Christmas Bread is a festive and colorful quick bread that brings holiday cheer to your kitchen with every slice. This moist and tender loaf is bursting with joyful holiday sprinkles, adding a delightful crunch and visual appeal that looks as good as it tastes.
The sweet vanilla glaze drizzled on top complements the subtle cinnamon-spiced bread perfectly, making this a wonderful treat for holiday breakfasts, dessert tables, or gift-giving during the season. Easy to make and fabulously festive, this loaf is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Quick and straightforward to prepare, even for beginner bakers.
- Beautifully festive with colorful sprinkles inside and atop for that holiday sparkle.
- Soft, moist texture with a gentle cinnamon flavor enhanced by creamy vanilla glaze.
- Versatile for breakfast, dessert, or sharing as a thoughtful homemade gift.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup softened butter provides a rich, creamy base that adds moisture and flavor to the bread.
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup for sweetness, helping to create a tender crumb and caramelized crust.
- Vanilla extract: 2 1/2 teaspoons infuse the bread with warm aromatic notes that complement the other flavors.
- Large eggs: 3 eggs act as a natural binder and contribute to the bread’s soft texture and structure.
- Sour cream: 1/2 cup adds tanginess while keeping the bread moist and tender.
- Whole milk: 1/4 cup contributes to the batter’s smooth consistency and subtle richness.
- All-purpose flour: 1 3/4 cups forms the bread’s body and provides structure.
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon is the primary leavening agent helping the bread rise evenly.
- Baking soda: 1/4 teaspoon works with acidic ingredients for optimal rise and softness.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon to balance sweetness and enhance flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon adds warm spice perfect for the holiday season.
- Christmas sprinkles: 2/3 cup plus extra for topping, brightening the bread with festive color and a bit of texture.
- Powdered sugar: 1 1/4 cups for the glaze, providing a smooth and sweet finish.
- Heavy cream: 2 tablespoons in the icing create a luscious consistency for easy spreading.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon in the glaze enhances the sweetness with fragrant notes.
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan
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Set your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray. This ensures the bread releases cleanly after baking, preventing sticking and making cleanup simpler.
- Cream butter and sugar
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Using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step aerates the mixture, resulting in a soft, tender crumb in the final loaf.
- Add eggs and wet ingredients
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Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until just combined, then fold in sour cream and milk. These add moisture, richness, and a slight tang to balance the sweetness.
- Combine dry ingredients
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Thorough mixing distributes leavening agents and spices evenly for consistent flavor and rise.
- Incorporate dry ingredients and sprinkles
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Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until no flour streaks remain. Carefully fold in the Christmas sprinkles without overmixing, to avoid bleeding colors into the batter.
- Transfer batter and bake
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Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top for even baking. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top turns a lovely golden color.
- Cool and glaze
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Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack. While the bread cools completely, whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla to make the vanilla glaze. Spread the icing evenly over the cooled bread.
- Add finishing touches
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Sprinkle extra Christmas sprinkles on the glazed loaf for a festive, eye-catching presentation. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving to maintain the lovely texture.
- If the bread’s crust is browning too quickly, tent it loosely with foil to prevent burning while the inside bakes through.
- Use quality sprinkles labeled for baking to avoid color bleeding and ensure optimal appearance.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before glazing to prevent the icing from melting and running off.
Storage Tips
Store the Christmas Bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate it up to 1 week or freeze slices individually wrapped for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this festive bread warm or at room temperature with butter or cream cheese for breakfast or brunch. It also pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or holiday tea to complete your cozy celebration.
- Use room temperature eggs and dairy for better batter incorporation and a light texture.
- Mix sprinkles in gently and avoid overmixing to keep colors vibrant without bleeding.
- Check doneness starting at 60 minutes with a toothpick to avoid overbaking and drying out the bread.
FAQs
- Can I substitute sour cream in this bread?
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Yes, you can replace sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk for a similar tang and moisture without significantly changing texture.
- Can I make this bread dairy-free?
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To make it dairy-free, use vegan butter, plant-based milk, and coconut cream or a dairy-free yogurt substitute.
- What if I don’t have Christmas sprinkles?
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You can use any colorful baking sprinkles or chopped festive candies, but avoid sprinkles meant only for decoration that may melt or bleed colors.
- How long will the glaze stay fresh?
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The vanilla glaze sets quickly and tastes best within a day or two. Store leftover glazed bread covered to keep it moist.
- Can I bake this in a different pan size?
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A 9×5-inch loaf pan works best; smaller pans may require longer baking times, while larger pans might bake faster—adjust accordingly.
Christmas Bread
Equipment
- 1 9x5-inch loaf pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray
- 1 hand mixer
- 1 large mixing bowls
- 1 wire rack
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined, then 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.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined with no flour streaks.
- Fold in Christmas sprinkles carefully to avoid color bleeding.
- Pour 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.
- Cool the bread in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to make the glaze.
- Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled bread and smooth with a spatula.
- Sprinkle additional sprinkles on top if desired, let the glaze set, then slice and serve.
- If the bread browns too quickly during baking, tent it loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.
Notes
- Use foil tent to prevent over-browning if needed.
- Store bread in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Add different holiday sprinkles for variation.
