Is there anything better than that smell of homemade bread wafting through your home?

Fresh, crusty and warm slathered in salty butter – bliss. Perhaps not the best for my diet but it’s a treat.

I’ve just started planning our Christmas food – yes I’m that person. I’ve got ideas for Christmas Eve – Sous Vide Gammon and salad bits..Turkey for the big day and party food for the next week 😉

We tend to eat a lot of bread based products over the festive period.. From Toasted Pannetone to slices of French baguette smothered with my gooey cranberry Camembert YUM.

I’ve decided I really want that fresh bread smell as we wake on Christmas Day so of course I’m going to need a new breadmaker for the kitchen.. My old one died last year after a LOT of use and since them I’ve been kneading by hand and baking in the oven which is very satisfying although time consuming but I do like the idea of being able to set a timer so its ready and still warm for breakfast.

One of my more rustic looking loaves:

I’m not planning any old bread though, it’s Christmas so it needs to be a fruity, festive spiced treat and it will be spread with homemade cinnamon butter. This bread is also great to use a few days later ( if there is any left) for a special french toast or even a bread and butter pudding – would be a lovely Boxing Day dessert.

I’ll be posting my own recipe for festive bread next month but you could also try this one from BBC Good Food which I have made before and it’s really good!

What do you like to have for breakfast on Christmas morning? I’m also hoping to make these cinnamon buns from Belleau kitchen – well a girls got to have options right?

Next week look out for some special sides to accompany your Christmas Turkey and some cocktail recipes too.

*This is a collaborated post