This delicious cherry-filled candy cane braided bread is drizzled with sweet vanilla icing! This sweet bread is the perfect treat for the holidays. The best part? It's a 90-minute recipe!
This is just one of many recipes that I make using this same sweet dough recipe. If you like this one, you might also like these homemade bread recipes: quick-rise pumpkin cinnamon rolls, lemon sweet rolls, or quick-rise cinnamon rolls.
Watch our step by step video!
I have a slight problem with baking an insane amount of goodies during December. And yes, I've already started! Here is a sneak peek into my busy kitchen!
Years ago a friend gave us a beautifully braided tree pastry as a Christmas gift. It was made out of sweet dough, filled with cinnamon and sugar, braided to look like a tree, then drizzled in vanilla glaze. She added maraschino cherries after baking to look like ornaments. It was so fun and delicious too.
Inspired by her creativity, I made a cherry-filled candy cane braided bread for our family to enjoy!
How To Make a Braided Candy Cane Loaf
Cherry Candy Cane Braided Bread Recipe
(scroll down for printable version)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove it from the heat. Mix in butter; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 ¼ cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. Add water, egg and the milk mixture; beat well. Add the remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. (Note: You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook, or use a danish dough hook (my favorite kitchen tool) to make your dough. Either way works, it’s a pretty simple dough to make.)
- When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, 2-3 minutes.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes.
Cherry Christmas Loaf
Ingredients
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp. instant yeast
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup water
- 1 large egg
- 1 can cherry pie filling
Vanilla Glaze
- 2 cup powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup butter or margarine melted
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 2-4 Tbsp. hot water
Instructions
- Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in butter; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 ¼ cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. Add water, egg and the milk/yeast mixture; beat well. Add the remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.
- When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, 2-3 minutes.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll out dough into a 15×10 inch rectangle.
- Transfer dough to a greased baking sheet (or parchment paper lined baking sheet) and spoon pie filling down the center, about 3″ wide.
- Cut strips down each side of the dough, just to the filling. ¾″-1″ wide.
- Begin folding sides over each other, alternating left to right. Press down to seal ends.
- (You can leave it as is, or shape into a candy cane.)
- Stretch loaf out to about 20″ long and fold down to form candy cane shape.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then drizzle with vanilla glaze.
- Vanilla Glaze: Mix powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla. Stir in water, 1 T. at a time until smooth.
- Drizzle over warm loaf of bread.
Notes
Nutrition
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Caity says
i didn't turn it into a candy cane because its currently june; i was craving cherry breading and found this recipe. not only is it extremely easy to make (i am honestly the worst baker in the world, i cook with my heart and dont measure often and baking can smell fear) but its extremely forgiving and very versatile. i loved it, it tasted amazing. thank you
Brandy says
Caity, so glad to hear that you had success with this sweet bread! 🙂
Cookie says
This was the first time I have tried to make a braided bread like this. Directions were easy to follow and it was delicious!
Brandy says
Awesome! So glad to hear! 🙂
Michele says
Will be making this again this year! It’s a go to for Christmas, Easter in shape of a wreath dotting the top with berries. Also, make it during the year with different homemade fillings. This year I may add a sweetened cream cheese bottom layer.
My family L❤️VES IT!! THANK YOU FOR MAKING ONE ASPECT OF THE SEASON OR 1 OF MY BAD TBI HEAD DAYS EASIER!!
Now to see what of your new cookie recipes to add this year..Gideon's dup...Definitely!
Brandy says
Michele, I love hearing this! Merry Christmas!
Laura says
Can this dough be started in a bread machine?
Brandy says
Sure!
Teresa says
Could you put cream cheese in this with the pie filling?
Brandy says
I don’t see why not! I bet it’d be yummy!
Jalane says
I remember making these braided candy canes for Christmas every year in Home Ec in High school w/ our Teacher Mrs. Linda Bennett. She was awesome. We always ate most of it before we made it home lol.
Judy says
Brandy, Thanks so much for this recipe. I can't wait to try it. I am planning to pick cherries sometime next week and I will make some into pie filling to use in your recipe which sounds wonderful. I love cherries and they are healthy for you too. I love to bake so this should be fun.
Judy
Marilyn says
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