Are you looking for a unique idea for a lovely bread gift? This Red Ribbon Gift Loaf (also known as German Kuchen) is made in the shape of a gift with ribbons and a bow on top. The ribbons look like they are actually baked with the bread. Actually, they are – well, not the actual ribbons but foil placeholders to mark where the ribbons will be placed once the bread has cooled. A very cool idea indeed!
Kuchen is the German word for “cake” and is used to describe various types of coffee cakes made with either yeasted doughs or leavened cake batters. These cakes can be made with a custard or cheese filling, fresh or dried fruit, or fragrant spices and nuts.
This version is made with a yeasted dough and includes dried fruit, spices and nuts. I’ve been wanting to make this bread for a couple of years. Not sure why it took me so long to get around to it. It’s a really fun and crafty bread to make. Easy too! You’ll want to make this bread just so you can get your hands on the dough. It’s magnificent! So silky smooth. I wanted to keep kneading it even after it was ready. But I refrained.
While I was making this bread, a generator blew in my neighborhood and the power went out. It’s always something, isn’t it? Fortunately, the power came back on just about the time the loaves were finished proofing. So although some of the photos are a little dark, the bread turned out just fine.
You might enjoy these other Bread Gift ideas:
- Quick breads make wonderful gifts
- Delicious and easy Cranberry Pecan Bread
- Other Homemade Bread Gifts
Red Ribbon Gift Loaf — Bread Gifts
- Yield: 2 Loaves 1x
Description
This Red Ribbon Gift Loaf (also known as German Kuchen) is made in the shape of a gift with ribbons and a bow on top. The ribbons look like they are actually baked with the bread.
Ingredients
- 5 1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 packets instant (rapid rise) yeast
- 1 Tbsp. finely grated orange zest
- 1 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp. ground mace
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup currants
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped (or other dried or candied fruits)
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
Instructions
- In large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, orange peel, cardamom, mace and salt. Heat milk, water and butter until very warm (120°F to 130°F). Gradually, add to flour mixture; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.
- Add 2 eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. I used a Danish dough whisk to finish mixing the dough.
- Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. The dough should feel soft and subtle at this point. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
- Punch dough down; turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead in fruits and almonds.
- Divide dough in half; shape into two 5 x 5-inch square loaves. Place loaves on large greased baking sheet.
- Cut four 18 x 2-inch strips of foil. Fold in half lengthwise. Grease one side of each strip. Mark loaves for tying ribbon after baking by crossing two strips on top of each loaf, greased side down, making “+” shape. Tuck ends of strips under loaves.
- Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
- Brush egg white on loaves.
- Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes or until done.
- Remove from sheet; discard foil and let cool on wire rack.
- When cool, tie loaves with 1-inch wide ribbon. Making bow at top.
- Category: Sweet Bread
- Cuisine: Holiday
This bread was summited to BBD #25 — Baking under the Tree and YeastSpotting, a weekly bread roundup hosted by Susan of Wild Yeast.
Source: Walter, Carole. Great Coffee Cakes, Sticky Buns, Muffins & More. Clarkson Potter/Publishers. 2007.
Bread Baking Day #25
Happy Baking!
Cathy
Mags says
That is just the neatest idea! I love it! I can’t wait to try this.
Cathy (breadexperience) says
You’ll enjoy this one Mags! It’s really fun!
Cristie says
Great idea! I love what you did with tin foil- who would have thought? I have three neighbors left to gift, I would love to use this beautiful bread.
Cathy (breadexperience) says
Cristie, this bread is really easy to make. It doesn’t take very long unless of course your power goes out like mine did. 😉
Gail Littlefield says
Kathy, this gift loaf looks wonderful and I’d love to try it. But I do not see the recipe posted, although the process is very clear and beautifully presented. I could be missing it, but I don’t see a list of all ingredients and quantities. Help! Thanks in advance and happy Holidays from the coast of Maine. ☺️
Cathy says
Hi Gail,
Apparently the recipe I linked to is no longer working. However, I found my notes. Always good to take notes when you make bread. I added the ingredients to the post.
This is a fun and delicious bread to make! I hope you enjoy it.
Happy Baking!
Cathy