Christmas Breads, Buns & Sweet Rolls for Holiday Baking

Holiday bread baking can be as simple as a glazed quick bread or as traditional as a tall panettone. The best Christmas breads are the ones that fit the moment: something sweet for Christmas morning, a soft roll for brunch, or a loaf that can be sliced and shared over several days.

This collection brings together breads, buns and sweet rolls already in the What's Baking recipe library so you can plan a holiday bake without relying on one style of bread.

8 Christmas Breads, Buns & Sweet Rolls to Bake This Holiday Season

1. Vegan Panettone

Panettone is one of the most recognizable Christmas breads, with its tall shape and festive presentation. This vegan version works well as a holiday centerpiece, breakfast bread or edible gift.

2. Cranberry Orange Bread

Cranberry and orange are naturally at home in December. This loaf is easy to slice for breakfast, afternoon coffee or a holiday brunch, and it gives the table bright fruit flavor without needing a rich frosting.

3. Cranberry Orange Breakfast Buns

These soft buns are especially useful for Christmas morning because the shaped buns can be refrigerated for up to 12 hours before baking. That lets you do the hands-on work the night before and bake them fresh in the morning.

4. Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls

Warm cinnamon rolls are one of the easiest ways to make a holiday breakfast feel special. Serve them as the sweet side of a brunch menu rather than pairing them with several other rich pastries.

5. Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls

If you already bake with sourdough, this version gives the classic cinnamon roll a more complex flavor. It is a good choice for a slower holiday baking project when you want the dough itself to be part of the experience.

6. Monkey Bread

Monkey bread is made for sharing. Its pull-apart format works especially well for a family breakfast or casual brunch where everyone can take a piece from the same warm centerpiece.

7. Rundstykker (Danish Breakfast Rolls)

These crisp-edged, soft-centered breakfast rolls use an overnight refrigerated proof, making them another practical choice for Christmas morning. Serve them with butter, jam, cheese or other simple brunch accompaniments.

8. Sourdough Brioche

Brioche brings richness without needing to be heavily decorated. Slice it for breakfast, serve it alongside coffee, or use leftovers for toast the next day.

Which Christmas Bread Should You Make?

• For a traditional Christmas centerpiece: Vegan Panettone.
• For an easy loaf: Cranberry Orange Bread.
• For Christmas morning: Cranberry Orange Breakfast Buns or Rundstykker.
• For a sweet brunch centerpiece: Cinnamon Rolls or Monkey Bread.
• For a slower baking project: Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls or Sourdough Brioche.

How to Build a Holiday Bread Basket

You do not need several sweet breads at the same meal. A balanced holiday bread basket can be as simple as one sweet option and one less-sweet bread. For example, serve cranberry-orange buns with Rundstykker, or pair a panettone with a simple brioche.

Make-Ahead Christmas Morning Planning

The easiest Christmas-morning breads are the ones whose timing naturally shifts work to the night before. Cranberry-orange breakfast buns can be shaped and chilled, while Rundstykker use a long refrigerated proof. For a broader Christmas-morning plan, see our Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfast & Brunch guide.

Christmas Bread for Gifting

Loaves are easier to gift when they are completely cool before wrapping. Use parchment or a food-safe bag inside the outer packaging, then add a label with the bread name and any important allergen information.

If you are gifting a bread containing nuts or other common allergens, label that clearly. Do not assume a homemade loaf is allergy-safe simply because one ingredient is absent.

How Much Bread Do You Need for Brunch?

If bread is one part of a larger brunch, plan smaller portions than you would for a bread-only breakfast. One substantial sweet bread plus a savory centerpiece, fruit and drinks is usually enough for a small gathering. For more menu-building help, see How to Build a Balanced Brunch Menu Without the Stress.

More Christmas Baking Ideas

Continue your holiday planning with our Gingerbread Recipes for Christmas, Christmas Cookie Recipes, and Christmas Cookie Box Guide.