If you’re looking to add a little magic to your holiday baking, this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe is an absolute must-try. I absolutely love how this bread turns out – moist, tender, and bursting with festive sprinkles that won’t bleed or fade during baking. Whether it’s a cozy morning treat with coffee or a charming homemade gift, this recipe never disappoints. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll find yourself craving it well beyond the holiday season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive & Fun: The red and green sprinkles add a cheerful pop of color without any messy color bleeding.
- Moist & Tender: Thanks to buttermilk and careful mixing, the bread stays delightfully soft with every bite.
- Simple Ingredients: Easy to find pantry staples come together quickly with no complicated steps.
- Versatile & Giftable: Perfect for gifting wrapped in wax paper or turned into adorable muffins for parties.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe is all about balancing simple ingredients to create something that feels festive yet familiar. The buttermilk gives it a soft crumb, while the sprinkles bring joyful bursts without turning the bread into a messy rainbow. Here’s what you’ll want to gather — and a few tips on picking the best versions of each.
- All-purpose flour: Go for the plain stuff here; it gives structure without heaviness.
- Baking powder: This helps your bread rise nicely and stay fluffy.
- Baking soda: Works with buttermilk to tenderize and boost rise.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Melt it gently; this adds rich flavor and moisture.
- Granulated sugar: Regular sugar keeps it sweet but not overpowering.
- Eggs: They bind everything and add moisture—room temperature is best.
- Buttermilk: Key for moisture and a slight tang that complements the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: A little bit brightens all the flavors beautifully.
- Red and green sprinkles (jimmies style): Choose jimmies over nonpareils to avoid color bleeding during baking.
- Coarse sugar (optional): Adds a lovely crunch on top if you like a little extra texture.
Variations
One of the things I love most about this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe is how adaptable it is. You can customize it to suit your holiday vibe or dietary needs without losing that signature moist crumb and cheerful appearance. Here are some ideas based on what I’ve tried or heard from friends.
- Muffin Version: I’ve made these as muffins for a party favor; baking time drops to around 18-22 minutes, and they’re just as charming and moist.
- Gluten-Free: Replacing the flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend worked well for me once, though I recommend adding a little xanthan gum for best texture.
- Sprinkle Swap: Tried using only red or only green sprinkles when I wanted to match a specific theme—either way, still festive and fun!
- Flavor Boost: Sometimes I add a teaspoon of almond extract along with vanilla for a richer flavor profile.
How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. This step is crucial because you want your bread to come out clean and easy to slice later. If you use parchment, you can lift the loaf right out, which is neat for presentation or gift wrapping.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed, so your bread rises evenly without any sour or salty pockets.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk melted butter with granulated sugar until smooth and glossy. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time—this helps them incorporate well without curdling. Stir in vanilla extract and buttermilk last, creating a silky, rich base for your bread.
Step 4: Blend and Fold in Sprinkles
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Watch out here — overmixing is the enemy of tender crumb! The batter will be thick but soft. Next, gently fold in your red and green sprinkles, distributing them evenly without smashing them into the batter.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. If you like, sprinkle some coarse sugar or extra sprinkles on top for festive sparkle. Bake for 45-55 minutes, checking with a toothpick around 45 minutes. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe
- Use Jimmies, Not Nonpareils: I learned this the hard way — nonpareils melt and turn your bread into a color blotch; jimmies keep their shape and color much better.
- Don’t Overmix: A few lumps in your batter are totally okay; don’t overwork it or the bread gets tough.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: I always bring eggs and buttermilk to room temp for better mixing and fluffier results.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Check your bread early and often starting at 45 minutes since ovens vary; overbaking dries out this lovely loaf.
How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe

Garnishes
I love adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or some extra festive sprinkles right before serving — it’s simple, pretty, and adds a little extra holiday sparkle. If you’re feeling fancy, a thin spread of butter or cream cheese complements the soft sweetness perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pairing this bread with a warm cup of spiced cider or a frothy latte makes my mornings feel extra cozy. At brunch, it goes wonderfully alongside scrambled eggs, fresh fruit salad, or even a creamy yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a gift, I wrap the cooled loaf in wax paper tied with twine and add a little holiday ornament or pine sprig—makes a charming handmade present. I’ve also sliced it thin and served it on a festive platter with small bowls of flavored butter and jams for holiday parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread has completely cooled, I recommend wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container to keep it soft. It stays fresh at room temperature for about 2-3 days, but honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house!
Freezing
If you want to make it ahead or save some for later, this bread freezes beautifully. I slice it first and layer parchment paper between slices in a freezer-safe bag. That way, you can thaw just what you need without defrosting the whole loaf.
Reheating
When I reheat slices, I pop them in the toaster oven for a few minutes or warm them gently in the microwave with a damp paper towel to keep things moist. It’s like fresh-baked warmth all over again.
FAQs
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Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk in this recipe?
You can substitute regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic buttermilk’s tang, but the bread might not be quite as tender or flavorful. The acidity in buttermilk reacts with baking soda for that perfect rise.
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Why avoid nonpareil sprinkles in this bread?
Nonpareils tend to bleed their colors into the batter during baking, turning your bread into a less attractive mush of colors. Jimmies-style sprinkles keep their shape and color, making your Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread look festive and neat.
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How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
Insert a toothpick into the center after about 45 minutes; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Don’t wait too long, as overbaking can dry out the bread.
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Can I make this bread ahead of time for holiday guests?
Absolutely! You can bake it a day or two in advance, then store it in an airtight container. If you want to prepare even earlier, freezing slices works great too—just thaw and warm before serving.
Final Thoughts
When I first tried this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe, I was blown away by how easy it was to mix up and how perfectly festive it looked without any fuss. My family goes crazy for that tender crumb and delightful sprinkle pops — it’s a simple way to bring holiday cheer into the kitchen any time of day. I hope you give this recipe a try and find it as comforting and fun as I do. Happy baking and happy holidays!
Print
Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a festive and moist holiday favorite, bursting with colorful red and green sprinkles throughout its tender crumb. This quick bread combines classic buttermilk richness with a sweet vanilla flavor, perfect for celebrating the season with a fun and cheerful treat.
Ingredients
Main 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
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and salt for balanced rising and flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition to incorporate air and achieve a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract and then the buttermilk for richness and moisture.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent the bread from becoming tough.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Carefully fold in the red and green jimmies-style sprinkles to add festive color without bleeding. Mix gently to keep the batter tender and prevent color from spreading.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle the top with coarse sugar and extra sprinkles for a decorative, crunchy finish.
- Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates the bread is fully cooked and moist.
- Cool the Bread: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes to set. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to maintain the bread’s texture and shape.
Notes
- Use jimmies-style sprinkles instead of nonpareils to prevent the colors from bleeding into the batter.
- Do not overmix the batter as this can make the bread dense and tough; fold in ingredients gently.
- Wrap the completely cooled loaf in wax paper and tie with twine for a charming, gift-ready presentation during the holidays.
- This recipe can be adapted to make muffins—bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18 to 22 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8 of loaf)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg

