It’s a regular on our table, and not just at Thanksgiving. I freeze the berries so I have a ready supply all year long. —Elaine Kremenak, Grants Pass, Oregon
10
/
40
Chocolate Chai Mini Loaves
This bread is irresistible! A friend gets mad when I make it because I give her a loaf and she can't help but eat the whole thing! —Lisa Christensen, Poplar Grove, Illinois
11
/
40
Sugar Plum Bread
I grew up with my Grandma Mitchell’s irresistible plum bread. We slathered it with butter and ate it with cottage cheese and fresh fruit for a simple breakfast. It’s one of those Christmas breads that always makes an appearance on myt holiday table. —Emily Tyra, Lake Ann, Michigan
12
/
40
Double Cranberry Banana Bread
We love quick breads, and I’ve found that they freeze nicely if properly wrapped. This is a scrumptious recipe to make before the holidays and freeze for last-minute guests or gifts. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
13
/
40
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bread
My family loves quick breads. This one is moist and spicy. If you don't have mini loaf pans it works just as well in regular size pans. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
14
/
40
Chocolate Quick Bread
My husband and I both enjoy cooking, but the baking is left to me. Our sons loved this chocolaty quick bread when they were little—and still do as grownups! —Melissa Mitchell-Wilson, Wichita, Kansas
15
/
40
Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
Skip the line and bake Starbucks pumpkin bread in your own kitchen. This copycat recipe may be even better than the original! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
16
/
40
Glazed Cranberry Sweet Potato Bread
This recipe stars one of our state’s crops. Topped with an easy orange glaze, slices of the moist bread make a sweet snack to enjoy anytime. —Sweet Potato Festival Committee, Vardaman, Mississippi
17
/
40
Orange Banana Nut Bread
I like this recipe because the orange juice gives the nut bread such a bright flavor and also makes it moist. —Barbara Roethlisberger, Shepherd, Michigan
18
/
40
Moroccan Spiced Fruit & Nut Bread
Red pepper flakes combined with the cinnamon and allspice give each slice of this bread a subtle hint of warmth. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
19
/
40
Almond Tea Bread
My aunt brought her tea bread recipe with her from Scotland, and enjoying a fresh-baked loaf has become a family tradition during the holidays. Each slice is loaded with red cherries. —Kathleen Showers, Briggsdale, Colorado
20
/
40
Pumpkin Pecan Loaves
Among all my pumpkin bread recipes, this caramel-glazed creation is the pick of the crop. Often, I'll wrap up a lovely loaf as a homemade gift for teachers and Sunday school leaders. —Brenda Jackson, Garden City, Kansas
21
/
40
Bishop’s Bread
This bread is packed with cherries, chocolate and nuts. I give away many of these Christmas breads as gifts. —Yvonne Wheeler, Minneapolis, Minnesota
22
/
40
Honey Spice Bread
The texture of this bread is almost like a cake, so I usually serve slices of it for dessert. The loaf looks so festive with the pretty glaze drizzled on top. —Gaye O’Dell, Binghamton, New York
23
/
40
Macadamia Nut Mini Loaves
While these loaves may be small, they have a big rich flavor. The macadamia nuts make them a special treat with tropical flair. Plus, they're so pretty with the toasted coconut topping. —Kim Gilliland, Simi Valley, California
24
/
40
Pumpkin Swirl Bread
This combination of pumpkin, nuts and dates makes a delicious, golden pumpkin cream cheese bread. The surprise inside—a rich creamy swirl—is like a luscious layer of cheesecake in each slice. —Cindy May, Troy, Michigan
25
/
40
Eggnog Bread
Someone always asks for the recipe when I make this rich bread for the holidays or give as gifts. It’s easy to make and quite delicious. Christmas breads of all kinds are a traditional part of the season at my home here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. —Ruth Bickel, Hickory, North Carolina
26
/
40
Orange-Chip Cranberry Bread
Tart berries, crunchy nuts and sweet chocolate are simply scrumptious when mixed together in this easy quick bread. Sometimes I’ll top it off with an orange-flavored glaze. It’s one of the Christmas breads I make every year. —Donna Smith, Fairport, New York
27
/
40
Fresh Pear Bread
When our tree branches are loaded with ripe and juicy fruit, I treat my family and friends to lots of easy pear recipes. I always receive raves and requests for this particular pear bread recipe because of the mix of fun ingredients.—Linda Patrick, Houston, Texas
28
/
40
Contest-Winning Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
A touch of cinnamon helps blend the flavors in this tender pumpkin chocolate chip bread. And since the recipe makes two loaves, you can send one to a bake sale and keep one at home for your family to enjoy. —Lora Stanley, Bennington, Kansas
29
/
40
Eggnog Fruit Bread
Presents from the pantry are a tradition in my family, and this moist, fruity quick bread is a favorite. I wrap Christmas breads in cellophane and garnish with stickers and curly ribbons. —Margo Stich, Rochester, Minnesota
30
/
40
Sweet Potato Mini Loaves
Here's a wonderful present for drop-in visitors, the kids' teachers or neighbors. One batch makes six adorable mini loaves-and you might add some butter or cream cheese for an extra-special present.
31
/
40
Bacon Walnut Bread with Honey Butter
During the holidays, it’s common to share sweets. I think savory Christmas breads should also be on the list of sharables. My savory walnut bread filled with bacon bits and blue cheese dressing is complemented by the sweetness of honey-flavored butter. —Pam Ivbuls, Omaha, Nebraska
32
/
40
Rustic Pumpkin Bread
I received this pumpkin bread recipe from a co-worker who made it for an office party. It is so yummy and moist that I now make it every year at the holidays for friends and family. —Sandy Sandaval, Sandy Valley, Nevada
33
/
40
Poppy Seed Bread with Orange Glaze
My neighbor gave me this recipe, and I love that it makes two loaves. We usually eat one and then give the other away or freeze it for later. The glaze complements the bread perfectly. —Heather Frese, Albany, Missouri
34
/
40
Sweet Potato Spice Bread
Moist and tender, this delightful quick bread has a bold molasses-spice flavor. It's a good thing this recipe makes two mini loaves because they'll go fast! You can eat one loaf now and freeze the other for later. —Ronnie Littles, Virginia Beach, Virginia
35
/
40
Cinnamon Raisin Quick Bread
Cinnamon and raisins bring heartwarming flavor to this mildly sweet bread. It's ideal for an on-the-go breakfast or a quick snack before dinner. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
36
/
40
Drizzled Butternut Bread
My two young children love this buttercup yellow bread. Squash makes it moist and goes so well with the cinnamon. This will be a welcome addition to a brunch or dinner table.—Misty Thompson, Gaylesville, Alabama
37
/
40
Almond & Cranberry Coconut Bread
Here’s an all-around great bread for any season. The red bursts of cranberry lend every slice extra appeal for Christmastime. —Rosemary Johnson, Irondale, Alabama
38
/
40
New England Pumpkin-Walnut Bread
Pumpkin bread is for chilly mornings when you long for some homestyle New England food. Serve slices with a warm and soothing beverage. —Kimberly Forni, Laconia, New Hampshire
39
/
40
Apricot & Macadamia Eggnog Bread
Holidays and nut breads are made for each other. My spiced quick bread has three of the ingredients I can’t resist – eggnog, apricots and macadamia nuts. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, NV
40
/
40
Hazelnut Date Pumpkin Bread
In the fall when the leaves are changing, baking fever takes over. This tender pumpkin bread will make your home smell delicious. The crunchy hazelnuts and sweet dates make it feel extra special. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, OntarioCheck out this winter gift guide for more holiday inspiration.
Originally Published: November 20, 2019
