Description
Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a festive and moist holiday favorite perfect for brightening your holiday table. This buttery, tender loaf is speckled with colorful red and green jimmies sprinkles, adding a cheerful touch without the color bleed of nonpareils. Lightly sweet and flavored with vanilla and buttermilk, it bakes into a soft textured bread that pairs beautifully with morning coffee or as a holiday dessert. It’s easy to prepare and adaptable, even as muffins for gift-giving or holiday parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 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
Mix-Ins and Toppings
- ½ cup red and green sprinkles (jimmies style; avoid nonpareils)
- Optional Topping: 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
- Additional sprinkles for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure easy removal of the bread after baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted and slightly cooled butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract followed by 1 cup buttermilk until just combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix, as this could lead to a dense texture.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in ½ cup of red and green jimmies sprinkles, being cautious not to overmix to prevent color bleeding or a tough crumb.
- Transfer to Pan and Add Toppings: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of coarse sugar or additional sprinkles on top for a decorative and crunchy finish, if desired.
- Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Check around 45 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Cool Before Serving: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This helps the bread set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Use jimmies sprinkles instead of nonpareils to avoid rainbow color bleeding into the batter.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and moist.
- Wrap the cooled loaf in wax paper and tie with twine for a charming holiday gift presentation.
- This recipe can be made into muffins; bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–22 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 75g)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg