If the holidays had a flavor, I’m convinced it would taste exactly like this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread — buttery, tender, and bursting with cheerful red and green sprinkles that make every slice feel like a celebration. Whether you’re baking for a cozy family breakfast, a Christmas brunch, or simply to fill your kitchen with that sweet holiday aroma, this quick bread is pure joy in loaf form.
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Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
Looking for a recipe that practically radiates Christmas cheer? Here’s why this festive loaf will earn a permanent spot in your holiday lineup:
- Effortless to make: No mixers, no complicated steps — just simple ingredients and easy mixing. Even on your busiest December day, you’ve got this.
- Festive and beautiful: Those red and green sprinkles transform an ordinary loaf into a showstopper worthy of your holiday table.
- Soft, buttery texture: Thanks to the magic of buttermilk, every bite is moist, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth good.
- Kid-approved and crowd-pleasing: Whether it’s for a family breakfast, a bake sale, or a neighborly gift, everyone loves a slice of this cheerful bread.
- Perfect make-ahead treat: It stays fresh for days and freezes beautifully — a lifesaver for last-minute holiday gatherings.
It’s everything you want in a holiday bake: easy, festive, and absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 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
- Extra sprinkles for garnish
How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
Step 1: Preheat and prep the pan
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to make sure your bread slides out beautifully after baking.
Step 2: Combine the dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. These are your structure builders, so give them a good mix.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth and glossy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Stir in the vanilla and buttermilk. The mixture will smell amazing already.
Step 4: Combine wet and dry
Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t overmix — a few lumps are fine and will keep your bread tender.
Step 5: Fold in the sprinkles
Gently fold in the red and green sprinkles. A light hand here is key so the colors don’t bleed. You want those bright little pops to stay festive!
Step 6: Pour and bake
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top. Sprinkle coarse sugar or extra sprinkles for a little extra sparkle. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Start checking around the 40-minute mark — every oven has its personality.
Step 7: Cool and serve
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice it up and enjoy! Each piece is buttery, soft, and loaded with festive cheer.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
- Use jimmies-style sprinkles only. Nonpareils tend to melt into the batter and create odd streaks of color.
- Don’t skip the buttermilk. It’s the secret to that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you’re out, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes as a quick substitute.
- Add-ins welcome! A handful of white chocolate chips or chopped cranberries take this loaf from delightful to unforgettable.
- For gifting: Wrap cooled slices in parchment, tie them with a red ribbon, and deliver a little homemade happiness.
A Little Holiday Story
This recipe was born one December afternoon when I was staring down a long list of holiday tasks — gifts to wrap, cookies to bake, cards to sign. I wanted something festive to share with neighbors but didn’t have the energy for a complicated dessert. So, I tossed some sprinkles into my favorite buttermilk loaf recipe, and magic happened. My kitchen smelled like Christmas morning, and suddenly, the chaos felt a little cozier.
FAQs About Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! This bread stays moist for up to 3 days at room temperature or 5 days in the fridge. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
Can I freeze it?
Yes! Slice it first, wrap each piece in parchment, and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds when that sweet craving hits.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
You can swap up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat, but the texture will be slightly denser.
What’s the best way to serve it?
I love it with a little butter or cream cheese on a chilly morning, but it’s also delicious just as it is. It’s sweet enough to double as dessert!
Bring the Holiday Cheer Home
This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is more than a quick bread — it’s a slice of holiday happiness. With its tender crumb, buttery flavor, and those joyful bursts of color, it’s a guaranteed hit for breakfast tables, bake sales, or gift baskets. Bake it once, and you’ll find yourself coming back to it every Christmas season. After all, who can resist a loaf that practically tastes like Christmas cheer?
More Festive Recipes You’ll Love
Keep your oven warm and your holiday spirit high with these delicious, cozy recipes that pair perfectly with a slice of Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread:
- Try the savory and comforting Thanksgiving Stuffing — a must-have for every holiday spread.
- Balance sweet with savory by serving Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast for a beautifully festive dinner.
- Add some festive crunch to your appetizer table with Pumpkin Cheese Ball — the perfect starter for any holiday gathering.
- End your meal on a sweet note with Pumpkin Pie Tacos — a fun and creative dessert twist everyone will talk about.
Each of these recipes brings a touch of holiday magic to your table and makes your festive season even mo
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Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 loaf (8 servings) 1x
Description
This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a soft, buttery, and festive quick bread filled with red and green sprinkles. It’s the perfect holiday bake for breakfast, gifting, or cozy family gatherings — simple to make, beautiful to serve, and full of Christmas cheer!
Ingredients
Yields 1 standard loaf (approx. 8 servings):
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
Extra sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract and buttermilk.
Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
Add sprinkles: Gently fold in red and green sprinkles, being careful not to overmix so the colors don’t bleed.
Bake: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Top with coarse sugar or extra sprinkles. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve: Let cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slice once completely cooled.
Notes
Use jimmies-style sprinkles to keep colors bright and prevent bleeding.
To make your own buttermilk substitute, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes.
This bread freezes well for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Add-ins like white chocolate chips or cranberries make a fun twist!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Oven-baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 loaf)
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg