Christmas Gumdrop Bread

This Christmas Gumdrop Bread is a childhood favorite of mine. Our neighbor, Mrs. Casper, was the nicest, sweetest lady and I remember she always had the prettiest Christmas tree. Every Christmas without fail, she would give our family a mini loaf of her gumdrop bread. I couldn’t wait until she came through the gate on Christmas Eve – we all looked forward to it. I’m not sure if she ever knew how much my sisters and I fought over her Christmas gumdrop bread, we just loved it so much!

Thankfully her kids were nice enough to share this recipe with me, and they’ve allowed me share it with you all. I think she would have loved it if her recipe became a family tradition for everyone.

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You will need:

3 cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 tsp salt

3 ½ tsp baking powder

1 egg

1 ½ cups milk

2 tsp vegetable oil

1¼ cup cut FRUIT FLAVORED gumdrops (NOT THE SPICE GUMDROPS!!! Ick those are gross)

½ cup chopped walnuts

Cooking spray

Parchment paper

4 mini loaf pans

or one 9.25” x 5.25” loaf pan

Directions for Christmas Gumdrop Bread:

VERY IMPORTANT!!! DO NOT USE THE SPICE GUMDROPS!! Only the fruit ones. The spice ones are nasty but I bought them anyway to show you what not to buy. They didn’t go to waste because my husband loves them (I don’t know why!!) and I used them in the pictures because they’re cute.

Cut the FRUIT gumdrops.

Slice the gumdrops in half lengthwise first

Then make 3 slices horizontally so there are 8 pieces.

Chop the walnuts

Sift dry ingredients, the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

Combine the milk, egg and oil in a large mixing bowl.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.

**(Fun fact – Mrs. Casper gave me this mixing bowl as a wedding gift 37 years ago. I think about her all the time when I use it, and I use it A LOT!)

Separate the cut gumdrops so they aren’t sticking to each other and fold into the batter along with the chopped walnuts.

Prepare 4 mini loaf pans. Spray the pans with cooking spray and line the bottom of the pans with a strip of parchment paper making sure it hangs over the side for easy removal. Spray lightly again.

Pour the batter evenly between the pans.

Bake:

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

** If baking a 9.25″x 5.25″ large loaf, bake for 1 hour.

Remove from pans after 15 minutes and place the Christmas Gumdrop Bread on wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

This Christmas Gumdrop Bread is SO GOOD! I need to start making this throughout the year. It obviously makes the best gifts for family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. I hope you and your loved ones will enjoy this recipe as much as we do.

Thank you Mrs. Casper, you were the sweetest and we all loved you so!

For more Christmas treat recipes, like my Mom’s Best Rosettes Cookie Recipe, click here.