Welsh Christmas Kuchen
I’d have to say that in our home, Momma’s Welsh Christmas Bread has always been the favorite food tradition at Christmas. I can remember her staying up late on Christmas Eve to make sure that the bread was ready and fresh for our Christmas morning breakfast. She served it sliced with lots of butter, sharp cheddar cheese, and orange juice. Any leftovers became great toast the next day…
Don’t be afraid to give it a try, even if you aren’t confident in baking with yeast. You can do this!
Bread:
1 pkg. (2 ¼ tsp.) dry yeast
½ cup warm water
2 Tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
½ cup soft butter
2 ½ cups flour
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ cup raisins
2 Tbsp. candied fruit mix
Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
½ tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. soft butter
2 Tbsp. or more of milk/cream
1. Dissolve yeast in warm water. It should be just warmer than body temperature to activate the yeast. Add sugar and let sit 2 minutes. Stir in beaten egg and salt.
2. Mix in soft butter and half of the flour. Add remaining flour, cinnamon, raisins, and fruit mix. Mix well until it becomes a ball of dough. This is where you might have to add a bit more flour until it gets pliable, but not too sticky.
3. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead well for several minutes. Even if you are using a mixer like a Kitchen Aid, enjoy this step as using your hands is very satisfying!
4. Place ball of dough into a large greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a dishtowel. (I use the butter wrapper and what is left on it to grease my bowl easily.) Leave dough in a warm spot and let rise until doubled (about an hour, depending on weather).
5. Turn dough out onto counter and knead it down again. Shape dough into a round mound or loaf-like shape and place in a greased baking pan. Recover and let rise until doubled again.
6. Uncover and bake at 400* for 15 minutes, and then reduce heat to 375* for 20-30 minute more. It will become golden brown and will sound hollow when tapped if done.
7. Cool on a rack before decorating.
8. Icing: Mix salt, butter, and vanilla into powdered sugar. Carefully add milk or cream one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency of icing. Slather on top of cooled bread, and decorate with candied fruit.
Have fun making this special Christmas treat, and wander over to “Mary’s ‘Second Mom'” for some inspiration at this blessed time.
