Name: Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 1¼ cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe·5 from 54 reviews

If you love festive treats that bring a pop of color and joy to your holiday table, you’re going to adore this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug in bread form—soft, sweet, and speckled with cheerful sprinkles that stay delightfully bright after baking. Whether you’re making it as a gift or for your own holiday brunch, this bread is simple to whip up and absolutely fan-freaking-tastic. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so you nail it perfectly.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Sprinkle Distribution: Folding in the sprinkles carefully prevents color bleeding, so they look vibrant and festive.
Moist and Tender Texture: The combination of sour cream and milk keeps the bread beautifully moist without being dense.
Easy Icing Finish: A quick glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness and keeps the sprinkles sticking on top.
User-Friendly Prep: No fancy techniques here—just straightforward mixing and baking that anyone can master.

Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe is in its simple yet thoughtful ingredient lineup. Each component brings a special quality, ensuring your bread rises well, tastes rich, and stays soft enough to enjoy warm or toasted. Shopping tip: grab good quality vanilla extract and fresh sprinkles made for baking to get the best pop of flavor and color.

Christmas Sprinkles Bread, festive bread recipes, holiday bread ideas, colorful bread baking, easy Christmas baking - Flat lay of a small mound of unsalted butter softened, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of golden vanilla extract, three large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of thick sour cream, a small white bowl of whole milk, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing a mix of baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon, a small white bowl filled with colorful Christmas sprinkles, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of heavy cream, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Brings richness and tenderness without extra salty flavors, letting you control the seasoning perfectly.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread and helps create that soft crumb when creamed with butter.
Vanilla extract: Adds warm aromatic flavor that’s classic for baked goods.
Eggs: Provide structure and moisture, making the loaf hold together beautifully.
Sour cream: Keeps the bread moist and adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
Whole milk: Extra moisture that softens the texture without weighing it down.
All-purpose flour: The base that forms the bread’s structure and gives just the right chewiness.
Baking powder and baking soda: A dynamic duo that ensures your bread rises nicely and stays fluffy.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors—you don’t want to skip it!
Ground cinnamon: Infuses warmth and a subtle holiday spice that pairs perfectly with sprinkles.
Christmas sprinkles: The star of the show—choose ones with bright colors that hold up well when baked.
Powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract (for icing): Blend for a simple glaze that adds sweetness and sparkle.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love that this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe is like a blank canvas for fun tweaks. You can make it your own depending on what mood you’re in—or what you have in your pantry. The basic sweetness and texture are spot on, but tweaking the spices or sprinkles lets you keep it fresh every year.

Spice It Up: I sometimes add a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of ginger along with the cinnamon for extra holiday warmth—it’s cozy and comforting.
Sprinkle Swap: Using gluten-free or vegan sprinkles works great too if you’re catering to dietary needs.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap sour cream for coconut yogurt and milk for almond or oat milk; the texture stays surprisingly lovely.
Extra Citrus: A teaspoon of orange zest in the batter brightens it up and pairs beautifully with sprinkles.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep Everything and Soften Butter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray. I find spraying the pan helps the bread pop out cleanly without sticking. Make sure your butter is soft but not melted—this helps it cream perfectly with the sugar, which is the next step.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a hand mixer (or stand mixer if you have one), cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—usually around 3-5 minutes. This process traps air and helps create that tender crumb texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, Sour Cream & Milk

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract, sour cream, and milk until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here to keep the batter tender.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This not only blends the leavening agents evenly but also prevents clumps in your bread.

Step 5: Gently Fold Dry Ingredients and Sprinkles

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined—no flour streaks! Finally, fold in the Christmas sprinkles gently. Here’s a little insider tip: don’t overmix this step; overdoing it can cause the sprinkles to bleed color and muddy your finished bread’s look.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. I recommend checking with a toothpick after an hour—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. If the top browns too fast, tent lightly with foil. Let your bread rest in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps it firm up so it slices beautifully.

Step 7: Whip Up the Icing and Finish

While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla to make a simple glaze. Spread it gently across the top and immediately sprinkle extra Christmas sprinkles on top to lock in the festive look. Wait for the icing to set before slicing.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It helps everything blend smoothly and prevents the batter from curdling.
Don’t Rush Folding Sprinkles: Folding delicately keeps the colors bright and stops them from bleeding into the bread.
Check Oven Temperature: Ovens can vary, so if your bread is darkening too quickly, lower the heat slightly or tent with foil.
Cool Completely Before Icing: Warm bread will melt the glaze and dilutes the pretty sprinkle topping.

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe

Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually add just a few extra sprinkles on top after glazing—because why not amp up the festive vibes? Sometimes, I like to add a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect. If I’m feeling fancy, a small drizzle of melted white chocolate adds a nice touch without overpowering the sprinkles.

Side Dishes

This bread is a star on its own, but I love pairing it with a cup of rich hot cocoa or spiced coffee during the holidays. It also makes a sweet side to savory brunch favorites like scrambled eggs or a sharp cheddar cheese plate to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to slice the bread into thick pieces and arrange them in a festive breadbasket lined with a red or green napkin. Another fun idea is to serve slices alongside individual ramekins of whipped cream or fruit preserves for a DIY breakfast bar. Kids especially love the sprinkle surprise—so I sometimes wrap slices in colorful parchment and tie with twine as cute edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store leftover bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for about 3 days that way. If your kitchen is warm or humid, refrigeration is fine, but expect the texture to be slightly denser.

Freezing

This Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe freezes beautifully! I slice it beforehand and wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a zip-top bag. That way, I can just pull out a slice or two whenever I want a quick festive snack.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a slice in the toaster or warm it in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes. This brings back that freshly-baked softness and keeps the sprinkles slightly crisp. Avoid microwaving if possible—it can make the bread gummy.

FAQs

Can I use other types of sprinkles for Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe?

Absolutely! The key is to use sprinkles designed for baking—these tend to hold their shape and color better under heat. Avoid gel-based or very soft sprinkles, as they may melt or bleed colors excessively. Classic jimmies or nonpareils work beautifully.
Is there a gluten-free version of this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe?

You can make this bread gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum or similar binders. The texture may be slightly different but still very enjoyable. Just be sure your sprinkles are gluten-free too!
How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding their color in the bread?

Gently folding sprinkles into the batter and avoiding overmixing is essential. Also, using sprinkles labeled as “baking” or “heat stable” helps reduce bleeding. Adding sprinkles last and mixing just until combined ensures they stay vibrant in the finished bread.
Can I make the bread ahead and freeze it?

Yes! This bread freezes very well, especially when sliced first. Wrap each slice tightly before freezing, and then thaw or reheat as needed. It’s a great way to prepare for busy holiday mornings.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe quickly became my go-to festive treat because it’s easy, cheerful, and totally comforting. Every time I slice into it, I’m reminded of cozy mornings with loved ones, the smell of butter and cinnamon filling the air. It’s perfect for gifting, snacking, or adding that special touch to holiday brunch. I really encourage you to give it a try—you’ll find it’s just the kind of happy baking project that’ll brighten your season and your smile.