There’s something about biting into a warm, soft loaf sprinkled with festive colors that instantly brings holiday cheer. This Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe is just that—a sweet, cozy bread that’s perfect to share with family and friends during the season. It’s colorful, buttery, and downright fun to make!

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 Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I actually stumbled upon this bread when I wanted to bake something festive but not too complicated. It hits the sweet spot between a quick loaf and a celebration-worthy treat—plus, the sprinkles add a playful pop that everyone appreciates around Christmas.

Simple yet impressive: It looks beautiful with minimal effort, making it your go-to holiday bake.
Moist and tender crumb: Thanks to sour cream and butter, the bread stays soft for days.
Fun and festive sprinkles: They don’t just add color—they give each bite a surprise of sweetness.
Versatile and customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with your favorite spices or mix-ins.

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

Every ingredient here plays a role in creating that perfect festive bread texture and flavor. The combination of butter and sour cream adds richness and moisture, while the sprinkles bring in that cheerful holiday look without sogginess. Here’s why I love these choices:

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: Gives a creamy richness and lets you control the salt perfectly.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens just right without overpowering the bread’s flavor.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth that enhances the festive feel.
Eggs: Provide structure and tenderness, helping the bread rise beautifully.
Sour cream: Keeps the crumb soft and adds a subtle tang that balances sweetness.
Whole milk: Moistens the batter and aids in the tender crumb.
All-purpose flour: The perfect base for this bread’s texture—neither too dense nor too cakey.
Baking powder & baking soda: Work together for a light, risen loaf.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Ground cinnamon: Adds a cozy holiday spice without overwhelming the sprinkles.
Christmas sprinkles: The star of the show that adds festive fun and pops of color.
Powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla (for icing): Create a simple glaze that ties all the flavors together with a shiny, sweet finish.

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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

I love tweaking this festive Christmas bread with sprinkles recipe depending on the occasion. Sometimes I swap the sprinkles for mini chocolate chips or chopped dried cranberries for an adult-friendly twist. Feel free to jazz it up with your favorite flavors or dietary preferences—it’s very forgiving!

Variation: One year, I added orange zest and swapped sprinkles for chopped pecans and dried cherries—deliciously festive and a little less sweet.
Dairy-free option: Substitute coconut yogurt for sour cream and a non-dairy milk to make it vegan-friendly.
Spice it up: Try adding nutmeg or ginger alongside cinnamon for a warmer holiday aroma.
Quick version: Use a stand mixer to speed up the creaming process, but I actually enjoy the hand mixer for the control it gives.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe

Step 1: Creaming Butter and Sugar to a Fluffy Base

Start by softening your unsalted butter—room temperature is best for this step. Using a hand mixer, beat together the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This airiness is what helps give your bread that tender crumb, so don’t rush it. I usually take about 2-3 minutes, scraping down the bowl halfway through to mix everything evenly.

Step 2: Adding Eggs, Vanilla, Sour Cream, and Milk

Next, add your eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined after each addition; overmixing can make the bread tough. Stir in vanilla extract, then fold in the sour cream and milk. These ingredients keep the bread moist and tender—I love how they balance the sweetness perfectly.

Step 3: Combining Dry Ingredients and Folding in Sprinkles

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Then gently fold this dry mixture into the wet batter until you no longer see flour streaks. This is when you carefully fold in the Christmas sprinkles. Be gentle here because overmixing can cause the colors to bleed and the batter to turn pastel instead of vibrant.

Step 4: Baking Your Festive Loaf to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 60–70 minutes. Keep an eye on the top—if it browns too fast, tent it with foil. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs. After baking, let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Waiting for it to cool is tough, but it helps the icing stay perfect when applied.

Step 5: Making the Icing and Adding Final Sprinkles

While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla to create the simple glaze. Spread this icing evenly over the cooled bread with a spatula, then sprinkle a little extra Christmas sprinkle magic on top. Let the glaze set for about 10–15 minutes before slicing—this finishing touch makes every bite extra special.

Top Tip

After several attempts, I found these tips really helped me nail the perfect festive Christmas bread with sprinkles recipe every time. Hopefully, they make your baking smoother and more fun too!

Don’t overmix the sprinkles: Folding them in gently keeps their color vibrant and stops them from bleeding into the batter.
Softened butter is a must: Too cold, and you’ll struggle creaming it properly; too warm, and it’ll be greasy.
Check the oven temperature: An oven thermometer helps here since some ovens run hotter; this avoids overbaking and a dry loaf.
Let the bread cool fully before icing: Otherwise, the glaze melts off and loses its shiny appearance.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe

festive Christmas bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple—an extra sprinkle of festive colored sprinkles right on top of the glaze. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar looks like a gentle snowfall and adds a lovely touch. If you want to get fancy, a few edible glitter stars can turn it into a holiday showstopper.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa or spiced tea. For a festive breakfast, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or creamy yogurt for a balance of sweet and fresh. It also works well nestled on a holiday brunch table with a spread of jams and cheeses.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I cut the bread into small cubes and stack them on a pretty platter with festive toothpicks for easy snacking. Wrapping individual slices in parchment tied with a ribbon makes a darling edible gift too—always a hit with neighbors and co-workers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. After that, it starts drying out, so I usually move it to the fridge if I'm not finishing it quickly, but the texture is best the first few days.

Freezing

This festive bread freezes beautifully. I slice it first, then place wax paper between slices and store them in a freezer bag. That way, you can pull out only what you need for quick holiday breakfasts or last-minute treats.

Reheating

To warm up, I pop slices in the toaster oven for a couple of minutes—just enough to revive the softness without melting the icing completely. If you prefer, a quick zap in the microwave for 15 seconds works too, especially if you like it gooey.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular sprinkles or other types?

Yes! Regular sprinkles work great, but avoid those that melt easily as they might bleed into the batter too much. If you want less sweetness, mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts are great alternatives.

What if my bread is browning too fast in the oven?

If the top browns before the inside is cooked, cover the loaf loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time. This shields it from direct heat and prevents burning.

Can I make this bread dairy-free or vegan?

Yes, you can substitute sour cream with a plant-based yogurt like coconut or almond yogurt, and use a non-dairy milk such as oat or almond milk. For vegan eggs, flax eggs work, though they might alter texture slightly.

What is the best way to store leftover Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe?

Store leftover bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for 2-3 days in an airtight container or plastic wrap. For longer storage, freeze sliced bread wrapped in wax paper and a freezer bag for up to 2 months.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Bread with Sprinkles Recipe has become a yearly favorite for me—partly because of how versatile and easy it is, and partly because it just makes the holidays feel a bit brighter with every colorful slice. I genuinely hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as I do; it’s one of those recipes you can bring out again and again and still smile at. Happy baking and happy holidays!