If you’re dreaming of a treat that’s both festive and irresistibly delicious, let me introduce you to the Christmas Sprinkled Bread Recipe. This vibrant, colorful loaf bursts with cheerful sprinkles right inside, delivering a visual and tasty delight perfect for the holiday season. Soft, moist, and kissed with warm vanilla and cinnamon notes, this bread is a simple yet magical addition to your Christmas table. Once you try this recipe, you’ll understand why it quickly becomes a beloved tradition to bake and share with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Christmas Sprinkled Bread Recipe lies in its simple, yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a starring role in delivering the perfect texture, sweetness, and festive flair we adore.
- ½ cup butter (unsalted, soft): Provides rich creaminess and tenderness to the bread.
- 1 cup white sugar: Adds the ideal amount of sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.
- 2 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and aromatic depth that complements the sprinkles beautifully.
- 3 large eggs: Bind everything together while giving structure and moisture.
- ½ cup original sour cream: Keeps the bread moist with a slight tang for balance and enhances texture.
- ¼ cup whole milk: Helps create a smooth batter consistency for even baking.
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together with just the right density.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Gives lift to create a soft, airy crumb.
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda: Works in harmony with the sour cream to keep the bread tender.
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon: Adds a festive warmth that’s subtle but essential in this bread.
- â…” cup Christmas sprinkles: Brings playful bursts of color and a slight crunch in every bite.
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar: Used for the glaze, adding a sweet, snowy finish.
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream: Makes the glaze silky-smooth and drizzle-ready.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for glaze): Ties all the flavors together perfectly in the finishing touch.
- Additional Christmas sprinkles (for garnish): To decorate and amplify the festive appearance once glazed.
How to Make Christmas Sprinkled Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Mix the Wet Ingredients
Start your festive baking adventure by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepping a 9×5 loaf pan with nonstick baking spray to ensure easy release later. Cream the soft butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—this step is key for a tender crumb. Then, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract just until combined. Next, blend in the sour cream and milk, which give the bread its lovely moist texture and slight tang. This batter will start to smell wonderfully inviting already!
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Add Sprinkles
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon, making sure everything is evenly mixed and fragrant with that warm spice. Gradually add your dry mix to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. The secret magic here: fold in the Christmas sprinkles carefully using a rubber spatula to keep their shape and color intact—overmixing will cause the colors to bleed. Then spread your batter evenly in the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top for an even bake.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Pop your loaf into the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs clinging. After baking, let the loaf rest for about 5 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This is the moment when the bread’s crumb sets just right, so be patient—it’s worth the wait!
Step 4: Glaze and Decorate
While your loaf cools, whisk powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract until smooth to create a luscious glaze. When the bread is fully cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top and generously sprinkle more Christmas sprinkles to make this bread as joyful to look at as it is to eat. This finishing flourish is what truly makes the Christmas Sprinkled Bread Recipe a standout festive treat.
How to Serve Christmas Sprinkled Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little extra sparkle to your Christmas Sprinkled Bread Recipe is easy and delightful. Beyond the drizzle of glaze and sprinkles, try topping slices with a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a small dollop of whipped cream to elevate each bite. Fresh cranberries or small mint leaves can add a fresh, seasonal touch that looks stunning on a holiday platter.
Side Dishes
This bread shines as a sweet companion to morning coffee or afternoon tea, but it also pairs wonderfully with creamy spreads like mascarpone or softened cream cheese. If you want to turn it into a dessert, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce for a decadent holiday indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation makes any dish feel extra special, and the Christmas Sprinkled Bread Recipe is no exception. Slice the bread and arrange it on a festive board with seasonal fruits, nuts, and even some holiday cookies. Wrapping individual slices in parchment and tying with a red ribbon makes a charming gift for neighbors or colleagues. You could also create mini loaves in cupcake tins for personal servings at your next holiday gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Christmas Sprinkled Bread fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays soft and tasty for up to 3 days—perfect if you plan to enjoy it throughout your holiday celebrations.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later or send a sweet gift, this bread freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature when you’re ready to savor it again.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked warmth, gently warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. If you’ve added glaze, warming just enough to soften the bread without melting the topping too much lets flavors shine without losing texture.
FAQs
Can I substitute the sour cream in this recipe?
Yes! If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with full-fat Greek yogurt or buttermilk. Each will maintain moisture and tenderness, though slight flavor differences might occur.
Will the sprinkles bleed color into the batter?
Good question! If you fold the sprinkles in gently and avoid overmixing, the colors should remain bright and distinct, giving you that pretty speckled effect that makes this bread so festive.
Can I use gluten-free flour for this recipe?
Absolutely! Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to ensure the best texture. Just be sure your blend includes xanthan gum or another binder to mimic gluten’s structure.
How long does this bread stay fresh?
Stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, this bread stays fresh and delicious for about 3 days. Beyond that, it’s best to freeze if you want to keep it longer.
Can I make this bread dairy-free?
Yes, you can swap out the butter for a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil and use a dairy-free milk alternative like almond or oat milk. Just keep an eye on the consistency to maintain the moist texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly heartwarming about baking the Christmas Sprinkled Bread Recipe and sharing it with loved ones. It’s a simple but spectacular way to add a pop of color and joy to your holiday table, and the moist, flavorful bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I encourage you to give this recipe a try—you’ll find it becomes a cherished part of your festive traditions year after year.
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Christmas Sprinkled Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Bread is a delightful, colorful treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Soft and moist with a hint of cinnamon, it features vibrant Christmas sprinkles folded into a tender vanilla-flavored batter, topped with a simple powdered sugar glaze and more sprinkles for a joyful finish.
Ingredients
Bread Batter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup original sour cream
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- â…” cup Christmas sprinkles
Glaze
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Christmas sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick baking spray to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and white sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create a tender texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time with the vanilla extract, mixing just until combined. Then add sour cream and milk, beating until all wet ingredients are well incorporated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing the batter.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the Christmas sprinkles using a rubber spatula, being careful not to overmix to prevent the sprinkles from bleeding color into the batter.
- Fill Loaf Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread the top evenly with the spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake the Bread: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps prevent sogginess.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Decorate: Once the bread is fully cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top, then sprinkle additional Christmas sprinkles for a festive touch. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to keep the bread tender.
- Make sure the bread is completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier flavor.
- Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Use rainbow or colored sugar sprinkles to maintain their color and texture in the batter.
