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This festive sprinkle buttermilk bread brings joy to holiday gatherings, perfect for lazy morning brunches or quiet afternoons by the fire. Each slice boasts a soft, juicy texture with fun bursts of rainbow sprinkles throughout. The buttermilk creates an incredibly tender crumb, while hints of vanilla and crunchy sugar on top fill your home with that warm, welcoming smell you can't buy in stores.
I whipped up this bread on Christmas Eve a few years back and my niece went wild adding extra sprinkles on top. These days she asks to help make it every December and the loaf never makes it to dinnertime.
Tasty Ingredients
- All purpose flour: Creates that perfect balance of soft yet sturdy texture. Grab unbleached for best results.
- Baking powder: Gives your bread that lovely rise – just double-check it's fresh!
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes flavors pop. Regular table salt works great.
- Unsalted butter: Adds moisture and rich flavor – don't swap for margarine if you want that amazing taste.
- Granulated sugar: Brings sweetness and helps make everything tender. Regular white sugar keeps the colors bright.
- Eggs: Hold everything together and add fluffiness. Room temperature ones mix in better.
- Buttermilk: The secret to that super moist, slightly tangy goodness. Give it a good stir before measuring.
- Vanilla extract: Adds that cozy holiday scent. Real vanilla makes all the difference.
- Coarse sugar: Sprinkled on top for that lovely crunch. Try sanding sugar or raw sugar from the baking section.
- Sprinkles: The fun part! Go for longer jimmies or tiny nonpareils in bright Christmas colors.
How to Make It
- Prepare the pan:
- Get a 9x5 inch loaf pan ready by lining it with parchment paper or rubbing butter inside so your bread won't stick.
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda until everything's well combined with no lumpy bits.
- Combine wet ingredients:
- In a bigger bowl, stir your melted butter (cooled a bit) with sugar until it looks shiny. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Pour in vanilla and buttermilk, then stir gently. Don't go crazy with mixing here.
- Add dry to wet:
- Switch to a rubber spatula and gently fold half the flour mix into your wet ingredients. Once that's mostly combined, add the rest and fold just until you can't see any flour streaks.
- Finish with sprinkles:
- Carefully fold in 1/2 cup of colorful sprinkles. Don't stir too much or the colors might run. Save some sprinkles for decorating the top.
- Pour and decorate:
- Scoop all that yummy batter into your pan and smooth the top. Shower it with coarse sugar and extra sprinkles, pressing them down slightly so they stick.
- Bake:
- Slide your pan into a 350-degree oven (middle rack) and bake for 30-45 minutes. Check if it's done by poking the center with a toothpick – it should come out clean or just have a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and enjoy:
- Let your bread hang out in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then pull it out using the parchment or flip it onto a cooling rack. Wait until it's fully cooled before slicing so it doesn't fall apart.
The crunchy sugar top is honestly my favorite part. The first time my little cousin helped us bake, she dumped so many sprinkles on top we couldn't stop laughing. That super-sprinkled loaf became an instant family classic, and now our Christmas morning wouldn't feel right without it.
Flavor Boosters
Storage Tips: Pop your bread in an airtight container and it'll stay fresh at room temperature up to 4 days. Want it to last longer? Wrap it tight in plastic and stick it in the fridge. A quick zap in the microwave or light toasting brings back that fresh-baked feel.
Ingredient Swaps: No buttermilk? No problem! Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with just under a cup of regular milk and wait 5 minutes. You can even try almond or oat milk for a different twist. Want more flavor? Toss in some grated orange zest to brighten things up.
Serving Suggestions
This bread tastes amazing with a steaming mug of hot chocolate or your morning coffee. For a simple dessert, try a slice with some fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. At breakfast, cut a thick piece and spread some whipped cream cheese on top.
Creative Twists
Getting Festive with Tradition: Colorful breads bring joy during winter celebrations across many cultures. This fun loaf reminds me of the cheerful Italian confetti breads and sweet Eastern European holiday loaves we made growing up. The smell and colors draw everyone to the kitchen, whether for morning treats or evening snacks.
Make It Seasonal: You can switch up the sprinkles for any occasion – try pastels for Easter, orange and brown for fall, or rainbow colors for birthdays with a candle on top. The recipe works perfectly year-round, no matter what colors you choose.
What keeps me coming back to this bread every Christmas is how it never fails me and the amazing way it makes my kitchen smell. There's something magical about cutting that first slice and seeing the golden edges with little sweet crunchy bits from the sugar sprinkled on top.
Common Questions About This Recipe
- → What makes this bread moist and tender?
The combo of buttermilk and melted butter works magic in the mixture, giving you an incredibly soft texture and keeping everything moist.
- → Can I use other types of sprinkles?
Absolutely, you can swap in any festive jimmies, nonpareils, or colored sugars that match your holiday theme or special event.
- → Do I need a stand mixer for this?
Not at all, you can mix everything by hand using a whisk and wooden spoon, which makes the whole process fast and uncomplicated.
- → How do I store the bread?
Make sure it's totally cooled down, then wrap it snugly in plastic or pop it in an airtight container and keep it on your counter for up to 3 days.
- → Can I freeze the bread?
For sure, once it's cooled down, wrap the loaf in aluminum foil and stick it in a freezer bag. It'll keep for up to 2 months and just needs to sit out to thaw.