Infuse your holiday season with the warm, inviting aroma of this Christmas Bread. Studded with colorful holiday sprinkles and topped with a luscious vanilla glaze, this quick bread brings festive cheer to every bite. Whether served at breakfast, dessert, or as a sweet snack, its delightful texture and joyful appearance make it a standout holiday treat.

Simple to prepare and irresistibly charming, this bread captures the spirit of the holidays while satisfying your sweet cravings with a nostalgic touch. From creaming butter and sugar to sprinkling colorful decorations, every step promises delicious results perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature to help cream smoothly with sugar, providing moisture and richness.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb texture in the bread.
• Vanilla extract: Provides warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the holiday feel throughout the bread and glaze.
• Large eggs: Bind ingredients together and support structure for a soft, fluffy quick bread.
• Sour cream: Adds moisture and slight tang, contributing to the bread’s tender, rich crumb.
• Whole milk: Balances wet ingredients and helps create a moist, delicate texture.
• All-purpose flour: The main structure builder that forms the base of the bread dough.
• Baking powder: Leavens the bread, helping it to rise and become light.
• Baking soda: Works with sour cream to ensure proper rise and texture.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness, while intensifying flavors.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds classic warm spice, pairing beautifully with holiday sprinkles and sweetness.
• Christmas sprinkles: Colorful sugar decorations folded into the batter and sprinkled on top for festive appeal.
• Powdered sugar: Used in the glaze to add smooth sweetness that coats the bread perfectly.
• Heavy cream: Creates a creamy, silky consistency in the glaze to drizzle over the cooled bread.

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan

Set your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. This ensures easy removal of the baked bread without sticking.

Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a hand mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aerates the batter to help create a tender bread texture.

Add Eggs, Vanilla, Sour Cream, and Milk

Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until just combined to keep the batter light. Then incorporate the sour cream and milk to add moisture and richness.

Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl. This evenly disperses leavening agents and spices for balanced flavor and rise.

Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until no flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender and avoid toughness.

Fold in Christmas Sprinkles

Carefully fold in the Christmas sprinkles, being careful not to overmix. This prevents the colors from bleeding and keeps festive flecks intact inside the bread.

Pour Batter and Bake

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the crust is lightly golden.

Cool Bread

Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step prevents sogginess and sets the crumb.

Prepare Vanilla Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. This glaze adds sweetness and a glossy finish that complements the soft bread.

Glaze and Decorate

Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled bread using a spatula. Sprinkle extra Christmas sprinkles on top for a festive presentation. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.

Storage Tips

Store Christmas Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month, then thaw before glazing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this bread warm or at room temperature alongside hot cocoa or spiced coffee for a festive treat. It also pairs wonderfully with whipped cream or softened butter for added indulgence.

FAQs

Can I substitute sour cream in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute with Greek yogurt or buttermilk, which provide similar moisture and acidity to help the bread texture.

Why do the sprinkles bleed in quick breads?

Sprinkles can bleed their color if overmixed or if they’re not designed for baking, so fold gently and use baking-safe sprinkles.

How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the bread is done.

Can I make this bread dairy-free?

To make dairy-free, substitute butter with margarine or coconut oil, and use non-dairy milk and a dairy-free yogurt alternative instead of sour cream.

Is this bread better warm or cooled?

It’s delicious both ways—warm for a soft, fresh-baked feel, or cooled to let the glaze fully set and flavors develop.

Can I add nuts or dried fruit?

Yes, chopped nuts or dried cranberries can add texture and flavor; fold them in along with sprinkles.

How should I store leftover glazed bread?

Keep it covered in an airtight container at room temperature and consume within a few days for best freshness.

Christmas Quick Bread

Lana

This festive Christmas Bread is a moist quick bread studded with colorful holiday sprinkles, topped with a creamy vanilla glaze and extra sprinkles for a delightful holiday treat.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course bread, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 people

Calories 448 kcal

Equipment

• 1 9x5-inch loaf pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray
• 1 hand mixer
• 1 large mixing bowls
• 1 wire rack
• 1 rubber spatula

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup Christmas sprinkles plus more for topping

• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.
• Mix in sour cream and whole milk until incorporated.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir gently until no flour streaks remain.
• Fold in Christmas sprinkles carefully to avoid bleeding the colors.
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
• Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to make the glaze.
• Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled bread with a rubber spatula.
• Sprinkle extra holiday sprinkles on top of the glaze if desired and allow the icing to set before slicing and serving.
• If the bread is browning too quickly during baking, cover it loosely with foil and continue baking until done.

Notes

• Use a foil tent if the bread browns too fast during baking.
• Fold sprinkles gently to avoid color bleeding in the batter.
• Store leftover bread covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Glaze can be adjusted for consistency by adding more cream or sugar.