Description
A festive German sweet bread combining tangy sourdough with bright citrus zest, soft crumb, and subtle spices. Perfect as a holiday centerpiece shaped into a wreath or served sliced for breakfast and brunch, this loaf brings warmth and tradition to winter gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Refresh sourdough starter 12 hours before baking
2. Mix flours, water, and citrus zest and autolyse for 30 minutes
3. Add starter, honey, salt, spices, and butter and mix until cohesive
4. Bulk ferment at room temperature for 4–6 hours, folding every hour
5. Fold in dried fruits during final stretch
6. Shape dough into a wreath and cold proof in refrigerator for 8–12 hours
7. Preheat oven to 450°F with baking stone or Dutch oven inside
8. Score the wreath, bake covered or with steam for 20 minutes
9. Reduce temperature to 400°F, uncover and bake for 25–30 minutes
10. Cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: bread
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: german
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 slices
Keywords: winter citrus sourdough loaf, german sweet bread, homemade christmas bread, sourdough christmas wreath, german sourdough, sourdough recipes christmas, winter citrus sourdough