If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’re in for a real treat with this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe. It’s got that perfect balance of a soft, buttery crumb studded with colorful sprinkles that instantly brighten up the holidays. I remember the first time I baked it, the kitchen smelled heavenly and the burst of sprinkles inside made each slice feel like a tiny celebration. Keep reading, and I’ll share all my tips so you nail this showstopper bread every single time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfectly Moist Texture: The combination of butter, sour cream, and milk keeps the bread tender and rich.
No-Mess Sprinkle Magic: Folding in the sprinkles carefully keeps that festive look without turning the batter rainbow-colored.
Simple Icing Finish: The vanilla glaze adds a luscious touch without overpowering the bread’s flavor.
Classic Holiday Flavors: Just the right amount of cinnamon adds a warm, comforting vibe to every bite.

Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe combines to create that sublime holiday treat you’ll crave. From the richness of butter and sour cream to the festive pop of sprinkles, each element pulls its weight. When shopping, look for good-quality vanilla extract and real unsalted butter to elevate your loaf.

Christmas Sprinkles Bread, festive bread recipe, colorful holiday bread, easy holiday baking, soft buttery bread with sprinkles - Flat lay of a small mound of unsalted butter softened, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of golden vanilla extract, three large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of thick sour cream, a small white bowl of whole milk, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing a mix of baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon, a small white bowl filled with colorful Christmas sprinkles, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of heavy cream, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming, it lends the bread a rich, moist texture without extra salt interfering.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps provide a tender crumb.
Vanilla extract: Adds warm, fragrant notes that amplify all the other flavors.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add a lovely golden color to the bread.
Sour cream: A secret weapon for moistness and subtle tang that keeps the bread from drying out.
Whole milk: Helps create a smooth batter and soft crumb.
All-purpose flour: The base that gives the bread structure; be sure to spoon and level your flour for accuracy.
Baking powder & baking soda: Work together to give the bread its rise and fluffy texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances other flavors.
Ground cinnamon: Brings in that classic holiday warmth.
Christmas sprinkles: The star of the show—bright, colorful, and bursting with festive charm; fold gently to keep them defined.
Powdered sugar: Key for the smooth, sweet icing glaze.
Heavy cream: Thins the glaze for perfect spreadability.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe is how easy it is to customize so it fits your unique style. I like to change up the sprinkles or even swap cinnamon for nutmeg sometimes, but that’s just the beginning—you can really make it your own.

Variation: I’ve tried adding chopped nuts or orange zest for a delicious twist, and it brings a fresh unexpected flavor to the holiday table.
Dietary changes: You can substitute dairy with plant-based alternatives, like coconut yogurt and almond milk, and it still tastes fantastic.
Sprinkle swaps: Use gluten-free or sugar-free sprinkles if you need to accommodate special diets but still want that festive look.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

Start by softening your butter—leave it out at room temperature for about an hour beforehand. Using a hand mixer, cream your butter and sugar together until the mixture looks light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. This is key to a tender crumb, so don’t rush it. It’s like giving your bread a little air massage to keep it soft.

Step 2: Adding Wet Ingredients

Once creamed, add in the eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined. Then, pour in your vanilla, sour cream, and whole milk. Stir gently until everything’s fully incorporated but avoid overmixing here—that’s when the gluten develops too much, and you get a denser bread.

Step 3: Combining Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together. This ensures even distribution so your bread rises perfectly without any surprises of salt pockets. Then gently fold the dry into the wet mixture until just combined and no flour streaks remain.

Step 4: Adding the Christmas Sprinkles

This part is my favorite! Fold in the Christmas sprinkles carefully—too much stirring and the colors will bleed, turning your batter into a pastel mess instead of that vibrant, confetti-like beauty. Just gentle folds are enough to distribute them evenly.

Step 5: Baking Your Bread

Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 60 to 70 minutes. I keep a close eye after the 55-minute mark and check with a toothpick—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too fast, tent with foil to avoid burning while letting the inside bake through.

Step 6: Making and Adding the Icing

While your bread cools completely on a wire rack, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla for a luscious icing glaze. Spread it evenly over the cooled loaf, then sprinkle with extra Christmas sprinkles for that final festive touch.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Overmix: I’ve made the mistake of stirring in sprinkles too aggressively—colors bled everywhere! Gentle folding keeps each sprinkle intact.
Check Oven Temperature: Oven temps vary; I use an oven thermometer to avoid under or overbaking.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh baking powder and soda make a noticeable difference in your bread’s rise and texture.
Foil Tent Trick: If you see the top getting too dark, tent with foil midway through baking to keep it from burning while the bread finishes baking.

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe

Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping the iced bread with a handful of extra Christmas sprinkles to amp up the festive look. A light dusting of powdered sugar also gives it a snowy appearance that’s hard to resist. If I’m feeling fancy, a few edible glitter stars add a little sparkle that wows guests.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a steaming cup of hot cocoa or mulled cider. I often serve it at brunch alongside whipped cream and fresh fruit to balance the sweetness. For a savory touch, sharp cheddar cheese on the side surprisingly complements the cinnamon and vanilla flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve wrapped slices in clear cellophane tied with festive ribbons to give as edible gifts. Layering slices with spreadable cream cheese and jam makes a delightful holiday tea-time sandwich. For parties, I even bake mini loaves in festive molds—guests love the personal touch and it makes serving easy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen’s warm, I pop it in the fridge—just bring it to room temp before serving so the icing softens again.

Freezing

Freezing works like a charm for this bread! I wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. When I want a quick treat, I thaw slices overnight in the fridge or for about an hour at room temperature, and it tastes just as fresh.

Reheating

To warm up colder slices, I pop them in the toaster oven for a few minutes or microwave briefly (about 15 seconds). This refreshes the softness without melting the icing too much—just enough to bring back that freshly-baked feeling.

FAQs

Can I use any type of sprinkles in this Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe?

Yes, you can use any sprinkles you like, but I recommend using classic sugar sprinkles rather than ones with chocolate or non-melting varieties to avoid unwanted texture changes or color bleeding into the batter.
How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding into the batter?

Be gentle when folding sprinkles into your batter—overmixing causes the dye to bleed. Folding just until evenly distributed keeps each sprinkle vibrant and intact.
Can I make this bread gluten-free?

You can! Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binder to help maintain structure.
How long will this bread stay fresh?

This bread stays fresh for about 2 to 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, freezing is your friend.
Is there a way to make the icing thicker or thinner?

Absolutely! Add more powdered sugar to thicken the glaze or a splash more heavy cream to thin it out, adjusting to your preferred spreading texture.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe is truly one of my favorite festive bakes because it’s easy, joyful, and packed with nostalgia and flavor. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to pull out year after year—and share with friends and family who appreciate a bit of holiday magic in every bite. So go ahead, give it a try, and make your kitchen a little merrier this season!