Experience the joy of the holiday season with this festive Christmas Bread. It’s a delightful quick bread bursting with colorful holiday sprinkles that will brighten any dessert table. Each slice is soft and moist with a tender crumb, making it a perfect sweet treat for family and friends to savor during the holidays.

This Christmas Bread is topped with a luscious vanilla glaze and decorated with even more sprinkles, creating a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors. Whether served for breakfast, dessert, or a special snack, this bread brings warmth and cheer to any gathering.

Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter (½ cup): Softened butter adds richness and moisture to create a soft, tender bread texture.
• Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the bread, helping to balance spices and enhance flavors throughout.
• Vanilla Extract (2½ teaspoons): Pure vanilla provides aromatic warmth and depth, elevating the overall taste.
• Large Eggs (3): Eggs bind the ingredients while contributing structure and richness to the loaf.
• Sour Cream (½ cup): Adds moisture and slight tanginess, resulting in a moist and tender crumb.
• Whole Milk (¼ cup): Helps hydrate the dry ingredients, making the batter smooth and easy to mix.
• All-Purpose Flour (1¾ cups): The main structure of the bread, providing the necessary gluten framework.
• Baking Powder (1 teaspoon): Leavening agent that helps the bread rise for a light texture.
• Baking Soda (¼ teaspoon): Works with the sour cream to further lift and tenderize the bread.
• Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavors.
• Ground Cinnamon (½ teaspoon): Delivers a warm, festive spice perfect for holiday baking.
• Christmas Sprinkles (⅔ cup + extra): Colorful sprinkles add festive cheer and a fun crunch inside and on top.
• Powdered Sugar (1¼ cups): Base for the smooth, sweet vanilla glaze topping.
• Heavy Cream (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and the right consistency for the glaze.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Flavoring for the glaze, complementing the bread’s vanilla notes.

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Set your oven to 350°F and generously spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Preparing the pan in advance prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of your bread after baking.

Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the mixture, helping create a tender and airy texture in the final bread.

Incorporate Eggs and Liquids

Add the eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract, mixing just until combined after each addition. Next, mix in the sour cream and milk until smooth. This gradual incorporation ensures an even batter and keeps the loaf moist.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon thoroughly. Whisking blends the leavening agents and spices evenly, which makes for consistent texture and flavor.

Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding until just combined without overmixing. Overmixing develops gluten and can make the bread tough, so it’s important to stop once flour streaks disappear.

Fold in Sprinkles

Gently fold the Christmas sprinkles into the batter, being careful not to overmix as that can cause the colors to bleed. The sprinkles add festive color and a slight crunchy texture throughout the bread.

Bake the Bread

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Use a toothpick inserted into the center to check for doneness; it should come out clean. If the bread browns too fast, create a foil tent to protect the top during baking.

Cool Completely

Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully. Cooling ensures the bread firms up for clean slicing and keeps the glaze from melting down.

Prepare and Add Vanilla Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth to form a thick vanilla glaze. Spread this evenly over the cooled bread using a spatula, then sprinkle additional Christmas sprinkles on top for decorative and festive appeal.

Storage Tips

Store leftover Christmas Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month, thawing before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This bread pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even spiced holiday cider. Serve slices warm or at room temperature for breakfast, brunch, or dessert during the festive season.

FAQs

Can I substitute sour cream in this bread?

Yes, you can use plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk as a substitute, which will maintain moisture and a slight tanginess.

What type of sprinkles works best for baking?

Use hard candy or nonpareil sprinkles designed for baking to prevent melting and color bleeding in the batter.

How do I know when the bread is fully baked?

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

Can I make this bread in a different pan?

A loaf pan 9×5 inches is best for this recipe, but an 8×4 inch pan can be used with slight adjustments to baking time.

How long will the bread keep fresh?

Stored properly, the bread stays fresh for about 3 days at room temperature or up to a month frozen.

Can I add nuts or dried fruit?

Yes, chopped nuts or dried cranberries can be added for extra texture and flavor, but adjust sprinkles accordingly.

Christmas Quick Bread

Lana

This festive Christmas Quick Bread features a moist, cinnamon-spiced batter filled with colorful holiday sprinkles, topped with a smooth vanilla glaze and extra sprinkles for a perfect seasonal 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 bowl
• 1 wire rack
• 1 whisk
• 1 rubber spatula

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 extra for topping

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

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix until just combined, then mix in sour cream and whole milk until incorporated.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.
• Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined with no flour streaks visible.
• Gently fold in Christmas sprinkles, being careful not to overmix to avoid bleeding colors.
• Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and top is golden.
• Remove bread from oven and cool in pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to make the glaze.
• Spread glaze evenly over cooled bread and smooth with a rubber spatula.
• Sprinkle additional Christmas sprinkles over the glaze, let set, then slice and serve.
• If bread browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil during the last part of baking.

Notes

• Use foil tent to prevent over-browning.
• Store bread tightly wrapped to maintain moisture.
• Add nuts for extra texture if desired.