Introduction

This festive Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a delightful and colorful treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, moist, and studded with red and green sprinkles, it’s sure to bring cheer to your breakfast table or dessert spread.

A loaf cake with a light golden brown crust is sliced to show a soft, moist inside filled with small red, green, and orange bits evenly spread throughout. The top of the cake is covered with a smooth white icing that drips slightly down the sides, and red and green round sprinkles scatter across the icing. The cake rests on a white rectangular plate on a white marbled surface, with a blurry background of warm Christmas lights and red ornaments. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk (240ml)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup red and green sprinkles (jimmies style; avoid nonpareils)
Optional topping: 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
Additional sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined.
Step 3: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Step 4: Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Fold in the red and green sprinkles carefully to distribute throughout the batter.
Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle optional coarse sugar and additional sprinkles on top for a festive finish.
Step 8: Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Variations

Use jimmies sprinkles instead of nonpareils to avoid coloring the batter.
For extra moisture, add a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter.
Swap vanilla extract for almond extract for a different festive flavor.
Try adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for texture.

Storage

Store the bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the sliced bread in a sealed bag for up to one month. To reheat, thaw at room temperature and warm slices in a toaster or microwave briefly.

How to Serve

A white loaf cake with a soft, light yellow inside dotted with small red and green bits throughout is placed on a white rectangular plate on a white marbled surface. The cake has a smooth white glaze dripping down the sides from the top layer, which is sprinkled with tiny round red and green sprinkles. One thick slice is cut and laid flat in front of the loaf, showing the moist and textured crumb inside. The background has soft blurred warm yellow lights and hints of red decorations, creating a festive holiday feeling. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

While buttermilk adds tenderness and a slight tang, you can substitute regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per cup. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Why should I avoid nonpareils for this recipe?

Nonpareils tend to bleed their color when baked, turning the batter streaky. Jimmies maintain their shape and color better, giving a more festive look without color bleeding.

Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 479 reviews

This festive Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a moist, tender quick bread bursting with holiday cheer thanks to colorful red and green sprinkles mixed into the batter. The combination of buttermilk and baking soda ensures a light texture, while rich vanilla and buttery notes provide comforting flavor. Finished with optional coarse sugar and extra sprinkles on top, this loaf makes for a joyful holiday breakfast treat or dessert that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 standard loaf (approx. 8 servings) 1x
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk (240ml)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Add-ins and Toppings

½ cup red and green sprinkles (jimmies style; avoid nonpareils)
Optional: 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for topping
Optional: Additional sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed. Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
Add Sprinkles: Fold in the red and green sprinkles carefully, distributing them evenly throughout the batter without excessive stirring to prevent color bleeding.
Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle the coarse sugar and additional sprinkles over the batter to add texture and festive decoration.
Bake: Bake for approximately 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Check doneness starting at 50 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use jimmies style sprinkles instead of nonpareils to prevent color bleeding in the batter.
Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and light.
Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts and prevent crumbling.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Try substituting buttermilk with a mixture of milk and lemon juice if buttermilk is unavailable.

Keywords: Christmas bread, buttermilk bread, sprinkle bread, holiday bread, festive baking, quick bread, colorful bread