Go Back
–+ servings
Christmas sculpture bread
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Holiday Sculpture Bread

A family tradition! The holiday shapes may vary year to year but the tradition holds strong - Christmas trees, wreathes, snowmen, angels, and even a Christmas owl! Our Christmas mornings always include a slice of warm sculpture bread spread with salted butter and jam.
Servings: 2 large loaves
Author: Christina Shoup

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 3 ½ - 4 cups flour plus extra for sprinkling
  • 1 ¼ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 ½ tbsp dry yeast follow yeast package instructions
  • ½ cup warm water
  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter to grease the bowl

Additional Ingredients for Dough (Second Kneading):

  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • 7 oz unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter to grease the bowl again
  • 3 ½ cups unbleached flour (plus extra for sprinkling)
  • 8 egg yolks lightly beaten (with 2 tablespoons cold water)
  • 1 ½ tbsp grated orange zest

Wash

  • ¼ cup hot milk
  • 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions

Make the Dough:

  • Prepare the yeast as per instructions on the package.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 ½ cups of flour, salt, sugar, and yeast mixture.
  • Gradually mix in the lightly beaten eggs.
  • Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  • Grease a bowl with 1 tbsp of butter and place the dough inside. Cover with a towel and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours.

Second Kneading:

  • In a large bowl, knead the risen dough with sugar and softened butter.
  • Gradually add 3 1/2 cups of flour and the egg yolk mixture, alternating between the two, until well combined.
  • Mix in the orange zest.
  • Knead for 5 minutes, cover the dough again, and let it rise for 1 ½ hours more.

Shape the Loaves:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease 1 large or 2 small baking sheets with butter.
  • Divide the remaining dough into two equal parts and shape them into desired sculptures, about 1-inch thick. You can use kitchen scissors, making deep depressions, to help form your shape as well as decorate with dough you cut off and reattached.
  • Place the sculpture bread on the prepared baking sheets and cover.

Final Rise and Bake:

  • Let the decorated loaves rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  • Make the wash by mixing hot milk, butter, 1 egg yolk, 2 tbsp melted butter and 2 tbsp sugar in a small bowl. Brush this over the loaves.
  • Bake the loaves for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool, then slice and serve.