If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat to brighten your holiday table, you’re going to love this Festive Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe. It’s one of those cozy, sweet breads that feels like a warm hug with every bite—plus, it’s bursting with colorful sprinkles that bring all the holiday cheer. I’ve made this a bunch of times and each time the family crowd goes wild for it. Stick with me and I’ll walk you through every step so your bread turns out absolutely perfect, no stress.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfectly Moist Texture: The combination of sour cream, butter, and milk keeps the bread tender and moist, making every slice melt-in-your-mouth delightful.
Festive Fun Factor: Those colorful Christmas sprinkles are more than decoration—they add a joyful crunch and brighten up the loaf beautifully.
Easy Yet Impressive: This recipe doesn’t ask for fancy ingredients or techniques, so it’s beginner-friendly but still impressive enough to share at holiday gatherings.
Sweet Vanilla Glaze Finish: The light vanilla icing gives it just the right amount of sweetness and a gorgeous glossy finish.

Festive Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Festive Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe has a role to play, working harmoniously to deliver that perfect balance of flavor and texture. When you pick your sprinkles, choose ones that will hold up in the oven without melting too much to avoid a color bleed. Also, make sure your butter is softened to make the creaming stage quick and smooth.

Festive Christmas Sprinkles Bread, Christmas bread recipe, holiday sweet bread, colorful sprinkles bread, easy Christmas dessert - 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 butter creamed with sugar provides the base for richness and a tender crumb.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens while also helping create a light texture when beaten with butter.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and fragrant depth that complements the sprinkles and spices.
Eggs: Bind everything together and give structure to the bread.
Sour Cream: Contributes tangy moisture and tenderness – it’s a real game-changer.
Whole Milk: Helps loosen the batter slightly for an ideal pourable consistency.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the bread providing body and chew.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents ensure your bread rises beautifully and stays fluffy.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds subtle holiday spice without overpowering the sprinkles’ playfulness.
Christmas Sprinkles: These little pops of color and sweetness create fun texture and look so festive.
Powdered Sugar, Heavy Cream, Vanilla (Icing): The simple glaze that ties the whole bread together with a silky sweet finish.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

I’m all about making recipes your own, so I often tweak this Festive Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe depending on the mood. Sometimes I toss in chopped nuts or swap the cinnamon for nutmeg or ginger to switch up the spice profile. It’s flexible, so don’t be shy about customizing it.

Variation: I once swapped sour cream for Greek yogurt and it gave the bread a tangier bite with no difference in texture—definitely worth trying if you want a slight twist.
Dietary Modification: If you prefer dairy-free, you can substitute the butter and milk for coconut oil and almond milk—just expect a slightly different crumb but still delicious.
Color Themes: For other holidays, switch the sprinkles out to match the occasion—you could make pastel sprinkles for Easter or red & pink for Valentine’s Day.

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

Step 1: Prepping your pan and creaming butter & sugar

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with non-stick spray or butter to keep the bread from sticking. Then, in a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color—about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial because it traps air and gives you that lovely soft crumb later.

Step 2: Adding eggs, vanilla, sour cream, and milk

Next, add eggs one at a time, beating just until combined after each addition to avoid overmixing. Stir in vanilla extract, then add the sour cream and whole milk and blend everything together until smooth. The wet ingredients make the batter rich and tender—sour cream in particular is my secret weapon for moistness.

Step 3: Mixing dry ingredients and combining

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Pour these dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined—don’t overdo it here or your bread could get tough. Fold in the Christmas sprinkles carefully; this is the moment where a light hand really pays off so the colors don’t bleed.

Step 4: Baking and cooling

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden. Keep an eye on it—if the bread starts browning too fast, tent with foil to prevent burning. Let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents soggy bottom and keeps the crust just right.

Step 5: Making the glaze and finishing touches

While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Spread this glaze gently over the cooled loaf with a rubber spatula. Don’t be shy—this icing is the cherry on top, adding extra sweetness and that tempting glossy look. Sprinkle a little more Christmas sprinkles on top for the full festive effect, then let it set before slicing.

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mixing until just combined keeps the bread tender; overmixing develops gluten and makes it tough.
Use Fresh Baking Powder & Soda: Make sure your leavening agents are fresh to guarantee that perfect rise.
Fold Sprinkles Gently: Too much stirring will cause the colors to bleed into your bread, so treat them like delicate confetti.
Tent With Foil If Browning Too Fast: Covering the bread loosely with foil mid-bake prevents over-browning without affecting doneness.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe

Festive Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this bread with extra sprinkles right after glazing because it invites a little extra crunch and looks so festive — it’s like the bread is wearing its holiday party outfit! For an extra touch, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few small edible gold stars really makes it sparkle on the serving plate.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or even mulled wine if you’re serving adults. On Christmas morning, we enjoy it alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit—it’s a sweet centerpiece that balances savory sides beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

To really wow your guests, try slicing the bread into thick slabs and serving them on a rustic wood board adorned with holly sprigs or cinnamon sticks. Wrapping individual slices in parchment and tying with twine makes for a charming edible gift, perfect for neighbors or co-workers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled and glazed, I wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps it soft and fresh without drying out. If your kitchen is warm, storing it in an airtight container works wonders to maintain moisture.

Freezing

I often slice the bread before freezing so I can grab individual pieces whenever the craving hits. Wrap the slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you want some, just thaw at room temp or warm gently in the microwave.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a slice in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or into a toaster oven for a couple of minutes until warm. This revives the softness and the glaze stays intact, bringing back that fresh-from-the-oven feeling every time.

FAQs

Can I use other types of sprinkles for this bread?

Absolutely! While I recommend using classic Christmas sprinkles for the festive look, nonpareils or jimmies in any color work well, too. Just be sure to use ones that won’t melt excessively in the oven to avoid bleeding colors in the bread.
What’s the best way to avoid the sprinkles bleeding into the batter?

Gently fold the sprinkles in at the very end of mixing. Avoid stirring vigorously or overmixing once the sprinkles are added. This helps keep the colors intact and your bread vibrant and festive.
Can I make this bread dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the butter for coconut oil or a dairy-free margarine and use almond milk or oat milk in place of whole milk. For sour cream, you can use a dairy-free yogurt alternative. The texture will vary slightly, but still delicious.
How long can I keep this bread before it goes bad?

When stored properly at room temperature wrapped tightly, it’s good for about 3 days. If you refrigerate it, it may last up to a week but can dry out faster, so I typically prefer room temp storage for best moisture.
Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?

You can double the ingredients and bake in two standard loaf pans or a larger pan, but keep an eye on baking time as it may vary. The toothpick test remains your best guide to doneness.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Sprinkles Bread Recipe is truly a holiday favorite of mine—simple enough to whip up on a whim, but dazzling enough to steal the show at any Christmas brunch or cookie swap. It’s become a tradition in my kitchen because it’s just that good, and I think you’ll find it becomes a regular on your holiday menu, too. So grab your sprinkles and get ready to bake some joy into your holidays. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making this annually and sharing it with all your loved ones!