Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a festive quick bread that’s soft, moist, and filled with cheerful holiday sprinkles. The tangy richness of buttermilk gives the bread a tender crumb, while the sprinkles add bursts of color that make each slice merry and bright. This recipe is easy to make, doesn’t require yeast, and comes together in under an hour,making it perfect for holiday breakfasts, snacks, or gifting.
It’s a wonderful recipe to bake with kids and a fun way to bring seasonal cheer to the table. Serve it warm with butter, glaze it with a sweet topping, or wrap it up for holiday gift baskets. This bread is as delightful to look at as it is to eat!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup holiday sprinkles (jimmies work best, not nonpareils)
- Optional: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tablespoons milk for glaze
Preparation
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 4: Combine Batter
- Pour wet ingredients into dry. Stir gently until just combined—don’t overmix.
- Fold in sprinkles carefully to prevent color bleeding.
Step 5: Bake
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan before slicing.
Step 6: Glaze (Optional)
- Whisk powdered sugar and milk to make a glaze. Drizzle over cooled bread and add extra sprinkles.
Variations
- Chocolate Chip Version: Add ½ cup white or milk chocolate chips.
- Citrus Twist: Add 1 tablespoon orange zest for holiday flavor.
- Layered Look: Swirl in red and green food coloring for a marbled Christmas loaf.
- Mini Loaves: Bake in mini loaf pans for gifting—adjust baking time to 25–30 minutes.
Cooking Notes
- Use jimmies sprinkles, as nonpareils tend to bleed color.
- Ensure butter is cooled slightly before mixing to avoid scrambling eggs.
- Bread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve slices warm with butter or cream cheese.
- Pair with hot cocoa, coffee, or spiced tea for a cozy treat.
- Wrap in cellophane and ribbon for holiday gifts.
Tips
- For extra moisture, add 2 tablespoons sour cream to the batter.
- Don’t cut bread while warm,it may crumble.
- Freeze baked bread for up to 2 months; thaw overnight.
- If glazing, let bread cool fully or glaze will melt.
Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Nutritional Information (per slice, 10 slices)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 5g
- Sodium: 270mg
FAQs
Q1: Can I make Christmas sprinkle buttermilk bread ahead of time?
- Yes, it stays fresh for several days and freezes well.
Q2: Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
- Yes, but add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk as a substitute.
Q3: Can I make this gluten-free?
- Yes, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Q4: What type of sprinkles work best?
- Use “jimmies” (long sprinkles). Nonpareils bleed too much.
Q5: Can I add frosting instead of glaze?
- Yes, cream cheese frosting works beautifully for a dessert version.
Conclusion
Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a colorful, festive, and delicious quick bread that’s perfect for the holidays. With its soft, tender crumb, tangy buttermilk base, and cheerful sprinkles, it’s a fun way to bring joy to breakfast tables, holiday parties, and gift baskets. Simple to make and versatile, this bread will quickly become a holiday baking tradition.