Celebrate the holiday season with this delightful Christmas Bread, a festive quick bread bursting with colorful holiday sprinkles. Its tender crumb and subtle cinnamon flavor make it a joyful treat to share with family and friends, perfect alongside warm drinks during chilly winter mornings.
This sweet loaf is glazed with a smooth vanilla icing that beautifully complements the soft, buttery texture and vibrant sprinkles embedded throughout. Whether for a holiday breakfast, dessert, or festive snack, this Christmas Bread is sure to bring cheer and smiles!
- Easy to make with common ingredients requiring no fancy equipment.
- Quick bread style means no yeast or rising time is needed.
- Fun, festive sprinkles add visual appeal and holiday cheer.
- Vanilla glaze perfectly enhances the sweet, cinnamon-spiced flavors.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming, providing rich moisture and flavor to the bread.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and lightness, helping create a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Delivers warm, aromatic notes that complement the holiday flavors beautifully.
- Large eggs: Bind ingredients while adding richness and structure to the loaf.
- Sour cream: Adds moisture and slight tang, enhancing the bread’s tenderness.
- Whole milk: Keeps the batter smooth and the bread moist.
- All-purpose flour: The base that builds structure with a medium protein content for a tender crumb.
- Baking powder: Provides the leavening needed for the bread to rise light and airy.
- Baking soda: Works with sour cream to help the bread rise and gives a softer texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the bread.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, cozy spice that perfectly suits the festive season.
- Christmas sprinkles: Colorful, festive nonpareils that create a fun appearance without bleeding too much.
- Powdered sugar: The base of the vanilla glaze for a smooth, sweet finish.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness to the glaze so it spreads silky and sets nicely.
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and allow easy removal of the bread after baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar
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Using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. This step aerates the mixture, contributing to a lighter textured bread.
- Add Eggs, Vanilla, Sour Cream, and Milk
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Mix in eggs one at a time with the vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Then blend in sour cream and milk until the wet ingredients are smooth, ensuring a moist and rich batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients
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In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon thoroughly. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices, resulting in uniform texture and flavor.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
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Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent a tough bread texture. Ensure no flour streaks remain but stop before the batter becomes dense.
- Fold in Sprinkles
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Carefully fold in the Christmas sprinkles with a spatula. Mixing too much can cause the colors to bleed into the batter, so fold gently to maintain the festive appearance.
- Transfer and Bake
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Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the bread turns a golden-brown color.
- Cool the Bread
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Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5 minutes to firm up. Then transfer it carefully to a wire rack to cool completely, which ensures the glaze will set properly without melting.
- Prepare and Apply Vanilla Glaze
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Whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Spread this glaze evenly over the cooled bread with a spatula for a sweet finishing touch.
- Decorate and Serve
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Top the glazed bread with additional Christmas sprinkles for extra festive flair. Let the glaze set before slicing so pieces hold together beautifully.
- If the bread’s top browns too quickly during baking, covering loosely with foil will prevent burning while allowing it to cook through.
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best mixing and texture results.
- Store the bread completely cooled to avoid sogginess when glazing or covering.
Storage Tips
Keep the bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze sliced portions for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Christmas Bread sliced warm or at room temperature alongside coffee, mulled cider, or hot chocolate. It’s also delightful paired with cream cheese or butter spread for richer flavor.
- Adding sprinkles at the end prevents color bleeding and keeps the loaf vibrant.
- Do not overmix the batter; this keeps the bread tender and light.
- Allow the glaze to set fully for a beautiful glossy finish without mess.
FAQs
- Can I substitute sour cream?
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You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt or buttermilk for a similar moist texture and subtle tang.
- What type of sprinkles works best?
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Nonpareil or small jimmies are ideal as they retain their shape and color better during baking.
- How do I store leftover bread?
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Store tightly wrapped at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate to extend shelf life up to a week.
- Can I make this bread vegan?
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To veganize, substitute butter with vegan margarine, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based milk with a vegan yogurt alternative.
- What if my bread isn’t rising?
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Ensure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh and not expired—these leavening agents are essential for rise.
- Can I add nuts or dried fruits?
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Yes, chopped nuts or dried cranberries add texture and flavor; fold them in with the sprinkles.
- Is it okay to freeze the bread?
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Absolutely! Slice before freezing for convenient portions that thaw quickly.
Christmas Quick Bread
Equipment
- 1 9x5-inch loaf pan
- 1 hand mixer
- 1 wire rack
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2½ teaspoons vanilla extract divided
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Mix in sour cream and whole milk until incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir gently until no flour streaks remain.
- Fold in ⅔ cup Christmas sprinkles carefully to avoid color bleeding.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 60 to 70 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and top is golden.
- Cool bread in pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and remaining ½ teaspoon vanilla extract to make glaze.
- Spread glaze evenly over cooled bread and sprinkle with additional Christmas sprinkles as desired.
- Allow glaze to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a foil tent to prevent over-browning during baking.
- Store bread in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Extra sprinkles add a festive look but avoid overmixing to prevent color bleed.
