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Baking a Christmas Wreath

by Marie on December 4, 2007

I used to make these with my mother when I was growing up. They would be the special treat that I got to give to my friends for Christmas. They are simple and fun to make, and very festive. These sweet bread trees, wreaths, and candy canes will be a hit with neighbors this year.

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Now, my mom would make the yummy bread dough from scratch, along with the sweet frosting. But my time seems to be limited this Christmas season, so I have made mine a little easier. I bought frozen bread dough. I thawed out 12-15, do as many as you think you want to make. Next, you divide the dough up and roll them into tiny balls. I split one of the dough balls into 4ths and 8ths. You can really make these any size you want, but remember that they do get much bigger when they raise and are cooked.

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Then place them into fun Christmas shapes. We did a large and small Christmas trees, candy canes, wreaths. I even did an S for Santa that he could eat when he comes with the presents.

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Then the hard part – waiting for them to rise so that you can put them into the oven. Depending on your kitchen and how warm it is, you will need to let these rise for at least a hour or so. Once they are double in size, bake them using the directions of your bread dough recipe.

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After they are cooked, let them cool. Get your frosting ready. Homemade frosting is easy and always tastier, but I am using the store kind this time. I like it a little bit more melted, so I put it into the microwave for a few seconds. Make sure to get the frosting into the nooks of the bread. Now you are ready for the best part, M&M’s. You can use peanut or plain, or even dark – for Jordan. Place each m&m into the nooks and dips of the bread. For the tree, they will help make it look like ornaments. For the wreath they are the berries. Have fun and be creative. Enjoy!

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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

1 neffgang December 4, 2007 at 8:39 am

Really cute Marie! The question is- how do they taste? I’m curious to see how the store bought bread tastes compared to Mom’s sweet bread from scratch. Let me know. You’re awesome!

2 bonnieb December 4, 2007 at 8:40 am

So cute! I would never have thought about using the frozen bread dough! And they all look so yummy!

3 Marie December 4, 2007 at 10:45 am

Neffgang, It tastes great for how easy it is. The frosting makes it sweet enough. Mom and I talked about maybe rolling the frozen dough in sugar before they are cooked too.

Bonnie, I love using the frozen dough. I use Rhodes Rolls that are sold in the freezer section of the grocery store. I heard they are only available in Utah, but I am sure there are other brands of frozen dough out there.

4 Becky December 4, 2007 at 1:19 pm

My mom totally always makes these and I used to give them to my friends! This a great idea to used the frozen dough! I’ll have to try it out!

5 alyssa December 4, 2007 at 10:56 pm

So crafty and really cute!

6 Heather D. White December 4, 2007 at 10:57 pm

What a fun idea…and they look absolutely DELISH!!!!

7 Rachel Holt December 5, 2007 at 2:40 am

YUMMY! I am making these tomorrow! haha! Thanks Marieeee :O)

8 Whatever deedee wants December 5, 2007 at 9:12 am

What a great treat! they look so cute!

9 kim December 5, 2007 at 12:27 pm

I am going to try these with the dough I make in my bread machine….yummy!

10 apples on a stick December 5, 2007 at 8:02 pm

That looks really good! I like this idea much better than the traditional cookies!

11 Marie December 6, 2007 at 2:00 pm

Thanks for the comments, everyone. This is such a fun and different Christmas treat. Perfect for neighbors or friends. I hope they turn out well for you all.

12 beki December 7, 2007 at 6:50 am

Yum! What a great idea!!

13 Carrie January 18, 2008 at 12:26 pm

These turned out great! We also tried using Rhodes cinnamon rolls using the cream cheese frosting that is included in the package. Thank you for sharing this fun idea!

14 The Ring Wreath September 23, 2008 at 11:16 am

Oh boy, those look absolutely delicious. I never thought about wreaths that you don’t have to hang up on the wall. Now I have to go buy some cookies, thanks a lot.

15 Janel December 2, 2008 at 10:35 am

What an awesome idea! I love to make homemade bread and frosting, too, but since you proposed the store-bought kind, and admitted you use it yourself occasionally, I feel freed from guilt and (as usual from your blog) empowered to do this cute little Christmas project!

16 An Ordinary Cook December 13, 2009 at 5:20 am

I’d love the recipe for the homemade dough!

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