Christmas Sprinkle Bread: Festive Holiday Joy in Every Bite

There's something undeniably joyful about a slice of bread speckled with colorful sprinkles, and this Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe brings that festive happiness right into your kitchen. It’s soft, buttery, and dotted with those bright little bursts of color that instantly lift your spirits during the holidays.

A white rectangular plate holds a sliced cake with three large slices arranged in a slightly overlapping way. The cake has a light beige color filled with red and green specks inside. It is covered with a smooth white frosting on top and sides, decorated with red, green, and white thin and round sprinkles. The plate sits on a red cloth, with a clear glass jug of milk next to it, partially visible with a green and white striped straw. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Every holiday season, I find myself craving something sweet and nostalgic that’s easy to share—and this Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe fits the bill perfectly. It’s not just a treat; it’s a celebration in loaf form, complete with a creamy icing and festive sprinkles that never fail to bring smiles.

Festive and colorful: The sprinkles add brightness and fun without needing complicated decorating skills.
Soft, moist texture: Thanks to the sour cream and butter, this bread stays tender and rich.
Simple ingredients: Most likely, you already have everything in your pantry, so it’s ultra-convenient.
Versatile to serve: It’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or a sweet addition to your holiday table.

This image shows one large rectangular cake on a white ceramic serving board with a handle on the left side. The cake has one thick bottom layer of light brown color covered with a smooth layer of white frosting spread evenly on top. The frosting is decorated with small, round, and stick-shaped sprinkles in red, green, and a few white colors scattered all over its surface. The board and cake are placed on a white marbled surface with a bright red cloth underneath. To the right of the cake, there is a tall glass bottle filled with white milk tied with a thin string around its neck. Two colorful paper straws, one green and white striped and the other red and white striped, lie diagonally near the cake. A few sprinkles are also scattered loosely on the surface around the cake photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This bread uses classic, reliable ingredients that combine for a moist texture and a festive look. Each one plays an important role—from the tangy sour cream to the gentle warmth of cinnamon, and of course, the sprinkles that make this bread extra special.

Flat lay of a small mound of unsalted butter, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, three whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of sour cream, a small white bowl of whole milk, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing baking powder, another small white bowl with baking soda, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl holding colorful Christmas sprinkles, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl with heavy cream, and a small white bowl with vanilla extract—all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture; be sure it’s softened to cream perfectly with sugar.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread just right without overpowering.
Vanilla extract: Gives warmth and depth to the flavor.
Eggs: Provide structure and tenderness.
Sour cream: Keeps the bread moist and adds a light tang.
Whole milk: Loosens the batter just enough for softness.
All-purpose flour: The backbone for texture, make sure it’s fresh for best rise.
Baking powder and baking soda: Work together to give the bread a nice lift and light crumb.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Ground cinnamon: Adds a touch of warm spice perfect for holiday vibes.
Christmas sprinkles: Use good-quality sprinkles to avoid bleeding colors into your batter.
Powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla (for icing): Create that glossy, sweet glaze that finishes the bread beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to switch up the sprinkles sometimes—using mini chocolate chips or even chopped nuts for added crunch. Don’t hesitate to tailor the bread to your taste or what you have on hand; it’s forgiving and flexible enough to handle a few tweaks.

Variation: I once swapped out the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice one December, and it brought a cozy autumn twist that everyone loved.
Dairy-free option: You can replace sour cream and milk with non-dairy alternatives, just keep the batter consistency similar.
Sprinkle themes: For occasions other than Christmas, pick sprinkles that match the event’s colors to keep this recipe fun year-round.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar until Fluffy

This is where the magic starts. I like to use a hand mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar together for about 3–4 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This helps the bread have a tender crumb, so don’t rush it or skip this step.

Step 2: Add Eggs, Vanilla, Sour Cream & Milk

One at a time, add the eggs and vanilla, mixing just until combined. Then stir in the sour cream and milk. I usually pause my mixer to scrape down the sides so everything blends evenly—this little step makes a big difference in texture.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

While the wet ingredients rest for a moment, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. This ensures your leavening is evenly distributed and that cinnamon gets mixed through without clumps.

Step 4: Gently Fold Everything Together with Sprinkles

Mix your dry ingredients into the wet, stopping as soon as you see no flour streaks. Be gentle here to avoid a tough bread. Then fold in your sprinkles carefully, making sure not to overmix—too much stirring can cause the colors to bleed into the batter.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 60–70 minutes. I start checking with a toothpick after about 60 minutes. If this starts to brown too fast, tent the top loosely with foil to prevent burning. Once done, cool in the pan five minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 6: Whisk Icing and Top Your Bread

Mix powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Spread this glaze over the cooled loaf, smoothing it out for that perfect finish. Before it sets, sprinkle extra Christmas sprinkles on top for that final festive pop!

Top Tip

When I first made this Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe, I learned that folding in the sprinkles gently is key. Otherwise, your batter can turn a muddy pastel color — which means the fun, bright look gets lost.

Softened Butter Matters: Make sure your butter is room temperature before creaming for that light batter texture.
Don’t Overmix: Stir just enough to blend ingredients to avoid dense or rubbery bread.
Foil Tenting: If your top browns too fast, place foil loosely in the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent burning.
Cool Completely Before Icing: Adding glaze while warm can make it melt away, so patience pays off.

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe

Christmas sprinkle bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a dusting of extra sprinkles on top, but sometimes I'll add a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a few fresh cranberries around the slices for a festive touch that's easy to do and looks wonderful.

Side Dishes

Serve this bread alongside a cup of spiced tea or hot cocoa for a cozy holiday morning. It also pairs nicely with a cheese board or alongside breakfast casseroles if you’re hosting brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I wrapped slices individually in clear cellophane tied with festive ribbon to hand out as sweet gifts. Another idea is to stack thick slices on a pretty platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine for a rustic-chic holiday vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap leftover bread tightly with plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps it soft and prevents it from drying out, especially if it’s iced.

Freezing

To freeze, slice the bread first and wrap individual slices in parchment paper, then place them in an airtight bag. That way, you can grab just what you need and it defrosts quickly.

Reheating

Reheat slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave for about 15 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked warmth without melting the icing too much. It tastes almost as good as right out of the oven!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different sprinkles for this recipe?

Absolutely! While I recommend using high-quality, non-melting sprinkles to keep colors vibrant, you can customize with any sprinkle style to match your occasion or taste preferences.

What if my bread is browning too fast in the oven?

If the top is getting too dark before the inside is cooked, tent the loaf with aluminum foil loosely. This step helps the bread bake evenly without burning the top.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Replace the butter with a dairy-free margarine and swap sour cream and milk for plant-based alternatives like coconut yogurt and almond milk. The texture will remain tender with these substitutions.

How long does this bread stay fresh?

When stored wrapped tightly at room temperature, this bread stays fresh and soft for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe has become one of my holiday go-tos because it’s so cheerful and comforting at the same time. Whether you slice it up for a casual snack or bring it to a gathering, it never fails to bring smiles and festive cheer. I can’t recommend giving this recipe a try enough—trust me, you’ll find yourself reaching for it every season once you see how easy and delicious it is!