A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite Recipe

If you’re searching for A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite to bring a sprinkle of joy to your seasonal gatherings, this Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is an absolute must-try. Imagine a tender, moist loaf bursting with sweet, colorful sprinkles that add both charm and a delightful texture to every bite. It’s not just a bread; it’s a celebration captured in a slice—perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying with a cozy cup of tea during those magical holiday moments.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe relies on simple, everyday ingredients that team up beautifully to create a rich texture, tender crumb, and festive flair. Each component plays a crucial role—from the tangy buttermilk that keeps the bread moist to the red and green sprinkles that bring that unmistakable holiday cheer.

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g): The backbone of the bread providing structure and a soft crumb.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the bread rise for a light and airy texture.
• ½ teaspoon baking soda: Works with the buttermilk to enhance the bread’s tenderness.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor depth.
• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled): Adds richness and a buttery softness.
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200g): Sweetens the bread perfectly without overpowering the sprinkles.
• 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the bread’s moist interior.
• 1 cup buttermilk (240ml): Infuses moisture and a subtle tang that complements the sweet elements.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Introduces a warm, sweet aroma and enhances overall flavor.
• ½ cup red and green sprinkles: The star of the show for that festive, colorful pop—choose jimmies style to avoid sinking and color bleeding.
• Optional topping: 1 tablespoon coarse sugar and extra sprinkles: For adding a sparkling finish and extra holiday flair.

How to Make A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite

Step 1: Preparing Your Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that once your batter is ready, the baking environment is just right for even rising. Line or lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking, setting the stage for that perfect loaf.

Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Getting these combined well early on helps your bread rise uniformly and develop a flawless crumb texture.

Step 3: Blending Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. The creamy blend ensures your bread will be tender. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition to incorporate air and build structure. Then stir in the warm vanilla extract and tangy buttermilk, layering in flavors and moisture.

Step 4: Bringing It All Together

Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients—be careful not to overmix here. Overworking the batter can make your bread dense, but a gentle fold keeps it light and airy. The batter should be smooth, yet slightly thick.

Step 5: The Sprinkles Touch

Gently fold in your red and green sprinkles, which introduce charm and delicious bursts of sweetness. Using jimmies style sprinkles prevents them from bleeding color into the batter and keeps your bread looking cheerful.

Step 6: Baking Your Festive Bread

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle with coarse sugar and extra sprinkles if you want that extra sparkle and crunch on top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow your bread to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite

Garnishes

A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of vanilla glaze can elevate this loaf’s festive look and add that extra layer of indulgence. Extra sprinkles on the glaze create an irresistible finish that’s both inviting and merry.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with creamy butter, tangy cream cheese spreads, or even a dollop of whipped honey butter. It’s also excellent alongside a hot cup of spiced cider or your favorite holiday tea for a heartwarming treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice this bread thickly and arrange it on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh cranberries, pine sprigs, and cinnamon sticks for a beautiful centerpiece. You could also cut it into smaller squares and serve it as festive finger food for holiday parties—guaranteed to spark conversation and smile-inducing bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This festive bread keeps beautifully at room temperature, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This short storage window means every slice stays moist and fresh, just like the day it came out of the oven.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy this A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite later, freeze it to preserve that moist texture. Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely at room temperature before slicing.

Reheating

Lightly toast slices in a toaster oven or warm in a microwave for about 15 seconds to restore that freshly baked warmth without drying out the crumb. The sprinkles retain their festive charm, making every bite just as delightful as the first.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Substituting regular milk won’t provide the same tender crumb and slight tang that buttermilk offers. However, you can mimic buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Are the sprinkles crucial to the recipe? Can I leave them out?

The sprinkles truly make this bread A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite by adding bursts of color and texture. While you can omit them, doing so will result in a simpler bread without that characteristic holiday pop.

What type of sprinkles should I use?

Jimmies-style sprinkles are the best choice here because they hold their shape and color during baking. Avoid nonpareils or sugar pearls as they tend to bleed color and alter the bread’s texture.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! You can replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Make sure your blend includes xanthan gum or another binder for the best texture, and keep an eye on baking time as it may vary slightly.

How can I make this bread extra moist?

The buttermilk and melted butter already work wonderfully to keep this bread moist, but for an extra touch, you could brush the crust with simple syrup right after baking. This also adds a delicate shine.

A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite: Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread truly embodies what makes holiday baking magical—a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and bright festive spirit all rolled into one loaf. It’s a joy to make, an even greater joy to share, and a delightful treat to enjoy yourself. Give this recipe a try this season and make your celebrations even sweeter with a truly A Festive and Moist Holiday Favorite you’ll want to bake again and again.

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