If you are searching for a holiday treat that brings joy, color, and incredible moisture all in one slice, then the Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread – Moist & Festive Holiday Recipe is exactly what you need. This delightful bread combines the tender crumb and tangy richness of buttermilk with playful bursts of colorful sprinkles that make every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings or just want to infuse your kitchen with festive cheer, this recipe is an absolute winner that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, everyday ingredients is the first step to creating the perfect Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread – Moist & Festive Holiday Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role, delivering flavor, texture, and that unmistakable holiday spirit.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for a tender yet structured bread crumb that holds the sprinkles beautifully.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds necessary sweetness and helps with the bread’s moist texture.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Together they provide just the right rise, making the bread light and fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors for a well-balanced taste.
- Large Eggs: Bind everything and add richness, contributing to the soft crumb.
- Buttermilk: Gives the bread its characteristic tang and keeps it incredibly moist.
- Melted Unsalted Butter or Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and rich flavor for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth to the overall flavor profile.
- Christmas Sprinkles: The star of the show, these vibrant sprinkles add visual delight and festive fun to every slice.
- Optional Spices and Flavorings: Cinnamon, nutmeg, orange zest, and non-alcoholic rum or brandy extract add extra holiday flair if you want to boost the seasonal vibes.
How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread – Moist & Festive Holiday Recipe
Step 1: Preparing Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. This step ensures your bread releases easily once baked and keeps those festive sprinkles intact.
Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. If you’re adding any optional spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, now is the moment to fold them in. These dry ingredients combine to create the perfect base for your bread’s texture and flavor.
Step 3: Combining the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter or vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and homogenous. These wet ingredients lend the bread its moistness and richness, essential for that tender crumb everyone loves.
Step 4: Bringing it All Together
Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Stir gently, just until combined. Avoid overmixing here – you want the bread tender and soft, not tough or dense. The key is to combine everything until you no longer see dry flour but keep the batter light.
Step 5: Folding in the Christmas Sprinkles
Gently fold in about two-thirds of your Christmas sprinkles. This will disperse those festive bursts throughout the bread, making every slice a colorful surprise. Be gentle so the sprinkles don’t bleed their color too much into the batter.
Step 6: Baking to Perfection
Pour the batter into your loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining sprinkles over the top for that extra touch of holiday sparkle. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, testing doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Remember, the magic of the Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread – Moist & Festive Holiday Recipe is how tender and colorful it turns out!
Step 7: Cooling and Unmolding
Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, carefully lift it out using parchment paper overhangs and let it cool completely on the rack before slicing. This final step ensures clean slices and keeps your sprinkles in place, making for that picture-perfect presentation.
How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread – Moist & Festive Holiday Recipe
Garnishes
This bread is stunning on its own, but you can add a light dusting of powdered sugar or a thin spread of butter to enhance its flavor. For extra holiday sparkle, lightly drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over the top and add a few extra sprinkles for good measure.
Side Dishes
Pair slices of this moist bread with warm mugs of hot chocolate, spiced cider, or a rich cup of coffee for a cozy holiday treat. It also complements creamy cheeses or fresh fruit for a balanced breakfast or snack table during your festive celebrations.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the bread and stack it to create a colorful sandwich tower, or cube it for festive bread pudding or French toast. Gift wrapped slices make charming homemade presents, perfect for sharing holiday cheer with friends and neighbors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread – Moist & Festive Holiday Recipe will keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, staying soft and flavorful. Wrapping it tightly keeps the festive sprinkles intact and the bread moist.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. It will last up to three months in the freezer without losing its delightful moistness. Slice before freezing for easier portioning later.
Reheating
To enjoy the bread warm, simply thaw at room temperature and then heat slices in a toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds. This revives that fresh-baked softness and enhances the buttermilk richness, ensuring every bite tastes like it just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Regular milk can be used, but adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to it will mimic the acidity of buttermilk, helping the bread stay moist and tender. However, nothing quite matches the flavor buttermilk brings to this recipe.
What if I don’t have Christmas sprinkles? Can I use other colors?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any colorful sprinkles or even mini chocolate chips. The festive sprinkles add charm and a pop of whimsy, but the bread will taste delightful regardless.
Can I make this bread gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. The texture will be slightly different, but the bread will still be moist and festive.
Is this bread suitable for gifting?
Definitely! Wrapped beautifully, the Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is an eye-catching and delicious gift that will brighten anyone’s holiday season.
Can the optional spices and orange zest be omitted?
Yes, these add a special holiday depth but are not necessary. The bread’s moistness and sweetness shine through wonderfully without them, keeping the recipe simple and versatile.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread – Moist & Festive Holiday Recipe. It’s a joyful combination of moist texture, vibrant sprinkles, and just a little extra holiday magic baked right in. If you want to treat your family or guests to a festive delight that tastes as good as it looks, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your holiday baking rotation. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be reaching for it year after year!
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Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread – Moist & Festive Holiday Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices)
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a moist, festive holiday treat perfect for adding a splash of color and sweetness to your holiday table. Soft and tender with the delightful crunch of colorful sprinkles baked right into the batter, this bread blends classic buttermilk richness with a cheerful holiday twist. Infused with optional warm spices and a hint of vanilla, it’s an easy-to-make loaf that brightens any Christmas celebration.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1/2 cup Melted Unsalted Butter or Vegetable Oil
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Christmas Sprinkles
Optional Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- Zest from 1 Orange
- 1/4 teaspoon Non-alcoholic Rum or Brandy Extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. If you choose to use the optional spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, add them now, along with orange zest and rum/brandy extract if using, and whisk thoroughly to combine.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the room temperature eggs, buttermilk, melted butter (or vegetable oil), and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Mix Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently and mix until just combined, taking care not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
- Add Sprinkles: Fold about two-thirds of the Christmas sprinkles into the batter gently, ensuring even distribution without breaking down the sprinkles.
- Fill Pan and Top: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface gently. Sprinkle the remaining one-third of the Christmas sprinkles evenly on top for a colorful, festive finish.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in Pan: Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes to set.
- Remove and Cool Completely: Using the parchment paper overhangs, carefully lift the bread out of the pan and transfer it to the wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense loaf; mix just until ingredients are combined.
- If using parchment paper, ensure it overhangs the pan edges for easier removal.
- For best results, allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to maintain its shape.
- You can substitute vegetable oil for melted butter for a dairy-free option, although butter adds more flavor.
- Store leftover bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Sprinkles may bleed color slightly during baking; use high-quality, baking-safe sprinkles for best appearance.
