Traditional Scottish Yule Loaf Recipe: Festive Christmas Bread with Hidden Scottie Dog Surprise
A beautifully braided Scottish holiday bread, known as a Yule Loaf, sweetened with honey and topped with caraway seeds, symbolizing warmth and tradition. Hidden inside is a ceramic Scottie dog trinket bringing good luck to the finder!
Recipe Inspiration
Once Halloween comes and goes, I start getting excited about Christmas! I don’t watch much TV, however, I am a sucker for Hallmark Christmas movies! On those cold, rainy late-fall days, I like to multitask and watch Hallmark Christmas movies while blogging!
This year, I happened to watch one called ‘A Merry Scottish Christmas,’ which inspired me to try my hand at baking a traditional Scottish holiday bread. During the movie, there was a baking scene with the butler and some of the family members – the butler explains that a long time ago, Christmas was banned in Scotland and bakers were required to report all the names of anyone who asked for a Yule loaf. A small Scottie dog trinket was hidden in the dough and then baked inside. Whichever family member found the dog is said to have good luck!
Ummmm….hello!!! That is totally up my alley! What a fun story tied to a hidden trinket bread recipe! It instantly reminded me of the time my husband found the trinket in a King Cake during our family Christmas trip to France (and through Germany, Austria, and England).
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Ceramic Scottie Dog Trinkets
I immediately hopped online and started searching for food-safe ceramic Scottie Dogs! I found the cutest ones on Etsy, and they shipped all the way from Thailand. While I can’t guarantee they’re food-safe, if I’m still here blogging after this Christmas season, let’s just assume everything worked out! 😉
Safety Note
If you choose to include a ceramic Scottie dog trinket in your Yule loaf, please ensure to inform anyone consuming the bread about the hidden trinket. Consider placing a small warning card with the loaf, reminding recipients to eat carefully to avoid swallowing or damaging teeth on the trinket. Always prioritize food-safe materials for baking, and if unsure, wrap the trinket in food-grade parchment paper before placing it inside the dough. Safety first, especially during the holidays!
Family Traditions
I’m all about family tradition, especially around the holidays. My most favorite time of year is going downtown Chicago for my side of the family’s annual Christmas trip. I thought it would be so fun to incorporate a Scottish tradition into our very German influenced family…since our last name is Bruce {Scottish}. So, I baked one of these Yule Loafs and sent it to my brother-in-law & sister-in-law in California and plan to bake another one for our family gathering at Christmas!
History of The Scottish Yule Loaf / What Is A Yule Loaf?
- Shape: The bread is plaited into a circle to represent the sun
- Caraway seeds: Represent the winter spirits and are believed to protect against theft and evil
- Good luck: A ceramic Scottie Dog is hidden in each loaf, and the person who finds it is said to have good luck for the year
- Family togetherness: A symbol of family coming together at Christmas
I did a bunch of research looking for a recipe for this traditional Scottish holiday bread, the Yule Loaf, and I really had a hard time finding one! The recipe I’m sharing is from Cailleachs Herbarium. Their recipe didn’t include the ceramic Scottie Dog, so I added it!
Yule Loaf Ingredients
- Honey: Adds a natural sweetness and helps the bread retain moisture
- Dry Yeast: Essential for leavening, giving the loaf its airy and fluffy texture
- Warm Water: Activates the yeast and ensures the dough comes together smoothly
- Egg: Provides richness, structure, and a golden finish to the loaf
- All-Purpose Flour: The main ingredient for a light and tender texture
- Whole Wheat Flour: Adds a hearty, nutty flavor and boosts the loaf’s fiber content
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness
- Caraway Seeds: Lends a warm, earthy flavor and a traditional touch to the loaf
- Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking and ensures easy removal from the pan
Hiding The Scottie Dog Trinket
The most fun part of baking the Yule Loaf is hiding the little Scottie Dog trinket! For the loaf I mailed to my brother-in-law, I included a warning card on top of the loaf ensuring that they be extra careful when eating the bread to not swallow or crack a tooth on the Scottie Dog! (I have induced all of my printable at the end of this blog post)!
I hid the dog in one of the braid stands and then braided that strand into the loaf.
Video Tutorial
Printable Cards
I’ve created a whole set of printable cards that include:
- recipe card
- history card
- caution card
- Scottish Christmas blessing card
- blank Scottie dog card
Click the image below to download your free printable cards!
Yule Loaf Recipe Card
Yule Loaf
Equipment
- small mixing bowl
- 8 inch pie dish
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 tbs honey
- 1 pkg dry active yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
- 1 c warm water (body temperature water)
- 1 tsp water
- 1 egg
- 2 1/3 c all-purpose flour
- 1 c whole wheat flour
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp caraway seeds
- cooking spray
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp water
Instructions
Dough
- Dissolve honey and yeast in 1 cup warm water in a bowl; let stand 5 minutes
- In a small bowl, whisk 1 egg and 1 tsp water. Stir into yeast mixture
- In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt, 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- Mix yeast mixture into flour mixture and combine to form a soft dough
- Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes)
Dough Rising
- Place the dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)
- Punch the dough down; cover and let rest for 5 minutes
- Divide dough in three. Working with one portion at a time, roll each portion into a 12-inch rope on a lightly floured surface. Hide the Scottie Dog trinket in one of the ropes. Plait ropes together (similar to a braid), and pinch ends to seal in a circle
- Place dough in an 8-inch pie dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size
Baking
- Preheat oven to 275°F. Uncover dough. Brush egg wash mixture over loaf, and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
- Bake at 275°F for 30 minutes or until loaf is browned on bottom and sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack
- Serve and enjoy! ***Remember to be careful when eating, do not eat the ceramic Scottie Dog trinket
Loved this recipe? Share it on Pinterest to inspire your friends to bake their own Scottish Yule Loaf!
More Christmas Recipes!
To complement your Scottish Yule Loaf and create a festive holiday menu, consider including these delightful recipes from Gathered in the Kitchen:
- Easy Holiday Ham Recipe: A succulent bone-in ham baked with pineapple and brown sugar, offering a sweet and savory centerpiece for your Christmas feast
- German Fruit Cake: A time-honored family recipe featuring a dense, rich cake bursting with sweetened fruits and robust spices—a must-have during the Christmas season
- Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole: An easy-to-make sausage, egg, and cheese casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd on busy holiday mornings
- Red Velvet Christmas Crinkle Cookies: Festive cookies made with red velvet cake mix, eggs, oil, and powdered sugar—simple yet delightful treats for your holiday cookie platter
- Mom’s Peanut Butter & Kisses Cookies: Classic peanut butter cookies topped with a Hershey’s Kiss, combining creamy peanut butter and chocolate for an irresistible holiday treat
- Christmas M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies: Soft and delicious chocolate chip cookies loaded with festive red and green M&Ms, adding a cheerful touch to your dessert table
- Cranberry Fluff with Marshmallows: A sweet and tangy cranberry salad mixed with marshmallows and whipped topping, serving as a refreshing side dish or dessert
- Mom’s Classic Sugar Cookie Recipe: Traditional rolled sugar cookies perfect for decorating with royal icing, making them a fun and tasty activity for the whole family
- Snowball Cookies (Mexican Wedding Cookies): Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies coated in powdered sugar, adding a snowy appearance to your holiday cookie assortment
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Stephanie—home cook, DIY addict, seasonal decor fanatic, and proud chicken wrangler living in a Victorian house that’s always a project. Whether I’m cooking with garden-fresh ingredients, herding mischievous chickens, or tackling another DIY, I’m here to share the fun (and chaos).
