Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe

If you’re ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, cheerful aroma of the holidays, then you’re in for a treat! I absolutely adore this Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe because it’s like unwrapping a gift with every slice — soft, sweet, and just bursting with colorful sprinkles that make it extra festive. Whether you’re baking for a holiday brunch or gifting a homemade delight, this bread will quickly become your new seasonal favorite. Stick with me, and I’ll guide you through every step so you nail it perfectly!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe, I like to use ingredients that are pretty standard in most kitchens, which means no special trips to the store. The balance of creamy butter, tangy sour cream, and warming cinnamon makes the bread soft yet flavorful, while the sprinkles add that magical holiday touch.

• Unsalted Butter: Softened butter helps with a tender crumb and lets you control the saltiness perfectly.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bread just right—it helps create a lovely golden crust, too.
• Vanilla Extract: Gives a warm, comforting aroma that’s essential for this festive bread.
• Large Eggs: Eggs add structure and richness, binding everything together beautifully.
• Sour Cream: One of my secrets! It keeps the bread moist and gives a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
• Whole Milk: Adds extra moisture and helps with the batter texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the bread’s structure—make sure to measure accurately for best results.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together for perfect rise and softness.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors without making the bread salty.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds a subtle warm spice that screams Christmas!
• Christmas Sprinkles: These are the star here—fold them in gently so the colors don’t bleed into the batter.
• Powdered Sugar (for icing): Helps create a smooth, sweet glaze topping.
• Heavy Cream: Mixed into the icing for the perfect creamy consistency.

Variations

I love how versatile this Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe is. Over time, I’ve found that a few tweaks here and there let you make it uniquely yours—plus, it’s a great way to accommodate dietary preferences or bring in new flavors!

• Gluten-Free Version: I swapped out regular flour for a gluten-free blend once, and it worked wonderfully—just be sure your blend has xanthan gum for structure.
• Vegan Variation: Use plant-based butter and “flax eggs” to replace dairy and eggs; I’ve done this for a friend and the bread still tasted festive and moist.
• Extra Spice: Adding nutmeg or cardamom amps up the holiday vibe—my family goes crazy for the added warmth!
• Nutty Twist: Toss in chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch; it’s a great texture contrast I highly recommend.

How to Make Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always spray my 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the bread slides out easily after baking. Setting this up early makes the process smooth and stress-free.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Grab your hand mixer and beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until it’s light, fluffy, and pale in color—usually about 3 to 5 minutes. This aeration is key to getting a tender bread texture. If you rush this step, you might miss out on that soft crumb you want.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Next, add your eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined. Then stir in vanilla extract, sour cream, and milk until the batter feels smooth and velvety. I always scrape down the bowl edges here to make sure everything’s incorporated evenly—no pockets of flour or butter!

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This little sprinkle of spices makes a huge flavor difference. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined—don’t overmix or your bread might turn tough.

Step 5: Fold in the Sprinkles

This is the magical part: carefully fold in your Christmas sprinkles. The trick I discovered is to fold gently and quickly so the colors stay vibrant and don’t bleed into the batter, giving you that perfect festive look.

Step 6: Bake It Right

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes—this is the perfect window I found for a golden crust with a fully cooked center. To test doneness, insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, you’re golden. If your bread is browning too quickly, tent it with foil halfway through baking.

Step 7: Cool and Ice

Once out of the oven, let the bread cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before turning it onto a wire rack to cool completely. While it cools, mix your powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla to create a beautiful glaze. Spread this icing over the bread and scatter extra sprinkles on top for that show-stopper finish.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with a dusting of extra sprinkles right after icing — it adds that cheerful pop of color. Sometimes, I’ll throw on a few edible glitter flakes or a light brush of melted white chocolate to make it extra special when guests arrive.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs perfectly with holiday beverages like spiced chai, coffee with a splash of cream, or even a hot cup of cocoa. On festive mornings, I serve it alongside fresh fruit or a creamy yogurt to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I love slicing the bread into thick squares and stacking them on a decorative platter with powdered sugar sifted over the top. Wrapping individual slices in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon also makes for charming edible gifts that everyone loves to receive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps the bread moist for up to three days, though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to make the Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe ahead of the holiday rush, freeze it once completely cooled. Wrap the whole loaf in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, pop slices in the toaster oven or microwave for just a few seconds to bring back that fresh-baked warmth—it’s like eating it fresh from the oven all over again!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe has become such a joyful part of my holiday baking—it’s like a little celebration baked into every bite. I love sharing it with friends and family because it always spreads smiles and cheer. Give it a try this season—you’ll find it’s not just delicious, but also a fun and heartwarming project that makes your holidays even happier. Happy baking, friend!

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