The Christmas season is here, and what a wonderful time to bake and share homemade breads with friends and family. This week, enjoy a few festive bread recipes that incorporate warm spices and seasonal fruits that would make perfect hostess gifts or sweet additions to gift baskets.

Presentation is everything. To take your breads to the next level, try baking them in Christmas gift tins, wrapping them with a strip of burlap and red and white baker’s twine, and adding a handmade gift tag and a little ornament or a Christmas tree sprig to give it that final finishing touch. These little details will make your gifts extra special.

SPICED GINGERBREAD LOAF

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup dark molasses
• 3/4 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• >> Icing:
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Adjust oven rack to lower third position; heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt and pepper; set aside.

In separate bowl, whisk molasses and hot water.

In a large bowl of electric mixer, beat butter on high until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add brown sugar; beat on high 1 minute until well creamed. On medium-high, beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl as needed. On low, add dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with molasses mixture, and mixing each addition until incorporated. Avoid overmixing. Batter will be thin. Whisk out any big lumps.

Pour batter into pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before removing.

>> To make icing: Whisk ingredients in small bowl. Drizzle over cooled loaf. Serves 9.

>> NOTE: Recipe can be converted using 3 mini pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes, then test with a toothpick every five minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 220 calories, 7 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, 38 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 26 g sugar, 2 g protein.

EASY CHRISTMAS STOLLEN

By Hawaiian Electric Co.

• 2-1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup golden raisins or other dried fruit, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line baking sheet with baking parchment.

In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture to form crumbs. Mix in fruit and almonds; set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix cheese, egg, vanilla and lemon zest. Combine wet with dry ingredients, mixing until most of the flour is moistened.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface; knead 2 or 3 times, until it holds together. Divide in half. Roll each piece into an 8-by-7-inch oval about 1/2-inch thick. Fold each piece in half crosswise, leaving the edge of the top half about 1/2-inch short of the edge of the bottom half. Press the top edge of the dough into the bottom edge. Place on baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned around edges, about 40 minutes. A toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.

Remove from oven; transfer to rack. Brush each loaf with 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle heavily with powdered sugar. Cool. Repeat with remaining butter and sugar. Wrap in plastic wrap until ready to serve. Makes 2 loaves.

Approximate nutritional information, per slice (based on 8 slices per loaf): 250 calories, 13 g fat, 7 g saturated fat, 45 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 15 g sugar, 5 g protein.

More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.