There's something festive and utterly joyful about this bread, with its colorful sprinkles peeking through tender slices. This Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe is the kind of treat that instantly lifts the holiday spirit and fills your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become a tradition!

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

I remember making this Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe for the first time with my kids, and the way their faces lit up seeing all those bright sprinkles made it instantly worth the effort. It’s sweet, cozy, and just festive enough without being over the top.

Super Easy to Make: You don’t need fancy equipment or skills – just simple mixing and a loaf pan.
Bright and Festive: Those sprinkles really make the bread pop, bringing holiday cheer to every slice.
Versatile Flavor: The subtle cinnamon and vanilla pair perfectly with the sweet sprinkles without being overly sugary.
Perfect for Gifting or Brunch: Wrapped up nicely, it makes a thoughtful homemade gift or a standout breakfast addition.

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

The magic in this Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe comes from balancing rich, creamy ingredients with just the right amount of flour and flavorings. Each piece contributes to tender texture and delightful sweetness that carries those festive sprinkles beautifully.

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: Softened butter adds richness and helps create a tender crumb without overpowering sweetness.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread nicely, working with butter to create a light, fluffy batter.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor, blending perfectly with cinnamon.
Eggs: Provide structure and moisture, helping this loaf rise and stay tender.
Sour cream: Adds moisture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness and keeps the bread soft.
Whole milk: Thins the batter slightly, making it easy to spread evenly in the pan.
All-purpose flour: The base ingredient giving the bread its structure and body.
Baking powder and baking soda: Both leavening agents ensure the bread rises just right for a fluffy texture.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
Ground cinnamon: Adds a gentle, cozy spice that's classic for Christmas.
Christmas sprinkles: The star ingredient! They bring both color and fun to the bread without overwhelming the flavor.
Powdered sugar (for icing): The base for a sweet glaze that sets the bread apart.
Heavy cream: Combines with powdered sugar to create a smooth, pourable icing.

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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

One of the best things about this Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Over the years, I’ve experimented with tweaks that really make the flavor pop and suit my family’s taste – and you can too!

Variation: I sometimes swap out half the sprinkles for mini chocolate chips to add a little melty surprise in each slice — it’s always a hit.
Make it dairy-free: Substitute coconut cream for the sour cream and almond milk for the whole milk, which still yields a moist, tasty loaf.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg alongside cinnamon, especially if you’re aiming for extra holiday warmth.
Gluten-free option: Use a blend of gluten-free flour designed for baking, and watch the bread come together just as wonderfully.

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

Step 1: Prep for Success

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease your loaf pan well with non-stick spray or softened butter. This simple step makes sure your bread comes out clean and keeps the crust tender. I like to set the pan aside while mixing so it’s ready right when the batter’s done.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy—this takes about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is key because it incorporates air that helps your bread rise beautifully. Don’t rush it here, it makes a big difference.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract one at a time, beating just until combined after each. Then stir in the sour cream and milk until everything’s evenly blended. This part brings a lovely creamy texture to the batter that you’ll notice in the finished bread.

Step 4: Whisk Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisking separately keeps everything evenly distributed so you don’t get lumps or pockets of baking soda.

Step 5: Combine and Fold in Sprinkles

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet, stirring just until no flour streaks remain — don’t overmix or your bread can turn tough. Finally, gently fold in the Christmas sprinkles. Be careful here; if you stir too vigorously, the colors may bleed into the batter, turning your beautiful loaf a bit messy.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for about 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top has a light golden hue. If you notice the top browning too quickly, tent it loosely with foil to avoid burning. Let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Make and Spread the Icing

Whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth to make a simple glaze. Spread it over the cooled bread and then sprinkle a few more festive sprinkles on top while the icing is still wet. Let the glaze set before slicing — that finishing touch really brightens each slice.

Top Tip

After making this Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe many times, I've picked up a few tricks that help it turn out perfect every time. These tips really save the day, especially if you’re trying it for the holidays!

Don’t Overmix: Stir your batter until just combined for tender bread—overmixing develops gluten and makes the texture dense.
Sift Your Powdered Sugar: For the icing, sift powdered sugar to avoid lumps, ensuring your glaze is silky smooth.
Cool Completely Before Icing: Applying glaze on still-warm bread causes it to melt and slide off; patience is key!
Use High-Quality Sprinkles: Some sprinkles bleed more than others—look for ones labeled "cake decorating" for the best results.

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe

Christmas Sprinkle Bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding just a few fresh cranberries or a sprig of rosemary beside slices when serving — it adds brightness and festive flair. Sometimes a dusting of powdered sugar on top after the icing sets feels just like snow, perfect for the holiday table.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced tea or coffee, and I often serve it alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad for a balanced holiday brunch. The sweetness of the bread complements savory dishes beautifully!

Creative Ways to Present

A fun way I've served this bread at holiday parties is sliced thick and skewered like kabobs with berries and marshmallows between slices—a colorful, kid-friendly treat. Wrapping individual slices in parchment paper tied with twine also makes lovely, edible gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover Christmas Sprinkle Bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh and soft for about 3 days, perfect for enjoying all week long without any fridge dryness.

Freezing

To freeze, slice the bread first, then separate slices with parchment paper and place them in a freezer-safe bag. This helps prevent sticking and makes it easy to grab single servings — frozen slices thaw quickly at room temperature or in the toaster.

Reheating

I like to warm slices gently in a toaster oven or regular oven at low heat for just a few minutes to bring back a soft texture and lightly melt the icing. Microwaving works in a pinch, but can make the bread a bit gummy if overheated.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular sprinkles instead of Christmas ones?

Yes! Regular sprinkles work just fine. Christmas sprinkles typically have festive colors that make the bread look extra special, but any brightly colored sprinkles will bring fun and flavor. Just keep in mind some sprinkles bleed color more than others.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

Absolutely. Swap out all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup in recipes. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to give the bread structure. Texture might be slightly different but still delicious!

What can I use instead of sour cream?

You can replace sour cream with Greek yogurt or buttermilk in equal amounts. Both provide moisture and a slight tanginess that helps keep the bread tender. Just be sure to use full-fat versions for best results.

How long does this bread stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, the Christmas Sprinkle Bread stays fresh for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freezing slices is a great option and keeps the bread tasty for several weeks.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it captures the simple joy of the holidays in each colorful slice. It’s easy to make, fun to share, and always brings a smile. I can’t wait for you to try it and make your own cozy memories—this is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to year after year.