Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat, you’re going to love this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe. It’s like a warm, cozy hug in bread form, studded with colorful sprinkles that brighten your mood with every bite. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a holiday staple you’ll want to make again and again. Let’s dive into why this recipe is so fantastic and, of course, how to nail it perfectly at home.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfectly Moist Texture: Thanks to sour cream and whole milk, the bread stays tender and moist, never dry.
- Balanced Sweetness: The sugar and vanilla provide just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the sprinkles’ charm.
- Festive Fun Factor: The Christmas sprinkles give it a playful, joyful look that instantly lifts holiday spirits.
- Simple Yet Stunning: No complicated steps—just straightforward ingredients and easy mixing that anyone can tackle.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe brings together classic baking staples with a festive twist. Each ingredient plays its part to build the perfect crumb and joyful look. When shopping, pick fresh dairy and good-quality sprinkles that don’t bleed too much for the best results.

- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness, keeping flavors balanced.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread without overpowering—classic and straightforward.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, elevating the flavor beyond just sweetness.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and help the bread rise.
- Sour cream: The secret to that ultra-moist texture, making the bread tender.
- Whole milk: Adds richness to the batter without making it heavy.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the bread, providing structure.
- Baking powder & baking soda: These leaveners ensure a light, fluffy crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors—you don’t want to skip it!
- Ground cinnamon: Warm spice that subtly complements the sprinkles and vanilla.
- Christmas sprinkles: The star of the show! Use colorful, non-bleeding sprinkles for the best visual pop.
- Powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla (for icing): Combine to create a sweet glaze that ties everything together.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love making this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe my own by swapping certain elements based on what I have and the vibe I’m going for. You can easily make it your own, and it’s fun to experiment!
- Chocolate Sprinkles: I’ve tried swirling in chocolate sprinkles once, which added a lovely richness to offset the sweetness—highly recommend if you want a twist.
- Dairy-Free Version: Substitute sour cream and milk with coconut yogurt and almond milk; it still turns out moist and tasty!
- Spice it Up: Add nutmeg or a pinch of cloves for a spicier, deeper holiday flavor.
- Extra Fun: Add chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips for texture and surprise in every bite.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by heating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray or butter. I like to line it with parchment for easy removal, but it’s totally optional. This little prep step sets you up for a smooth bake.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with a hand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. It might feel like a small step, but it makes the bread tender and airy—don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, Sour Cream, and Milk
One at a time, add the eggs and vanilla, mixing just until combined each time. Then, stir in the sour cream and milk, blending gently until everything is incorporated. Overmixing here can cause a dense bread, so take it slow and steady.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This ensures your raising agents are evenly distributed, avoiding any bitter pockets.
Step 5: Mix Dry into Wet and Fold in Sprinkles
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, stirring just until you don’t see flour anymore. Now comes the fun part — gently fold in the Christmas sprinkles. Be careful not to overmix here, or you’ll end up with a rainbow-bleeding batter, which looks more like a mess than festive!
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 60 to 70 minutes, checking with a toothpick around 60 minutes—it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. If the top starts browning too quickly, tent it with foil. Cool the bread in the pan for 5 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Glaze and Garnish
Whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla into a smooth glaze. Spread it evenly over the cooled bread, then sprinkle extra Christmas sprinkles on top for that festive finishing touch. Let the icing set for a bit before you slice in—this is where the magic really shines.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe
- Softened Butter Is Key: Make sure your butter is room temp to get that perfect creaminess when mixing.
- Don’t Overmix After Adding Flour: Overworking the batter leads to tough bread, so mix until just combined.
- Use Non-Bleeding Sprinkles: Pick sprinkles that won’t run in the batter for that clean, colorful look.
- Foil Tent If Browning Too Fast: Keep an eye on the oven and shield your bread if it’s browning prematurely to avoid bitter crust.
How to Serve Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe

Garnishes
I like to keep it festive but simple — extra Christmas sprinkles on top are a must! Sometimes I add a pinch of edible glitter or a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect that really makes it special.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine during holiday mornings. I also love serving it alongside fresh fruit or a creamy cheese spread for brunch gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a Christmas party, I slice the bread thick and arrange it on a festive platter adorned with holly sprigs and mini ornaments—it becomes both a centerpiece and a tasty treat. You can even gift slices wrapped in parchment tied with twine for a homemade holiday gift everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Christmas Sprinkles Bread in an airtight container at room temperature. I typically keep mine for up to 3 days, and it stays moist and delicious without any fuss.
Freezing
I’ve frozen slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in freezer bags. It keeps well for up to a month—just thaw at room temperature before enjoying. It’s a game-changer for holiday prep!
Reheating
To bring life back to refrigerated or frozen slices, I warm them gently in the toaster oven for a few minutes. It restores that fresh-from-the-oven softness without melting the icing completely.
FAQs
-
Can I use different sprinkles for this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! You can use any sprinkles you like, but for the best visual effect, opt for non-bleeding sprinkles that won’t color your batter. I recommend using bright, festive colors to keep the Christmas spirit alive.
-
Is the sour cream necessary in the recipe?
Sour cream adds moisture and a subtle tang that enriches the bread’s flavor and texture. You can substitute with Greek yogurt if that’s handier, but skipping it altogether might result in a drier loaf.
-
Can I make this bread dairy-free or vegan?
Yes! For a dairy-free version, replace the butter with a plant-based alternative, use coconut yogurt or a similar substitute instead of sour cream, and swap whole milk for almond or oat milk. For a vegan version, also use flax or chia eggs instead of chicken eggs.
-
How can I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding into the batter?
Gentle folding is key. Avoid overmixing once the sprinkles are in, and try to use sprinkles specifically labeled as non-bleeding. Refrigerating your batter briefly before baking can help too.
Final Thoughts
Making this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe always puts me in the holiday spirit. It’s simple enough to whip up on a quiet afternoon but festive enough to wow guests or delight your family during celebrations. If you want a recipe that’s approachable, pretty, and downright delicious, this is definitely one to try. I promise the sprinkles and glaze make every slice feel like a little party—perfect for sharing or savoring with your favorite cozy drink. So, grab your mixing bowl and let’s make some joyful memories in the kitchen!
Print
Christmas Sprinkles 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
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Christmas Bread is a delightful sweet loaf studded with colorful Christmas sprinkles and topped with a smooth vanilla icing. Perfect for holiday breakfasts or dessert, this soft and flavorful bread combines classic spices like cinnamon with a rich buttery batter. The bread is baked to golden perfection and decorated with a festive sprinkle glaze for a cheerful appearance and delicious taste.
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 oven and prepare pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar. In a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix just until combined, then mix in the sour cream and milk until incorporated; set aside.
- Combine dry ingredients. In a separate large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir in until just combined and no flour streaks remain.
- Fold in sprinkles. Lastly, fold in the sprinkles carefully, but do not overmix them to prevent bleeding of colors.
- Bake the bread. Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is just golden.
- Cool the bread. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the icing. Meanwhile, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla to create a smooth glaze.
- Glaze and decorate. Spread the icing over the cooled bread and smooth with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with extra Christmas sprinkles, let the icing set, then slice and serve.
Notes
- If the bread is browning too quickly, tent it with foil during the last part of baking to prevent over-browning.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding sprinkles to avoid color bleeding.
- Use a toothpick to test for doneness; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Sour cream adds moisture and tenderness; you can substitute with yogurt for a similar effect.
- The bread keeps well for several days if wrapped tightly or stored in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg

