Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Festive, Moist Holiday Treat

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Introduction

In my kitchens around the world, from Paris to Tokyo, the holiday season is heralded not just by the chill in the air, but by the symphony of scents wafting from the ovens. It is a time for culinary magic, for creating edible memories. I’ve always believed that the most profound dishes are often the simplest at heart, and this is the very soul of my Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread. This is not merely a recipe; it is an invitation to joy. Imagine a loaf so tender it practically melts on your tongue, with a gentle tang from rich buttermilk, and a festive explosion of colorful sprinkles in every single slice. It’s the kind of treat that bridges the gap between a celebratory breakfast and a decadent dessert. Let me guide you through creating this masterpiece, and you’ll soon see why it will become an essential part of your holiday tradition.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Spectacularly Festive: The vibrant sprinkles suspended in the pale crumb make this bread a visual delight, perfect as a centerpiece for a holiday brunch or a cheerful, edible gift.
• Incredibly Moist & Tender: The secret is the buttermilk, which tenderizes the gluten and adds a subtle, pleasant tang, resulting in a divinely soft texture that stays moist for days.
• Effortlessly Elegant: This is a “quick bread,” meaning no yeast, no kneading, and no proofing. You can achieve a professional-quality loaf with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy holiday schedules.
• A Taste of Pure Nostalgia: It combines the simple comfort of a classic pound cake with the whimsical fun of a birthday cake, evoking feelings of pure, unadulterated holiday happiness.

Preparation Time and Servings

⏱️ Preparation Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 50-60 minutes
⏰ Total Time: Approximately 70 minutes
💡 Difficulty: Easy
👥 Servings: 10-12 slices

This quick holiday bread is perfect for when you need a stunning, fast treat without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients List

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 cup (240ml) full-fat buttermilk, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup Christmas-colored sprinkles (use jimmies for best results), plus more for topping

For the Vanilla Glaze (Optional):

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, ensuring you tap out any excess flour.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This aeration step is crucial for a light crumb.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Pour in the room-temperature buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
4. Marry the Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter together until it is just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly acceptable.
5. Incorporate the Sprinkles: Gently fold in the ¾ cup of Christmas sprinkles. Mix just enough to distribute them evenly throughout the batter. Overmixing at this stage can cause the colors to bleed.
6. Bake to Perfection: Scrape the batter into your prepared loaf pan and use the spatula to smooth the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. The bread is done when a wooden skewer or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
7. Cool Completely: Allow the Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then, carefully invert the loaf onto the rack to remove it from the pan and let it cool completely before glazing and slicing. Patience here is key to a clean slice.
8. Glaze and Garnish: If using the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach a drizzling consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled loaf and immediately top with additional sprinkles before the glaze sets.

Expert Tips for a Perfect Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing your eggs and buttermilk to room temperature allows them to emulsify more effectively with the butter, creating a smoother batter and a more uniform, tender crumb in your finished bread.
• The Right Kind of Sprinkles Matter: For this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread, I implore you to use “jimmies” (the rod-shaped sprinkles). They hold their shape and color far better during baking. Nonpareils (the tiny balls) tend to dissolve and bleed, which can muddy the color of your beautiful loaf.
• Do Not Overmix: This is the golden rule of all quick breads. Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until you no longer see streaks of flour. Overmixing develops gluten, which will result in a tough, dense bread rather than a light, fluffy one.
• Check for Doneness Correctly: Ovens can vary. Start checking your bread at the 50-minute mark. The skewer test is the most reliable method. If the top is browning too quickly, you can create a loose tent with aluminum foil to place over it for the final 10-15 minutes of baking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned chefs can make simple errors. Here is how to ensure your culinary creation is flawless:

• Overmixing the batter – This is the most common pitfall. It leads to a dense, chewy texture instead of the desired light and fluffy crumb. Stop mixing as soon as the flour is incorporated.
• Incorrect oven temperature – A precise oven is a baker’s greatest ally. An inexpensive oven thermometer can confirm your oven’s true temperature, preventing an undercooked center or burnt crust.
• Skipping the cooling time – Slicing into a warm loaf is tempting, but it will cause it to crumble. Allowing the bread to cool completely lets the structure set, ensuring clean, beautiful slices.
• Using the wrong pan size – This recipe is designed for a 9×5-inch pan. Using a different size will alter the baking time and the final height and texture of the loaf.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

To preserve the sublime texture and flavor of your Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread, proper storage is essential.

• Short-term storage: Keep the loaf tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Refrigeration: For longer storage, you can refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to one week. Note that refrigeration can slightly dry out the bread; a quick warm-up in the microwave can revive it.
• Freezing: This bread freezes beautifully. Wrap the entire loaf (or individual slices) in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter.
• Make-ahead option: You can bake the bread a day in advance. Store it, unglazed, at room temperature. Prepare and add the glaze just before you plan to serve it for the freshest look and taste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread dairy-free or gluten-free?

For a dairy-free version, you can substitute the butter with a high-quality vegan butter and create a “vegan buttermilk” by mixing a plant-based milk (like almond or soy) with a tablespoon of lemon juice. For a gluten-free version, a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend containing xanthan gum should work well, though the texture might be slightly different.

My sprinkles all sank to the bottom of the loaf. How can I prevent this?

This is a common issue! To prevent sinking, toss your sprinkles with one tablespoon of the dry flour mixture before folding them into the batter. This light coating helps suspend them more evenly throughout the batter as it bakes, ensuring every slice of your delightful bread has a good distribution of festive color.

Conclusion

Crafting this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is more than just baking; it is about creating a moment of pure holiday bliss. Its simplicity is its strength, allowing the quality of the ingredients and the joy of the season to shine through. The tender crumb and festive appearance make this recipe an absolute must-try for any holiday gathering. I encourage you to bring this creation to life in your own kitchen. Try it out and share this delightful Buttermilk treat with your loved ones!

Contact Us

Contact us at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?