Festive Holiday Breads From Around The World

The holiday season is more than just a time of lights, gifts and gatherings. It’s also a season of cherished family and cultural traditions, many of which revolve around good food!

Across the globe, one of the most popular and beloved of holiday traditions is baking festive breads. Each culture has its own unique recipes, flavors and stories surrounding these festive loaves that keep bringing people together each and every year!

Here are just a few festive breads that grace dinner tables around the holiday season — give one a try and see how you like it!

10 festive holiday breads from global cuisines

Bibingka

Bibingka is a Filipino rice cake that’s especially popular during the Christmas season. Made with rice flour and cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves, bibingka has a unique smoky aroma and a delightful texture that's served hot alongside coffee, tea or hot chocolate. It’s often topped with salted eggs and cheese which add a rich, caramel-like flavor to the already melt-in-the-mouth gentle sweetness. 

Bibingka is traditionally enjoyed after attending early-morning Christmas masses, making it a warm and comforting start to the day’s festivities at home. The combination of coconut milk, banana leaves and just a touch of savory flavor creates a bright, light and flavorful bread that reflects the Filipino holiday spirit.

Challah

This beautifully braided bread graces Jewish tables on the Sabbath and various holidays, especially during Hanukkah and Rosh Hashanah. It’s a stunning centerpiece (which can be especially tricky to make!) that symbolizes prosperity and joy, and you’ll find no two recipes alike.

For extra special holidays, challah is sometimes shaped into a round loaf that represents the cycle of the year and symbolizes continuity. With its golden crust and soft, sweet flaky interior, challah brings a warmth to the table that’s both welcoming and festive however you celebrate the holidays.

Christopsomo

In Greece, Christopsomo, or “Christ’s Bread,” is a bread steeped in symbolism and tradition that’s usually prepared for Christmas. Flavored with spices like cinnamon, cloves and anise and often studded with nuts, Christopsomo is often decorated with elaborate designs like crosses and other symbolic patterns that represent blessings for the household.

Julekake

Julekake, meaning “Christmas cake” in Norwegian, is a sweet bread that brings a cozy, festive touch to holiday gatherings. 

Filled with raisins, candied citrus peels and spiced with cardamom, Julekake has a tender, buttery texture that’s especially comforting during Norway’s long winter nights. It’s typically sliced and served with butter and cheese, making it an irresistible addition to holiday breakfasts or afternoon gatherings. 

Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Bread)

Three Kings Bread is the star of Epiphany celebrations in Mexico — a Christian tradition that symbolizes the arrival of the Three Wise Men. Shaped like a crown and decorated with candied fruit “jewels,” this festive bread really is as beautiful as it is delicious! 

Traditionally, a small figurine of baby Jesus is hidden inside the bread, and whoever finds it is expected to host a large celebration on Candlemas Day in February. With its soft, fluffy texture and slightly sweet flavor, Rosca de Reyes is a true crowd-pleaser, bringing families together for a fun and meaningful tradition to ring in the new year.

Ontbijtkoek 

Although not exclusive to the holidays, Ontbijtkoek, or Dutch spice bread, is a winter favorite in the Netherlands that’s often enjoyed around the holiday season. 

Made with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves and ginger, this dense, dark loaf has a cozy, spicy flavor that pairs wonderfully with a bit of really good butter. It’s often sliced and served with tea or coffee, making it an especially cozy treat for gatherings on chilly winter evenings. 

Panettone

Panettone is one of Italy’s most iconic holiday breads, and it's hard to imagine an Italian Christmas without this tall, dome-shaped treat adorning a dinner table. 

Originating in Milan, panettone is packed with bits of candied fruits and raisins that represent the abundance and cheer of the holiday season. Making panettone is a true labor of love, as the dough undergoes a long fermentation process that gives it a light, airy texture and a slightly tangy flavor. Its delicate sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture make panettone an absolute delight, whether you enjoy it with coffee for breakfast or as a dessert at a holiday feast. It’s a holiday must-have!

Pompe de Noel

Pompe de Noel is a traditional Christmas bread from Provence in France — a simple yet meaningful bread made with olive oil and lightly flavored with orange blossom water. 

Part of the iconic Provence “Thirteen Desserts” tradition, this bread is served on Christmas Eve and symbolizes prosperity and unity. Rather than being cut, Pompe de Noel is typically broken by hand, an act meant to honor the Last Supper. Its delicate flavors and soft, airy texture make it a lovely, fragrant bread that brings a touch of Southern France to any holiday table.

Stollen

Stollen, or Christstollen, is a classic German Christmas bread that’s dense, rich and packed with holiday flavor. 

This festive loaf is loaded with dried fruits soaked in rum, and many versions also have a marzipan center for a burst of sweetness in every slice. Stollen is typically finished off with a generous dusting of powdered sugar, giving it a frosty appearance that’s as festive as the season itself. 

With warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, a slice of this holiday bread is the perfect companion to a chilly winter’s day. Stollen also has the wonderful ability to stay fresh for weeks, making it an ideal gift to share with friends and loved ones over the holidays.

King’s Cake

In France, the holiday season wouldn't be complete without Galette des Rois, or Kings’ Cake, to celebrate Epiphany! It’s similar in concept to the Rosca de Reyes, though it uses slightly different ingredients.

This round, flaky pastry is filled with almond frangipane, and baked inside is a small charm or figurine called a "fève." The lucky person who finds the fève in their slice is crowned “king” or “queen” for the day, making this bread as much about fun as it is about flavor! 

Each of these holiday breads reflects a culture’s unique way of celebrating the season. As you enjoy your own holiday favorites, try a new festive recipe from around the world and bring a taste of these traditions to your table.

Enjoy!

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Featured photo by blackieshoot on Unsplash