If you’re looking to add a burst of holiday cheer to your baking repertoire, this Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe is the ultimate treat to bring joyful colors and delightful flavors to your table. Imagine a soft, tender loaf bursting with colorful sprinkles inside and topped with a glossy, sweet glaze, making every slice feel like a celebration. Whether you’re serving guests or enjoying a cozy moment by yourself, this bread captures the merry spirit of the season perfectly with its warm cinnamon notes and a sprinkle-studded surprise that everyone will love.

Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple yet indispensable ingredients create a wonderful balance of sweetness, richness, and texture, all coming together to make this bread irresistibly festive. Each component plays a crucial role from the creamy butter, which lends moistness, to the cinnamon that adds a subtle warmth, and the sprinkles that bring that joyful pop of color.

½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and tenderness to the bread’s crumb.
1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter while helping create a light texture.
2½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds comforting, aromatic warmth to the flavor profile.
3 large eggs: Bind everything together and help with rise and structure.
½ cup sour cream: Keeps the bread moist and adds subtle tanginess.
¼ cup whole milk: Contributes to a smooth batter and tender crumb.
1¾ cups all-purpose flour: Forms the base of the bread’s structure.
1 teaspoon baking powder: Leavens the bread for a fluffy texture.
¼ teaspoon baking soda: Works with acid to aid rise and browning.
1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all flavors and balances sweetness.
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Brings seasonal warmth and spice.
⅔ cup Christmas sprinkles, plus more for topping: The star ingredient for that fun, festive look.
1¼ cups powdered sugar: Base for the glossy icing that finishes the bread.
2 tablespoons heavy cream: Creates a creamy, spreadable icing texture.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses the icing with a gentle, sweet flavor.

How to Make Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. This ensures your vibrant bread doesn’t stick and it bakes evenly, setting the stage for a perfect loaf.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar with a hand mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This aeration step is crucial because it creates a smooth base for your bread and helps achieve that tender crumb we all adore.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract just until they’re combined—overmixing at this stage can lead to a denser bread, which we want to avoid! Next, stir in the sour cream and whole milk until everything blends smoothly without any lumps.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This ensures that your spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed, which translates to an even rise and consistent flavor throughout the bread.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just enough to bring the batter together without any visible flour. The secret here is to avoid overmixing so the bread stays soft and tender, welcoming each sprinkle with a perfect, light crumb.

Step 6: Fold in Sprinkles

Carefully fold in the Christmas sprinkles. This step requires a gentle hand—too much mixing can cause the colors to bleed and muddle the bread’s festive look. Embrace the surprise of tiny pops of color hidden inside every slice.

Step 7: Bake the Bread

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top evenly. Pop it into the oven for about 60 to 70 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, and the top boasts a light golden hue. Let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes to settle before moving on.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely. This extra patience is worth it because the icing won’t melt and lose its charm when applied to a cool loaf.

Step 9: Prepare Icing

While the bread cools, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until you get a smooth, spreadable glaze that’s ready to add the perfect finishing touch.

Step 10: Glaze the Bread

Spread the icing evenly over the cooled bread using a rubber spatula and sprinkle extra Christmas sprinkles on top for that show-stopping festive flair. Let the glaze set for a few minutes so it’s just the right texture for slicing.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe

Garnishes

Adding fresh garnishes like a dusting of powdered sugar or a few more sprinkles on top takes this bread from charming to downright irresistible. You might also add edible glitter or tiny holly leaf candies if you want to amp up the festive vibe for guests.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a warm cup of spiced tea, rich coffee, or creamy hot chocolate. For a more indulgent breakfast or dessert, serve it alongside whipped cream, mascarpone, or a fruit compote for extra layers of flavor and texture.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, slice the bread into thick, generous pieces and arrange them on a decorative platter lined with festive napkins. Alternatively, you can wrap individual slices in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon — a delightful edible gift that spreads joy wherever it goes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover festive Christmas bread sealed in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This helps maintain its soft crumb and keeps the glaze from drying out, so every bite stays as delightful as the first.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy this bread later, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag or container. It freezes beautifully for up to two months. When you’re ready for a slice, thaw it overnight in the fridge to protect the sprinkles and glaze.

Reheating

For a fresh-out-of-the-oven feel, warm slices gently in the microwave for about 20 seconds or toast them lightly. This little heat-up brings back the bread’s tenderness and makes the sprinkles shine even brighter.

FAQs

Can I substitute the sprinkles for something else?

Absolutely! While Christmas sprinkles bring festive colors and a fun crunch, you can use mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit to customize the flavor and texture to your liking.

Is this bread suitable for making ahead for a party?

Yes, this Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe is perfect for making a day or two in advance. Just store it properly and add the glaze shortly before serving for the best presentation.

Can I use a different type of flour?

All-purpose flour works best for the texture, but if you want a slightly denser bread, whole wheat flour could be used. Just note this may change the flavor and the crumb slightly.

How do I prevent the colors from the sprinkles bleeding into the batter?

Gently folding the sprinkles into the batter right before baking minimizes color bleeding. Avoid overmixing after adding them to keep their vibrant hues intact.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

You can try using a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend, but results might vary. It’s best to choose a blend that includes xanthan gum for structure to get the closest texture to the original recipe.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about sharing a slice of Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe during the holidays. It’s more than just bread; it’s a little bundle of joy wrapped in color, flavor, and tradition. So gather your ingredients, sprinkle some happiness in the batter, and bake your way to a truly merry celebration. Your loved ones will be asking for this recipe year after year, and you’ll be glad you made it a new holiday favorite.

Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe

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3.8 from 35 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 8 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles is a delightful holiday treat featuring a tender, moist loaf bursting with colorful sprinkles and a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for adding a cheerful touch to your Christmas breakfast or dessert table, this easy-to-make bread combines classic flavors of cinnamon and vanilla with creamy icing and festive sprinkles for a joyful celebration in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread Ingredients

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 Ingredients

1¼ cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bread after baking.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and smooth, creating a perfect base for your bread batter.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing. Then stir in the sour cream and whole milk until well incorporated and smooth.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined, ensuring there are no visible flour streaks. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Fold in Sprinkles: Carefully fold in the Christmas sprinkles to evenly distribute them without causing the colors to bleed.
Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
Cool Completely: Transfer the bread onto a wire rack and let it cool completely. Cooling fully prevents the icing from melting when applied.
Prepare Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until a smooth, spreadable glaze forms.
Glaze the Bread: Evenly spread the icing over the cooled bread using a rubber spatula, then sprinkle additional Christmas sprinkles on top for extra festive flair.
Set and Serve: Allow the icing to set for a few minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy this colorful and festive Christmas bread with family and friends.

Notes

For best results, use fresh sprinkles that won’t bleed color during baking.
Ensure the bread is completely cooled before glazing to prevent the icing from melting.
Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
To make ahead, you can bake the bread a day before and add the icing just before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American