There’s something incredibly joyful about a slice of bread studded with colorful little surprises. This Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe brings that festive sparkle right to your kitchen, making it perfect for holiday breakfasts, snack times, or even gifting to neighbors. It’s soft, buttery, and just bursting with sprinkles that remind me of Christmas morning excitement.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe is my go-to for adding a little magic to the holiday season. It’s not your everyday bread—it’s a celebration wrapped in soft slices. Every time I make it, it feels like a small party in the oven and on the table.
- Joyful & Colorful: Those bright sprinkles peek through the bread, adding fun and festive charm with every bite.
- Easy to Make: You don’t need to be a master baker to get this loaf perfectly soft and delicious—it’s wonderfully forgiving.
- Buttery & Moist: The combination of butter, sour cream, and a touch of cinnamon makes each slice melt-in-your-mouth delightful.
- Perfect for Gifting: Wrapped up nicely, this loaf makes a thoughtful, homemade gift anyone would appreciate.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This bread is a beautiful balance of simple ingredients that come together to create a rich, tender crumb with bursts of color. The sprinkles add a playful touch without compromising the texture, and each component plays a key role in how the loaf turns out.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened butter adds richness and helps keep the bread moist and tender.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bread and helps with that lovely golden crust.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth that complements the cinnamon perfectly.
- Eggs: Serve as a binding agent and add structure and moisture.
- Sour Cream: Provides tanginess and keeps the bread extra moist and soft.
- Whole Milk: Adds creaminess, thinning the batter to just the right texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the bread’s structure.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give the bread a nice lift without being too dense.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a subtle warmth that feels right at home for Christmas.
- Christmas Sprinkles: The star of the show! Use high-quality sturdy sprinkles to avoid bleeding colors.
- Powdered Sugar, Heavy Cream & Vanilla: For the icing that finishes off the loaf with a beautiful, sweet glaze.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this bread is. While I stick to the classic sprinkle combo myself, I encourage you to make it your own! Try swapping sprinkles for mini chocolate chips or nuts if you want to mix things up a bit.
- Gluten-Free Variation: I once swapped the flour for a blend of gluten-free flour and it still turned out surprisingly moist and delicious! Just make sure to check your leavening ratios.
- Flavor Twist: Adding a little orange zest to the batter pairs beautifully with the cinnamon and sprinkles—trust me, it gives that extra holiday zing.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Wet Ingredients
First, I preheat the oven to 350°F and grease my 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray. Then, using a hand mixer, I cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. It’s important to really whip air into the butter here, as it helps give the bread a tender crumb. Next, I add the eggs one at a time with vanilla extract, mixing just until combined. Finally, I stir in the sour cream and whole milk to make the batter rich and moist.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
While the wet ingredients rest, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a separate large bowl. This mix of dry ingredients ensures even distribution and that the cinnamon is subtly present in every bite.
Step 3: Bring It Together and Fold in Sprinkles
Slowly, I add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until there are no flour streaks left—no overmixing here, or the bread could become tough. The sprinkles are folded in last, carefully, so they retain their color and shape in the batter. Be patient with this step to keep your bread looking festive!
Step 4: Bake and Cool
I pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Then, into the oven it goes for about 60 to 70 minutes. I usually recommend checking with a toothpick after one hour—if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the bread is ready. If the top begins to brown too quickly, a foil tent comes in handy to prevent burning while the center cooks through. After baking, I let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Glaze and Decorate
While the bread cools, I whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to create a gorgeous glaze. Once the loaf is completely cooled, I spread this icing over the top and finish with extra sprinkles for a festive flourish. Let the glaze set a bit before slicing.
Top Tip
Through my many attempts at this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe, a few small adjustments made a big difference in the final loaf.
- Use High-Quality Sprinkles: I learned early on that cheaper sprinkles tend to bleed and turn the bread colors into a confusing mess, so invest in sturdy, festive ones.
- Don't Overmix Batter: The moment you add the flour mix, stir gently until just combined to keep the bread light and fluffy.
- Foil Tent for Golden Tops: If your bread starts browning too fast, tent loosely with foil halfway through baking to prevent over-browning without chilling the cook time.
- Cool Completely Before Icing: Spreading glaze on warm bread can cause it to melt off, so be patient and allow the loaf to cool fully for best results.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple with a sprinkle of colored sugar or extra Christmas sprinkles on top of the glaze—it amps up the festive vibe and adds a little crunch. Sometimes, I add a little fresh holly (non-edible!) as a decorative touch when presenting for guests or photos.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced tea. For a holiday brunch, I serve it with creamy scrambled eggs or a fruit salad to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I slice the bread, stack it on a festive platter, and drizzle extra glaze on top. Wrapping individual slices in parchment and tying with ribbon makes charming little gifts or party favors that everyone loves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays soft and fresh for about 3 days, but if you want to savor it a bit longer, freezing is a great option.
Freezing
Wrap the cooled loaf or sliced pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. I’ve had great results freezing this bread for up to 2 months without any drop in flavor or texture.
Reheating
To reheat, I like to pop slices in a toaster oven for just a couple of minutes — it revives the bread beautifully. If you froze the bread with glaze, you might want to add fresh icing after warming for the freshest taste.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can substitute fat-free sour cream or plain Greek yogurt in this recipe; however, the bread may not be quite as rich and tender. The full-fat sour cream helps keep the crumb moist and flavorful.
Sprinkles that aren't specifically designed for baking or that have soft sugars tend to melt and bleed color when mixed into wet batter and heated. Try using high-quality, sturdy baking sprinkles or jimmies to avoid this.
Yes! Substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine and use a dairy-free yogurt in place of the sour cream. Also, swap heavy cream with coconut cream for the icing. These swaps work well to keep the bread moist and flavorful.
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, this bread stays fresh for about 3 days. It can be frozen for up to 2 months to extend its shelf life. Just be sure to thaw completely before serving for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
I always look forward to baking this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe as it instantly brings a little extra joy to the holiday kitchen. It’s a simple way to combine the fun of sprinkles with the comfort of homemade bread. Trust me, once you’ve made it for family or friends, it’ll become a beloved Christmas tradition you’ll revisit year after year. So grab those sprinkles and get baking—this festive bread is pure holiday magic in every slice!
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Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Bread is a colorful and delicious holiday treat featuring a moist, vanilla-scented loaf studded with bright Christmas sprinkles and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for serving as a breakfast treat, dessert, or holiday snack, it's easy to make and sure to bring cheer to your celebrations.
Ingredients
Bread
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup Christmas sprinkles plus more for topping
Icing
- 1¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract just until combined, then add the sour cream and milk and mix until incorporated evenly. Set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to distribute evenly.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir gently until just combined with no streaks of flour remaining.
- Fold in sprinkles: Carefully fold in the Christmas sprinkles, taking care not to overmix to prevent the colors from bleeding into the batter.
- Pour and bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden.
- Cool the bread: Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the icing: While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Glaze and decorate: Spread the icing over the cooled bread evenly using a rubber spatula. Sprinkle extra Christmas sprinkles on top if desired. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- If the bread browns too quickly, place a foil tent over it during the last part of baking to prevent burning.
- Do not overmix sprinkles to avoid bleeding colors into the batter.
- Use a toothpick to check doneness - it should come out clean.
- Room temperature ingredients help in achieving a smooth batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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