Sharing our Family’s Favorite Recipe for Teddy Bear Bear Bread which is a Christmas Eve tradition that our kids LOVE!
As a little girl I remember my sisters & I fighting over who got the head… fun memories!
Our Christmas teddy bear bread recipe only takes a few hours to rise which is nice when you leave it for the last minute.
I am always afraid that if I make him too early he will be missing an ear or foot for our dinner if the kids get to him first, ha!
Table of Contents
Christmas Teddy Bear Bread Recipe
Prep Time – 2 1/2 Hours
Bake Time – 25- 30 Minutes
Serving Size – 8-10 People
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Ingredients Needed for Teddy Bear Bread
- 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup of warm milk ( I used 1 % that I microwaved for 30 seconds)
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs + 1 for the glaze
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp of olive oil + 1 teaspoon for greasing the bowl and another for the glaze
- 1 tbsp honey
- 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- about 12 Craisins
Step by Step Directions for How to Make Teddy Bear Bread
Teddy Bear Bread Dough Tip
If you have a stand mixer you are going to want to use it for this… the dough can be hard to mix. Start using your paddle attachment.
Step ONE – Combine Yeast & Milk
1) Combine the yeast and warm milk. Let the yeast sit for about 5 minutes.
Step TWO – Add Sugar, Eggs, Vanilla, Olive Oil & Honey
Add the sugar, salt, 2 eggs, vanilla, 4 tbsp of olive oil and then the honey to the milk & yeast mixture.
Tip – Add the honey last using the same spoon from the olive oil. The honey will slide right off of the spoon. See below…
Step THREE – Add Flour
Add 1 cup of flour first, then slowly add the rest of the flour, 1/2 cup at a time until all 4 cups are used.
Step FOUR – Switch to Your Dough Hook Attachment
Add your dough hook attachment now and knead about 3 minutes until soft and springy.
If the dough is sticky, dust with it with a little flour.
Step FIVE – Let the Dough Rise for 1 1/2 – 2 Hours
Place the dough in a bowl and cover it with 1 tsp of olive oil.
Cover it with saran wrap and wait for it to rise on your kitchen counter or proving drawer until doubled about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Step FIVE – Create Your Teddy Bear Bread
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the cookie sheet.
To make your Teddy Bear Bread…
- Cut the dough in 1/2. This is for the bear’s body. Roll it into a big ball and put it on the cookie sheet.
- Cut the dough in 1/2 again for the teddy bear’s head. Roll the head into a ball and place it above the body.
- Cut off about 1/3 of the rest of the dough to make two small ears and one even smaller round nose.
- The remaining dough gets divided into 4’s for the teddy bears arms and legs.
- Add Craisins for eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons (press them into the bread)
Step SIX – Bake Your Teddy Bear Bread
Brush on a coat of egg mixed with some olive oil on your teddy bear & put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes till a pretty golden brown color.
Once the bear cools a little I give him a pretty bow of your choosing. 🙂
He tastes especially good with a little tab of butter…. I mean doesn’t everything!
by Tara Lehman
Teddy Bear Bread
Sharing our Family’s Favorite Recipe for Teddy Bear Bear Bread which is a Christmas Eve tradition that our kids LOVE!
Ingredients
- 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup of warm milk ( I used 1 % that I microwaved for 30 seconds)
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs + 1 for the glaze
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp of olive oil + 1 teaspoon for greasing the bowl and another for the glaze
- 1 tsp honey
- 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- about 12 Craisins
Instructions
1. Combine the yeast and warm milk. Let the yeast sit for about 5 minutes.
2. Add the sugar, salt, 2 eggs, vanilla, 4 tbsp of olive oil and then the honey.
3. Add 1 cup of flour first, then slowly add the rest of the flour, 1/2 cup at a time until all 4 cups are used.
4. Add your dough hook attachment now & knead about 3 minutes until soft & springy.
5. Place the dough in a bowl and cover it with 1 tsp of olive oil. Cover it with saran wrap and wait for it to rise on your kitchen counter or proving drawer until doubled about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the cookie sheet.
To make your teddy bear bread...
Cut the dough in 1/2. This is for the bear’s body. Roll it into a big ball and put it on the cookie sheet.
Cut the dough in 1/2 again for the teddy bear’s head. Roll the head into a ball and place it above the body.
Cut off about 1/3 of the rest of the dough to make two small ears and one even smaller round nose.
The remaining dough gets divided into 4’s for the teddy bears arms and legs.
Add Craisins for eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons (press them into the bread)
7. Brush on a coat of egg mixed with some olive oil on your teddy bear & put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes till a pretty golden brown color.
8. Once the bear cools a little I give him a pretty bow. 🙂
Don’t forget to Save & Pin our Christmas Teddy Bear Bread Recipe or Follow Along on Pinterest!
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