Pull Apart Christmas Bread Wreath

This cinnamon pull apart Christmas bread wreath recipe is a great addition to any Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day brunch buffet. An easy twisted bread pastry that is delicious for breakfast or dessert that is pretty and everyone loves.

Cinnamon Bread Wreath

First you’re going to need to make a basic sweet bread dough. This will be your main base and you will add layers of YUM from there. Once you get the hang of how this is done you can think outside of the box to try other seasonings and herbs. A savory version is for sure possible if you went along the lines of oregano, thyme and rosemary.

Can any bread be braided?

Basically. If you are making homemade bread with yeast dough at home then the shape is really up to you. I mean it doesn’t take much longer to transform it from a loaf that is much thicker (which won’t taste as sweet) to THIS!

Why is bread braided?

The most common style you may have seen is Challah. That is traditionally served in Jewish homes and synagogues. The idea comes from the Torah where it says for Moses to set aside portions of each loaf as an offering to the priests. That style uses 3 pieces where this is more of a twist with just 2 strands “braided”.

Pull Apart Bread Wreath

Now if you are making this for a get together like Thanksgiving or Xmas you could add some color to it too. Things like 1/4 cup dried cranberries could be an alternative to the pecans. A drizzle of green colored glaze could be added to the top too! This is what you’ll need for the dough:

Ingredients

• All purpose flour
• Active dry yeast
  • or here’s how to make sourdough starter from scratch
• Maple syrup
• Milk
• Butter
• Egg and salt

Wreath Bread Filling

• Pecans
• Butter
• Maple syrup
• Cinnamon
• Brown sugar

Then you make the filling for the inside to add sweetness and color too. The same goes for our cinnamon roll muffins too. This kinda’ reminds me of a homemade cinnamon rolls recipe at this point. You just smear the room temp. butter on and mix up the other things. Sprinkle those on and it will stick well that way. When it is done you will roll this baby up and slice it in half in anticipation of twisting it.

How to Make a Braided Bread Wreath

1. In a large bowl or stand mixer combine the warm milk, maple syrup, and yeast. Whisk to dissolve the yeast completely. Leave for 5 – 20 minutes until it is nice and foamy.
2. Add in the egg and salt. Add one cup of flour and melted butter. Slowly add the remaining flour. Knead the dough with the hook or by hand for 5-8 minutes until smooth
3. Place the dough into a greased bowl. Cover it tightly with some plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm location until it has almost doubled in size. This will take about 1-2 hours.
4. While the dough is rising, make the filling. Whisk together the butter, maple syrup, light brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
5. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead it for a short while. Roll it out into a large rectangle shape. Spread the room temperature butter mixture on top.
6. Leave the dough bare around the edges so it doesn’t seep out.
7. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the dough if you choose to add these. You could use dried cranberries, raisins or walnuts instead.
8. Roll up the dough tightly into a log shape. Using a sharp knife cut it length wise leaving the last inch of the dough in tact so it is still sealed at one end.
9. Carefully transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover the wreath loosely with plastic wrap . Let this sit until soft and nearly doubled in size for about 30 – 45 minutes.

This is a quick step by step but there is a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post as well:

How to Braid Bread

1. You need to keep one end still attached like you see here at the end when you slice lengthwise into 2 equal pieces, so it doesn’t come all undone.
2. Then just put one over the other and keep going until you reach the very end. Getting it as tight as possible with the most cross overs is best.
   • Twist the two strands around themselves as if you were braiding your hair.
   • Wrap two ends together to form a wreath shape.
   • Pinch ends to ensure they are sealed well.
3. Move it to a baking sheet with parchment paper on top and shape into a wreath.
4. You’re going to want to let this baby rest for about 30 minutes before you bake it. Homemade braided bread does take more time but it’s worth it.
5. I mean you could leave it long like you see here too but it’s not as pretty and probably won’t fit on your cookie sheet either.

How Long to Bake Braided Bread with Filling

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bake the bread wreath for 30-35 minutes until nice and golden brown. If the top starts to color too much before the loaf is done, loosely cover it with a sheet of tinfoil.
• When the bread is done, remove it from the oven and on to a wire rack to cool. Brush it with pure maple syrup to give it a good shine, then leave to cool.
• For a glaze whisk the above ingredients together until smooth. Drizzle 1/2 cup or so over entire thing or on top of each piece when served.

You will need a knife to slice this into about 12 pieces. Serve at a Merry Christmas brunch, for Mother’s Day or otherwise. I guarantee it to get all the oooohs and ahhhhhs from your guests.

Other pretty brunch recipes you’ll love

1. This chocolate Rhodes monkey bread is faster because it’s made with frozen cinnamon rolls.
2. You can make air fryer banana bread for everyone, or 4 ingredient banana bread using cake mix.
3. Pumpkin zucchini muffins are always a hit year round, especially in the Fall though.

If you want to know how to half a recipe to make less, read this post. Tip: Spray your pan with non stick spray to clean a pot.

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