Looking for the perfect festive treat to brighten up your holiday season? This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread recipe is exactly what you need! Imagine a wonderfully moist, tender loaf, bursting with vibrant Christmas sprinkles, and infused with the subtle tang of buttermilk. It’s a delightful sweet bread that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. Easy to make and incredibly satisfying, this bread is destined to become a new holiday tradition, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a festive dessert.
Key Ingredients for Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
To create this delightful Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread, gather the following ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor.
- 2 ½ cups (300g) All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour provides the structure for our bread.
- ½ cup (100g) Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bread without making it overly rich.
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder: The primary leavening agent that helps the bread rise.
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda: Works with the buttermilk to provide extra lift and tenderness.
- ½ teaspoon Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- 1 cup (240ml) Buttermilk: The star ingredient, adding moisture, tenderness, and a slight tang.
- ½ cup (113g) Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled: Adds richness and moisture to the bread.
- 2 large Eggs: Contributes to the bread’s structure, richness, and moisture.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- ½ cup (100g) Christmas Sprinkles: The festive touch! Use a high-quality mix that won’t bleed too much when baked.
- Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup (120g) Powdered Sugar: For a simple, sweet glaze.
- 2-3 tablespoons Milk (or Buttermilk): To thin the glaze to the desired consistency.
- ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract: For added flavor in the glaze.
- Extra Christmas Sprinkles: For decorating the glazed bread.
How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is incredibly easy to make, delivering a delicious, satisfying sweet bread with minimal fuss. Its simplicity lies in its straightforward mixing method, ensuring a wonderfully tender texture and perfectly balanced sweetness every time. With a preparation time of just 15 minutes and a baking time of 50-60 minutes, you’ll have a festive, delightful loaf ready to enjoy in just over an hour.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these clear, actionable steps to create your own magnificent Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread.
- Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a standard 9×5 inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy removal. This step ensures your bread won’t stick and comes out easily.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps and the ingredients are well distributed. This even distribution helps the bread rise consistently.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted and cooled unsalted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula or wooden spoon just until barely combined. Be careful not to overmix, as overmixing can lead to a tough bread. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the Christmas sprinkles. Mix only until the sprinkles are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Again, avoid overmixing to prevent the sprinkles from bleeding their color too much into the batter.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread evenly with your spatula.
- Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before carefully removing it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from steaming itself and becoming soggy.
- Prepare Optional Glaze (if using): While the bread cools, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or buttermilk), and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust milk as needed to reach desired drizzling consistency.
- Glaze and Decorate: Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Immediately sprinkle with extra Christmas sprinkles before the glaze sets.
- Serve: Slice and serve your beautiful Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
You are going to fall head over heels for this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread for so many reasons! The main highlight is undoubtedly its incredibly tender, moist crumb, thanks to the magic of buttermilk, which reacts with the baking soda to create a light and airy texture. This isn’t just a treat for your taste buds; it’s also a fantastic cost-saver. Making it at home is far more economical than buying specialty holiday breads, and you control the quality of every ingredient.
Plus, the vibrant explosion of festive Christmas sprinkles throughout and often on top with a simple vanilla glaze makes it utterly irresistible and beautiful. The delightful sweetness pairs perfectly with a morning coffee or an afternoon tea, much like a classic tea cake but with a holiday twist. Try it once, and you’ll want to explore more of our easy sweet bread recipes!
What to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread With
This delightful Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways.
- Hot Beverages: It’s absolutely perfect alongside a steaming mug of coffee, hot cocoa, or a festive cup of spiced tea.
- Fruit Salad: A light and fresh fruit salad can cut through the sweetness and add a healthy balance.
- Yogurt or Greek Yogurt: A dollop of plain or vanilla yogurt makes a lovely contrast in texture and taste, especially for breakfast or brunch.
- Whipped Cream or Ice Cream: For a more decadent dessert, serve a slice slightly warmed with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- Plain (It’s that good!): Honestly, this bread is so flavorful and moist on its own that it needs no accompaniment.
Top Tips for Perfecting Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
Achieving a perfect Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is easy with these valuable tips.
- Don’t Overmix: This is crucial for a tender crumb. Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dense bread. Lumps are okay!
- Buttermilk Substitutes: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own! Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way with regular milk (any fat percentage) until it reaches 1 cup. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles, then use as directed.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps them combine more easily and evenly with the other ingredients, resulting in a smoother batter and a better-textured bread.
- Quality Sprinkles Matter: For the best visual appeal, use high-quality Christmas sprinkles that are designed for baking. Cheaper sprinkles can sometimes bleed their color excessively into the batter, especially if overmixed. “Jimmie” style sprinkles or nonpareils tend to hold their color well.
- Cool Butter: When melting butter, make sure it’s cooled to room temperature before adding it to the wet ingredients. Hot butter can start to cook the eggs if added directly.
- Test for Doneness Properly: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the very center of the loaf. If it comes out clean (no wet batter), your bread is done. If it’s still wet, continue baking for 5-minute intervals.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: If you’re adding the optional glaze, make sure the bread is completely cool. Glazing warm bread will cause the glaze to melt and run off, creating a messy rather than a decorative finish.
Storing and Reheating Tips
To keep your Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread fresh and delicious, proper storage is key.
- Storing at Room Temperature: Once the bread has completely cooled (and the glaze has set, if applicable), store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Placing a piece of paper towel in the container can help absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess.
- Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary, if you live in a very warm climate or want to extend its freshness, you can refrigerate the bread. Store it in an airtight container. It will last for up to a week in the refrigerator, though the texture might become slightly drier. Bring it to room temperature before serving for the best taste.
- Freezing for Later: This bread freezes beautifully! Once completely cooled, wrap the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then again with aluminum foil. For individual slices, wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating (Whole Loaf): To reheat a frozen loaf, unwrap it and let it thaw at room temperature overnight. You can then warm it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Reheating (Slices): Individual slices can be thawed at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or gently warmed in a toaster oven or microwave for 10-20 seconds. Avoid overheating in the microwave, as it can make the bread tough.
Final Thoughts: Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration in a loaf. Its vibrant colors and tender crumb make it a perfect addition to any holiday table, guaranteed to bring smiles and festive cheer. Whether you’re baking it for a special holiday breakfast, a delightful dessert, or a charming homemade gift, its simplicity and deliciousness will win everyone over. So, tie on your apron, gather your sprinkles, and get ready to bake some holiday magic!
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- Medium
Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread FAQs
Q: Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
A: While buttermilk provides a unique tang and tenderness due to its acidity reacting with baking soda, you can create a substitute. Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then fill the rest with regular milk to make 1 cup. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles before using.
Q: My sprinkles bled into the batter, what went wrong?
A: This usually happens if the batter is overmixed after the sprinkles are added, or if using lower-quality sprinkles that are more prone to bleeding. Ensure you fold them in gently and only until just combined. Using baking-specific “jimmie” style sprinkles or nonpareils can also help.
Q: Can I add other mix-ins to this bread?
A: Absolutely! While the sprinkles are key for the Christmas theme, you could experiment with a small amount of white chocolate chips, a touch of citrus zest (orange or lemon), or finely chopped nuts. Just be mindful not to add too many wet ingredients, or it could alter the bread’s texture.
Q: How do I know if my bread is fully cooked?
A: The best way is to insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the very center of the loaf. If it comes out clean with no wet batter attached, the bread is done. If it has wet batter, continue baking in 5-minute intervals until it tests clean.
Q: Can I make this bread ahead of time for a holiday gathering?
A: Yes! This bread is excellent for making ahead. You can bake it up to 2-3 days in advance and store it at room temperature, or freeze it for up to 2-3 months as detailed in the “Storing and Reheating Tips” section. Just make sure it’s completely cooled before storing.