Introduction

Celebrate the festive season with this delightful Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread. Soft, moist, and studded with colorful sprinkles, it’s a cheerful treat perfect for holiday breakfasts and snacks. Easy to make and sure to please both kids and adults alike.

A loaf cake with a light golden brown crust sits on a white rectangular plate. The cake has two visible layers: the inside, which is pale yellow with scattered pieces of red and green bits evenly spread throughout, and the top layer, covered with a thick, glossy white icing drizzled across its length. Red and green round sprinkles cover the icing, adding festive color. One slice has been cut from the loaf and lies flat to show the colorful interior. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with blurry warm lights and Christmas decorations in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk (240ml)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup red and green sprinkles (jimmies style; avoid nonpareils)
Optional topping:
1 tablespoon coarse sugar
Additional sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract and buttermilk.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix to keep the bread tender.
Step 5: Gently fold in the red and green sprinkles. Avoid overmixing to prevent the colors from bleeding.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle coarse sugar or extra sprinkles on top for added crunch and color.
Step 7: Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check around 40 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Step 8: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Variations

Use jimmies-style sprinkles instead of nonpareils to prevent color bleeding in the batter.
For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
Swap buttermilk with yogurt thinned with a little milk if you don’t have buttermilk on hand.
Try adding chopped nuts or dried cranberries for texture and contrast.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm slightly in the oven before serving, if desired.

How to Serve

A loaf cake is shown sliced into three thick pieces on a long white rectangular plate, the cake is light golden brown on the outside and pale yellow inside with red and green sprinkles mixed through the batter. The top of the cake is covered with a smooth white icing drizzled over, sprinkled evenly with tiny round red and green candy balls. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with pine branches and red holiday ornaments blurred in the background. The scene has warm soft lights that add a festive feeling. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Regular milk can be used, but it’s best to add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes to mimic buttermilk’s acidity, which helps the bread rise and stay moist.

Why do the sprinkles sometimes bleed color?

Nonpareil sprinkles tend to bleed their colors when mixed into batter. Using jimmies-style sprinkles helps keep the colors bright and distinct during baking.

Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 141 reviews

This festive Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a moist, tender loaf bursting with holiday cheer. Red and green sprinkles are gently folded into a vanilla-infused buttermilk batter, creating a colorful and flavorful treat perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunches, or snack times. Lightly sweetened and topped with optional coarse sugar or extra sprinkles, this easy-to-make bread brings a joyful sparkle to your seasonal baking.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes
Yield: 1 (9×5 inch) loaf, approximately 10-12 slices 1x
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk (240ml)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix-ins and Toppings

½ cup red and green sprinkles (jimmies style; avoid nonpareils)
Optional: 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
Optional: Additional sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

Preheat and prep the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
Combine the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed. Set aside.
Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted, slightly cooled butter with granulated sugar until smooth and well combined. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and buttermilk, mixing until incorporated.
Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
Fold in the sprinkles: Gently fold in the red and green sprinkles with a spatula, taking care to avoid overmixing so that the sprinkles don’t bleed their color into the batter.
Pour and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle coarse sugar or extra sprinkles on top for additional texture and visual appeal. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, checking at around 40 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy and helps maintain its structure.

Notes

Use jimmies style sprinkles instead of nonpareils to avoid bleeding of colors.
Do not overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to ensure a tender crumb.
Check the bread starting at 40 minutes to avoid overbaking and dryness.
Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing for best texture.
Optional coarse sugar on top adds a delightful crunchy texture.

Keywords: Christmas bread, festive bread, buttermilk bread, sprinkles bread, holiday baking, vanilla bread, sweet bread