Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
A festive loaf made with flour, buttermilk, butter, sugar, eggs, and cheerful red and green sprinkles—this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread brings holiday magic to your kitchen in under an hour!
🎄 The Story Behind Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread: A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite
Every holiday season seems to come with two types of people: the ones who have their wrapping paper color-coded in October, and the rest of us who realize—usually mid-December—that our “baking spirit” hasn’t even preheated yet. This recipe was born out of that exact moment of panic (and joy). One chilly December morning, I found myself staring at an almost-empty pantry—flour, a forgotten carton of buttermilk, and a bag of holiday sprinkles leftover from cookie day. With nothing but a whisk and hope, Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread came to life.
The first loaf smelled like sweet butter and nostalgia. When I sliced it open, those red and green sprinkles looked like confetti frozen in cake form. I remember my kids rushing into the kitchen, their eyes lighting up as if Santa had just dropped off dessert early. That’s when I knew—this wasn’t just a loaf of bread. It was holiday happiness, baked right into a golden crust.
✨ Unique Selling Points of Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread: A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite
🎁 Why This Recipe Shines
This isn’t your typical quick bread—it’s holiday cheer disguised as breakfast. Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is soft, buttery, and dotted with red and green sparkles that make even the Grinch crack a smile. Whether you’re gifting it, serving it with coffee, or sneaking a slice at midnight, this recipe makes every moment feel wrapped in Christmas lights.
What makes it special:
- Made in one bowl: No mixers, no stress, just you, a whisk, and a little magic.
- Moist and fluffy texture: The buttermilk keeps the bread irresistibly tender without being heavy.
- Festive appearance: Red and green jimmies melt into perfect pops of color that stay bright and merry.
- Versatile: Works beautifully as muffins or mini loaves for gifting.
- Perfect for gifting: Wrap it in wax paper and twine—instant holiday charm without the need for fancy packaging.
🧈 Ingredient Notes for Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread: A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite
🎅 A Few Thoughts Before We Begin
Each ingredient here plays a part in building that dreamy, soft crumb and festive flavor. Think of them as the cast of a Christmas movie—each has a role to make the story (or the bread) unforgettable.
- All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy backbone of the loaf. Measure it correctly—too much, and your bread will feel like it’s been left out in the cold.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: The dynamic duo behind that glorious rise. They keep the crumb light, like the first snowfall of winter.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and make every flavor pop.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted gold. It gives the loaf a rich, buttery aroma that hugs you before the first bite.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweet, but not overly so—it complements the tang of the buttermilk perfectly.
- Eggs: They hold everything together, giving structure and a soft, cake-like texture.
- Buttermilk: The heart of this recipe. It creates that moist, tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth.
- Vanilla Extract: The little touch that makes the whole house smell like holiday candles.
- Red & Green Sprinkles: The festive confetti that makes your bread look ready for a Christmas parade. Always use jimmies—not nonpareils—unless you want tie-dye bread.
🍞 Step-by-Step Instructions for Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread: A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite
✨ Let’s Bake Some Holiday Joy!
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). A warm oven means your bread will bake evenly from the start—kind of like setting the mood lighting before guests arrive. Grease or line your loaf pan; trust me, you don’t want your beautiful creation clinging to the sides like last year’s wrapping tape.
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step is more than busy work—it evenly distributes the leavening agents so your bread rises like a champ.
Now grab a large bowl (preferably your favorite one—the one that feels like part of the holiday tradition). Whisk together the melted butter and sugar until the mixture looks glossy and smooth. Crack in those eggs one at a time, whisking between each addition, then stir in the vanilla and buttermilk. The batter should look creamy and smell like pure Christmas comfort.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined—overmixing is the enemy here. If you stir too much, you’ll end up with dense bread instead of the soft, cloud-like loaf we’re going for.
Now, gently fold in those red and green sprinkles. This is the fun part—try not to overmix or the colors will run. Pour the batter into your loaf pan and smooth out the top. Sprinkle a little coarse sugar or more sprinkles for that extra sparkle.
Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool before slicing—but that first bite? Worth every minute.
🎁 Storage Options for Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread: A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite
Once your loaf cools completely, wrap it snugly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it (whole or sliced) for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight on the counter and it’ll taste as fresh as the day it was baked. If you plan to gift it, wrap it in wax paper, tie it with a red ribbon, and slip in a handwritten tag. Voilà—instant homemade holiday charm.
🍬 Variations and Substitutions for Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread: A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite
🎨 Customize Your Loaf
Part of the fun of this bread is how easily you can make it your own. Here are some ideas to help you remix your loaf and keep things merry and bright:
- Flavor Twist: Add a teaspoon of almond extract or orange zest for a citrusy kick that pairs beautifully with the buttermilk.
- Add-Ins: Fold in white chocolate chips, crushed peppermint, or chopped dried cranberries for extra flavor and texture.
- Color Swap: Change the sprinkle colors for other holidays—pastels for Easter, gold and blue for New Year’s, or rainbow for birthdays.
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap butter for coconut oil and use plant-based buttermilk (almond milk + vinegar).
- Mini Muffins: Pour the batter into a muffin tin and bake for 18–20 minutes—perfect bite-sized treats for parties.
Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread – A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 1 ¾ cups 210 g all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup 240 ml buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup red and green sprinkles jimmies style; nonpareils are not recommended as they may bleed color
Optional Topping:
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
- Additional red and green sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9 × 5-inch loaf pan by either lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside once the mixture appears evenly blended and free of clumps.
- Prepare the Wet Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture achieves a smooth and glossy consistency. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, whisking gently after each addition. Once the eggs are fully combined, stir in the vanilla extract and buttermilk until the mixture becomes cohesive and uniform in texture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring carefully until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this may result in a dense texture rather than the desired soft and tender crumb.
- Incorporate the Sprinkles: Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold in the red and green sprinkles, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Exercise caution to prevent excessive mixing, which could cause the colors to bleed.
- Transfer and Garnish: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula. If desired, sprinkle coarse sugar and additional sprinkles over the top to enhance both texture and visual appeal.
- Bake the Bread: Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Baking times may vary slightly depending on oven type and altitude.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice the loaf using a serrated knife and serve at room temperature for optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
Professional Notes
- Use jimmies-style sprinkles rather than nonpareils to prevent color bleeding during baking.
- Avoid overmixing the batter once the dry and wet ingredients are combined; this ensures a tender, moist loaf.
- For a refined presentation, wrap the cooled loaf in wax paper and tie it with decorative twine for holiday gifting.
- The batter may also be baked as muffins (bake at the same temperature for 18–22 minutes).
