WW Italian Christmas Sweet Bread

by

WW Italian Christmas Sweet Bread is healthy and tasty. We prepare this sweet bread in just two hours and 35 minutes. It is made with low-fat milk, active dry yeast, eggs, sugar, butter, orange zest, vanilla extract, all-purpose wheat flour, salt, and reduced-sugar candied fruits. It contains 5 grams of protein and 185 calories per serving. We serve this bread with hot chocolate, warm spiced milk, cream cheese spread, vanilla yogurt, or vegetable omelette. You may store this sweet bread for five days in the refrigerator.

STATS:

  • Total time: 2 hours 35 minutes
  • Calories: 185 kcal
  • Rising time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Serving size: 1 slice
  • Cooking time: 35 minutes
  • Diet: Weight Watchers
  • Serving: 20 slices
  • Course: Dessert
  • Preparation time: 30 minutes
  • Cuisine: Italian

EQUIPMENT:

  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Kitchen scale
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon
  • Baking paper
  • Dough scraper
  • Rolling pin
  • Pastry brush
  • Baking tray
  • Clean kitchen towel
  • Cooling rack

INGREDIENTS:

  • 300 ml warm low-fat milk
  • One tbsp active dry yeast
  • 2 large eggs
  • One tbsp orange zest
  • 90 g granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 60 g melted light butter
  • One tsp salt
  • 780 g all-purpose wheat flour
  • One tsp softened light butter
  • 150 g chopped reduced-sugar candied fruits

INGREDIENT NOTES:

LOW FAT MILK:

  • Used to create the bread dough. This will also create moisture in the dough. Add warm to activate the yeast. This will give a soft texture. You can use any unsweetened vegan milk of your choice.

ACTIVE DRY YEAST:

  • This will help to create the perfect rise in the dough. The air pockets will create a soft and fluffy bread. This will create a traditional bakery texture in the sweet bread. Instant yeast can be added instead.

VANILLA EXTRACT:

  • Used to give a warm and sweet scent to the sweet bread. This helps to balance out the citrus flavour and create a more delicious bread. Vanilla bean paste can be used instead if needed.

REDUCED SUGAR CANDIED FRUITS:

  • Give a sweet flavour and colour. This will make the slices look nice. If you aren’t using candied fruits, then you could add some chopped dried cranberries.

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. First, mix warm low-fat milk and dry yeast in the bowl for ten minutes.
  2. Whisk the eggs, sugar, melted butter, orange zest, and vanilla extract in the bowl.
  3. Add the yeast mixture in the egg ingredients, then slowly mix salt and flour in it.
  4. Put the dough on the floured surface and knead it for ten minutes.
  5. Cover the dough in the greased bowl and let it rise for one hour in a warm place.
  6. Punch down the dough and roll it into a rectangle, then spread 1 tsp softened butter on it.
  7. Sprinkle chopped candied fruits on the surface and roll the dough tightly into a log.
  8. Cut the log lengthwise down the middle with 2 cm connected at last.
  9. Turn the cut sides up and cross one half over the other to make the twist.
  10. Join the ends for a circular wreath and transfer the dough into a lined tray.
  11. Rise the dough for thirty minutes, then warm the oven to 180°C and bake for 35 minutes.
  12. Lastly, cool the sweet bread on the wire rack and slice it to serve.

TIPS:

  • Use warm milk instead of hot milk to activate the yeast properly.
  • You should avoid adding extra salt so the bread does not become dry.
  • Chop the candied fruits into small pieces to spread them evenly in the bread.
  • Knead the dough properly to get a soft and fluffy texture.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

  • Wrap the bread slices and store them in a closed container for five days.

FREEZER:

  • Put baking paper inside the slices and freeze the sweet cake for two months.

FAQs:

Can I prepare this bread earlier?

  • Yes, you may bake this bread one day in advance and cool completely, then store.

Does fresh yeast work well instead of dry yeast?

  • Yes, you may use 30 grams of fresh yeast instead of dry yeast, as per your choice.

Should I exclude candied fruits from this recipe?

  • Yes, you may replace them with raisins, dried apricots, or cherries.

What makes the sweet cake dense?

  • Including inactive yeast or not properly risen dough gives dense results.

Could I prepare this sweet bread without butter?

  • Yes, you may replace the butter with a small amount of olive oil instead.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 185 kcal

Net carbs: 32 g

Iron: 1.5 mg

Total carbs: 34 g

Vitamin A: 110 IU

Fiber: 1.5 g

Calcium: 35 mg

Protein: 5 g

Sodium: 125 mg

Potassium: 75 mg

Weight Watchers Points: 7 Points