If you’re craving a delightful holiday treat that combines festive cheer with a soft, fluffy texture, you’ll adore this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread. This recipe brings together the tangy richness of buttermilk and the joyful pop of colorful sprinkles to create a beautiful, flavorful loaf that’s perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunches, or cozy gatherings by the fire. Every bite offers a tender crumb with just the right amount of sweetness and festive flair, making it a guaranteed favorite throughout the season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun: The burst of colorful sprinkles inside the bread adds a playful holiday vibe to every slice.
- Perfectly Fluffy Texture: Thanks to buttermilk’s acidity, this bread stays moist and tender, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need complicated or hard-to-find items, making it easy for anyone to whip up.
- Great for Gifting: Wrapped up nicely, this bread makes an excellent homemade present during the holidays.
- Versatile Serving: Enjoy it plain, toasted, or with your favorite spreads—it’s wonderful however you eat it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread plays a vital role—from the fluffy crumb to its festive appearance. These straightforward pantry staples work in perfect harmony to deliver a taste and texture you’ll want all season long.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base that builds structure and gives the bread its soft texture.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and reacts with baking powder for that tender crumb.
- Sugar: Provides a subtle sweetness that enhances both flavor and browning.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent that helps the bread rise beautifully.
- Baking Soda: Works with buttermilk to give extra lift and an airy texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens the dough’s flavor profile.
- Eggs: Provide richness and help hold the bread together.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds moisture and a buttery taste without overpowering the sprinkles.
- Vanilla Extract: A warm aroma that complements the sweet and tangy base.
- Christmas Sprinkles: The star of the show—colorful and festive, these bring holiday cheer to every slice.
Variations for Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
Want to make this bread your own? It’s easy to tweak the ingredients to fit dietary needs or personal tastes while keeping that joyful, fluffy character intact.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for those avoiding gluten.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use a plant-based buttermilk substitute and vegan butter to make it dairy-free.
- Extra Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm spice twist.
- Chocolate Lover’s Twist: Mix in mini chocolate chips along with the sprinkles for double the fun.
- Healthy Add-In: Stir in chopped nuts or seeds to add texture and nutrients without sacrificing flavor.
How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan. Measure out all the ingredients carefully, especially the sprinkles, to ensure even distribution throughout the batter.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening agents and ensures a consistent rise.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, beat the eggs, then add the buttermilk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir well until fully integrated and smooth.
Step 4: Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently fold until just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can lead to a tough texture.
Step 5: Fold in Christmas Sprinkles
Carefully fold in the sprinkles to spread their festive color throughout the batter without bleeding too much—typically, gentle folding is best to preserve their shape and brightness.
Step 6: Bake Your Bread
Transfer the batter to your greased loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in your preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, which keeps the texture light and airy.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures that the batter mixes evenly, resulting in a better rise.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter develops gluten and makes the bread dense instead of fluffy.
- Fold Sprinkles Gently: To avoid color bleeding, fold just until the sprinkles are distributed.
- Check Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is at the perfect 350°F.
- Cool Completely: Allow the bread to cool before slicing to maintain moistness and avoid crumbling.
How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
Garnishes
Enhance this bread with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light glaze made from powdered sugar and milk for extra sweetness and a pretty finish.
Side Dishes
Serve slices of this festive bread alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, or even a warm spread of cream cheese or nut butter for a complete and satisfying holiday breakfast.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the bread into small cubes and serve with a sweet dipping sauce like melted chocolate or caramel for a fun party bite that everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover bread in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Freezing
Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. It will keep well for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Warm slices in a toaster or microwave for a few seconds to bring back that fresh-baked softness and make the sprinkles even more delightful.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Regular milk won’t provide the same tang or tender texture, but you can make a buttermilk substitute by mixing a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Will the sprinkles bleed color into the bread?
Some bleeding is normal, but gently folding the sprinkles and using high-quality, non-bleeding sprinkles helps minimize color spread throughout the batter.
How long does this bread keep fresh?
At room temperature, it stays fresh for about 3 days. Refrigerating can dry it out faster, so room temperature storage is best if you plan to eat it quickly.
Can I make this bread vegan?
Yes! Use a dairy-free buttermilk alternative like almond milk with vinegar, and replace eggs with flaxseed eggs or applesauce for similar binding and moisture.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Absolutely! The fun sprinkles and mildly sweet flavor make it a hit with kids for breakfast or snack time.
Final Thoughts
Making Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a joyful and simple way to add some holiday magic to your kitchen. With its tender crumb and cheerful colors, it’s sure to bring smiles around the table. Give it a try this season, and you might just find a new holiday tradition in every slice!
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Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 standard loaf (about 8-10 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a festive, soft, and fluffy loaf combining the tangy richness of buttermilk with colorful holiday sprinkles. Perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunches, or cozy gatherings, this bread offers a tender crumb with balanced sweetness and joyful flair that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Special Ingredients
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan. Measure all ingredients carefully, especially the sprinkles, to ensure even distribution.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to distribute leavening agents evenly.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs, then add the buttermilk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir well until smooth and fully mixed.
- Blend Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently fold until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Christmas Sprinkles: Carefully fold in the sprinkles to spread the festive colors through the batter without bleeding, folding gently to preserve their shape.
- Bake Your Bread: Transfer the batter to the greased loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to maintain light and airy texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing and better rise.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense bread.
- Fold sprinkles gently to prevent color bleeding.
- Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate oven temperature.
- Allow bread to cool completely before slicing to maintain moisture and avoid crumbling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
