Festive Buttermilk Sprinkle Bread Recipe

If you’re looking for a sweet, colorful, and irresistibly moist treat to brighten up your holiday spread, you’ve got to try my Festive Buttermilk Sprinkle Bread Recipe. This delightful bread is like a celebration in every bite, with vibrant red and green sprinkles peeking through the tender crumb. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll understand why it’s become a beloved holiday tradition in my kitchen.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Festive Buttermilk Sprinkle Bread Recipe lies not just in the colorful sprinkles but also in the careful balance of ingredients that keep the bread moist, tender, and perfectly sweet. Let’s go through why each one works so well and how you can shop smart for them.

• All-purpose flour: The base for the bread, providing structure without any heaviness.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These together give a nice lift and light crumb—don’t skip either!
• Salt: Just a pinch to enhance flavors and balance the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter: Melted and slightly cooled to keep the bread moist and tender without greasiness.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the tender crumb.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
• Buttermilk: This is the secret to moistness and slight tanginess that makes the bread irresistible.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor for that cozy, home-baked smell.
• Red and green sprinkles: Use jimmies style, not nonpareils, to avoid bleeding colors into the batter.
• Optional coarse sugar for topping: Adds a little sparkle and sweet crunch on top, plus extra sprinkles for festivity.

Variations

I love how flexible this Festive Buttermilk Sprinkle Bread Recipe is! Over the years, I’ve played with it to suit different tastes and occasions, and I encourage you to make it your own.

• Gluten-Free Variation: I once swapped the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend—just be sure it contains xanthan gum to keep the bread from crumbling.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut oil instead of butter, and substitute buttermilk with almond milk plus a splash of lemon juice for that tangy effect.
• Muffin Form: I’ve baked this recipe into festive muffins before, perfect for portion control and quicker baking—just watch the timing (about 18–22 minutes).
• Sprinkle Mix-Ins: Beyond red and green, try crushed peppermint candies for an extra holiday twist that my family goes crazy for.

How to Make Festive Buttermilk Sprinkle Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Dry Ingredients

Start off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing or lining a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This step is key for easy removal later, plus you’ll get nice, clean edges. Meanwhile, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. I like to sift them together to avoid lumps and to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until combined and smooth — it might seem simple, but this creates a lovely base for the bread. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time to really incorporate them, followed by the vanilla extract and buttermilk. You’ll notice the batter looks rich and velvety here, which I always find so satisfying.

Step 3: Combine and Fold in Sprinkles

Gradually add your dry ingredients into the wet bowl and gently stir just until everything is barely combined—you want to avoid overmixing to keep that light, tender texture. Now, here’s where the fun happens: carefully fold in the red and green jimmies-style sprinkles. Be gentle so you don’t break them or cause color bleeding into the batter.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Pour that beautiful batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. If you want, sprinkle some coarse sugar and a few extra sprinkles on top for sparkle. Bake for 45–55 minutes, giving it the toothpick test after 45 to check for doneness (looking for a clean or just a few moist crumbs). Let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time lets the bread set perfectly without crumbling.

How to Serve Festive Buttermilk Sprinkle Bread Recipe

Garnishes

When it comes to garnishes, I keep it simple but festive—sprinkling a few extra colorful jimmies right on top before serving adds that extra wow factor. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar gives a snowy look that’s especially charming during the holidays.

Side Dishes

This bread is sweet and festive enough to shine on its own, but I often serve it with a cup of hot cocoa or a steaming mug of spicy chai tea. If you’re hosting brunch, pair it with creamy whipped butter and seasonal fruit salad to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting or parties, I like to wrap the loaf in wax paper tied with rustic twine and a sprig of fresh rosemary or holly—nothing fancy, but it looks so warm and inviting. Another idea I tried was slicing the bread and arranging the pieces in a festive bread basket lined with a holiday-themed napkin. It instantly becomes a centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It holds its moisture for up to 3 days, which is awesome because you can enjoy it fresh without any rush.

Freezing

I’ve frozen slices of this bread successfully by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. When you want a slice, just thaw at room temperature or pop it briefly in the toaster oven. It maintains that fresh-baked flavor and texture beautifully.

Reheating

To reheat, I usually warm a slice in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or toast it lightly in a toaster oven. This revives the moistness and gives a slight crisp to the edges which is so comforting.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Festive Buttermilk Sprinkle Bread Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to bake as the holidays roll around. It’s sweet but not too sweet, colorful without being overwhelming, and moist in a way that keeps everyone asking for just one more slice. I genuinely hope you give it a try—it’s like bringing a little holiday magic to your kitchen, and I can’t wait for it to become your family’s new tradition too!

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