Published: March 14, 2023 • Last Updated: March 21, 2023
Author: Laura
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a festive loaf of bread? Enter Sourdough Christmas Tree Bread, a delicious and visually stunning addition to any holiday table. Made with sourdough starter, this bread boasts a perfect holiday treat.
Shaped like a Christmas tree and adorned with herbs and seeds, this bread is sure to impress your guests and add some extra cheer to your holiday spread. Grab your apron and get ready to bake up some holiday magic! If you love this bread, give my Sourdough Star Bread a try!
Why You’ll Love Christmas Tree Bread
- The unique shape of the bread, resembling a Christmas tree, is sure to catch everyone’s eye. It makes for a beautiful centerpiece on any holiday table and is guaranteed to impress your guests.
- Sourdough Christmas Tree Bread has a delicious flavor and perfect texture that perfectly complements the warm spices of the season. The herbs and seeds used to decorate the bread also add an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Baking this festive bread is a great activity to do with family or friends during the holiday season.
- Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home during the holidays!
Ingredients Needed for Sourdough Christmas Bread
- Water is used to hydrate the dough and activate the yeast.
- A sourdough starter is a mixture of flour and water that has been fermented by wild yeast and bacteria.
- Salt adds flavor to the bread, regulates fermentation, and strengthens gluten formation.
- Honey is a natural sweetener that also helps feed the yeast in the dough, aiding in fermentation.
- Avocado oil is used to add moisture and richness to the bread.
- Eggs provide structure, richness, and color to the bread.
- All-purpose flour is used as the base for the bread dough and provides the structure through its gluten content.
- An egg wash is brushed onto the surface of the bread before baking to give it a shiny finish and help the toppings adhere.
- Powdered sugar is sprinkled on top of the finished loaf for a festive touch that resembles snowflakes on a tree.
How to Store Christmas Tree Sourdough Bread
To store Sourdough Christmas Tree Bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days.
If you want to keep it longer, freeze the bread by wrapping it first in plastic wrap and then in foil and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.
When ready to eat, let the bread thaw at room temperature for several hours before serving.
Is sourdough the best bread for you?
Sourdough bread has some health benefits compared to other types of bread. The fermentation process used to make sourdough bread breaks down the gluten and starches, making it easier to digest for some people.
Sourdough bread has a lower glycemic index than regular bread, meaning it doesn’t cause as much of a spike in blood sugar levels. However, like all types of bread, sourdough should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
It’s important to choose whole-grain sourdough bread when possible, as it contains more fiber and nutrients than white sourdough bread.
Sweet Filling Options
Here are some sweet filling options for Sourdough Christmas Tree Bread:
- Cinnamon sugar and butter
- Nutella and sliced bananas or strawberries
- Cream cheese and jam (such as raspberry or strawberry)
- Apple slices with honey and cinnamon
- Lemon curd and whipped cream
- Chocolate chips and marshmallows
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Sliced peaches with whipped cream and a drizzle of honey
- Blueberry compote with ricotta cheese
- Pumpkin pie filling with whipped cream
You can also get creative with your sweet fillings by using seasonal ingredients like gingerbread spice, eggnog, or peppermint candy pieces.
Is sourdough bread chewy?
Sourdough bread can have a chewy texture, but it ultimately depends on how it’s made. The sourdough fermentation process can create a more elastic and chewy crumb compared to other types of bread. However, factors such as the hydration level of the dough, the type of flour used, and the baking method can also affect the texture. A longer fermentation time can also contribute to a chewier texture in sourdough bread.
Why is everyone making sourdough bread now?
There are a few reasons why sourdough bread has become so popular recently:
- It’s a comforting activity: Making sourdough bread can be a soothing and meditative process, which is particularly appealing during times of stress or uncertainty.
- It doesn’t require yeast: With yeast in short supply due to pandemic-related disruptions, many people turned to sourdough because it uses naturally occurring wild yeast instead.
- Health benefits: Sourdough bread is often touted as a healthier alternative to commercial bread because the fermentation process can make it easier to digest and improve gut health.
- Taste and texture: Many people simply prefer the taste and texture of sourdough bread compared to other types of bread.
Overall, the recent surge in popularity for sourdough bread can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its comforting nature, health benefits, and unique flavor profile.
More Sourdough Bread Options
Do you want to learn even more about sourdough? Grab my The Sourdough Essentials Digital Cookbook!
Sourdough Christmas Tree Bread
With just a few ingredients, this Sourdough Christmas Tree Bread is a true winner for the holiday season!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup active starter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup avocado or coconut oil
- 2 eggs
- 3 1/2-4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 egg for an egg wash
- powdered sugar for dusting
Filling ideas:
- Jam, cream cheese, cinnamon, sugar, raisins, honey, chopped nuts, pesto, cheeses, etc.
Instructions
- Combine water, starter, salt, honey, oil and eggs and mix until well combined. Add the flour to the mixture, a cup at a time, allowing the mixture to incorporate the flour each time.
- Continue adding flour (start watching around 3 1/2 cups for it to be done) until the dough cleans the sides of the mixing bowl. Knead for 10 minutes. The dough should not be sticky, but should be elastic and have stretch to it.
- Take the dough out of the bowl and form it into a ball. Place it in a bowl big enough for the dough to double in size. Cover the bowl and let rise somewhere warm, until it is nearly double. If doing a long ferment, refrigerate for 1-3 days and bring to room temperature before continuing.
- Turn the dough onto the counter. Separate it into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a triangular shape.
- Using a knife or bench scraper, cut the dough into a triangle (a ruler isn’t necessary 😀 I just needed it to come out
- Spread fillings all over the bottom triangle. Use more than you think! Some will absorb in the dough so be generous with the filling. Place the second triangle over the top.
- Cut strips all the way up the triangle, leaving a space between the two sides.
- Take each “branch” and twist it several times. Cover the dough tree and let it rise somewhere warm for 2-3 hours, until soft and risen.
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Beat one egg and brush it lightly over the tree. Bake for 20-30 minutes, doing another egg wash halfway through the baking time. Bake until golden. Let cool and dust with powdered sugar or icing.
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Hi! I'm Laura!I’m on a mission to normalize nutrient dense food. By nutrient dense I mean foods that pack a punch because the amount or type of nutrient they offer is so incredible. So much of your health is in your own hands. That should feel empowering!!I wholeheartedly believe that when your gut health is in order, the rest of your life will take a healthy turn, too! I promise that whenever you decide to try one of my recipes, you can trust that you are providing your family a healthy, nourishing, and incredibly tasty experience!
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Just made this for our family Christmas today and it came out beautiful and smells amazing. Cannot wait to dig in and give it a try!