Holiday sweet breads are the unsung heroes of the season, perfect for a cozy breakfast or a sweet dessert moment. These versatile loaves bring all the festive flavors without the hassle of fussy desserts or time-consuming pastries. They’re the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell incredible and keeps guests coming back for more.
Granola Pear Bread
Hearty granola and pears come together in this lightly sweet loaf. It’s a simple, no-fuss choice for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Get the Recipe: Granola Pear Bread
Sweet Potato Raisin Bread
Sweet potato and raisins make this bread hearty and flavorful. Toast a slice for breakfast or enjoy it with a little butter for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Raisin Bread
Dark Chocolate Cranberry Walnut Bread
Loaded with cranberries, walnuts, and dark chocolate, this Dutch oven bread is perfect for holiday breakfasts or dessert platters. The hint of cinnamon gives it just the right seasonal touch.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Cranberry Walnut Bread
Cranberry Orange Bread
This sweet loaf combines tangy cranberries and citrusy orange glaze for a bread that’s as perfect for breakfast as it is for holiday desserts.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Bread
Gingerbread Banana Bread
A festive take on banana bread, this loaf has gingerbread flavors and a sweet maple tahini glaze. It’s great for breakfast or dessert when you want something cozy and holiday-ready.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Banana Bread
Glazed Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf
This chocolate gingerbread loaf with a gingerbread tea glaze is a simple but festive treat. Slice it up for breakfast or save it for dessert—it’s a holiday hit either way.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf
Nutella Swirl Bread
This Nutella swirl bread brings breakfast and dessert together in the best way. With a simple dough and easy steps, it’s great for a sweet start to the day or a laid-back holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Nutella Swirl Bread
Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf
This homemade Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf is spiced just right and topped with cream cheese frosting. It’s the kind of loaf that works for breakfast but feels right at home on the dessert table too.
Get the Recipe: Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf
Sweet Christmas Bread
Straight from Provence, this sweet Christmas bread has a hint of orange and the texture of a brioche. Whether it’s breakfast or dessert, it’s a great pick for adding a little French charm to your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Christmas Bread
Decadent Baileys Pound Cake
A rich Baileys pound cake that’s perfect for holiday mornings or an after-dinner treat. It’s as straightforward as it gets and loaded with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Decadent Baileys Pound Cake
Yogurt Almond Flour Coffee Cake
This almond flour coffee cake keeps it simple but doesn’t skimp on flavor. With orange zest and just a hint of brandy, it’s perfect for a holiday brunch or a relaxed dessert moment.
Get the Recipe: Yogurt Almond Flour Coffee Cake
Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread
This bread combines tangy cranberries and rich chocolate chips for a sweet loaf that fits anywhere on your holiday menu. Breakfast? Dessert? You can’t go wrong.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread
Coffee Loaf Cake
A coffee lover’s dream, this loaf is great for gifting or keeping around for holiday breakfasts. Make two full-sized loaves or a batch of minis for a little variety.
Get the Recipe: Coffee Loaf Cake
Raspberry Lemon Loaf
Bursting with raspberries and citrusy lemon, this loaf is a bright addition to any holiday spread. It’s light enough for breakfast and sweet enough for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Loaf
Cranberry Orange Rolls
These quick, no-yeast cranberry orange rolls come together in under an hour. Packed with marmalade, cranberries, and walnuts, they’re perfect for a holiday brunch or a sweet treat later on.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Rolls
Glazed Pecan Eggnog Bread
Eggnog meets quick bread in this festive loaf topped with a rich glaze and nutmeg. The pecans add a little crunch, making it a great option for breakfast or a post-dinner snack.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Pecan Eggnog Bread
Cherry Cheese Babka
This babka combines buttery brioche with juicy cherries and creamy cheese. It’s as impressive as it is versatile, working for both holiday mornings and after-dinner indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cheese Babka
Christmas Coffee Cake
With its crumbly cinnamon oat topping, this coffee cake is an easy win for holiday mornings. It pairs just as well with your morning cup as it does with a holiday dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Coffee Cake
Apple Cider Donut Cake
This apple cider donut cake takes everything you love about fall donuts and turns it into a shareable loaf. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or just because it’s the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Donut Cake
Braided Cinnamon Bread
This braided cinnamon bread is as beautiful as it is versatile. Slice it up for a holiday breakfast or serve it alongside coffee for dessert—it’s a win either way.
Get the Recipe: Braided Cinnamon Bread
Pumpkin Bread
These mini loaves of spiced pumpkin bread are packed with chocolate chips and holiday flavors. They’re great for breakfast, gifting, or dessert when you just want something simple but festive.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bread
Cinnamon Apple Bread
Cinnamon apple bread topped with a streusel and icing that screams fall baking. Works as a sweet breakfast option or a relaxed holiday dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apple Bread
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Sweetened with maple syrup and bananas, this bread skips the refined sugar but keeps all the homemade charm. Make it as a loaf or muffins—perfect for breakfast or dessert, any time of year.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
White Chocolate and Cranberry Saffron Braid
A festive bread with soft saffron dough, sweet cranberries, and white chocolate. It’s great for special breakfasts or a standout addition to dessert spreads.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate and Cranberry Saffron Braid
Star Bread
This pull-apart cinnamon sugar star bread isn’t just fun to look at—it’s great for sharing over holiday breakfasts or dessert gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Star Bread
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
