Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread brings pure Christmas joy in every slice — soft, buttery, and dotted with cheerful red and green sprinkles. It’s sweet, moist, and bakes up beautifully golden. Perfect for cozy mornings, gifting, or a fun holiday brunch!
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What Makes Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread So Special
Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is soft inside, golden outside, and filled with festive colors.The tang of buttermilk gives it a tender crumb while sprinkles add playful sweetness. Every bite feels like a celebration!
Why It’s the Perfect Christmas Dessert or Gift
This Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is easy, bright, and always a hit. You can bake it ahead, wrap it beautifully, and share it with friends or teachers during the holidays. It’s the kind of treat that spreads instant happiness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Exact Measurements for the Batter
You’ll need 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup melted butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Don’t forget ½ cup red and green jimmies.
Optional Toppings and Add-ins for Extra Flavor
Sprinkle coarse sugar and a few more jimmies on top for sparkle. You can also mix in white chocolate chips or chopped nuts. For a twist, add a hint of almond extract — it smells amazing and tastes like Christmas magic.
Essential Baking Tools and Equipment
Grab a 9×5-inch loaf pan, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, and measuring cups. You’ll also need parchment paper or nonstick spray to line your pan. A cooling rack helps the bread set perfectly. Keep a toothpick handy for the doneness test — it’s the baker’s best trick. With these few tools, you’ll have your Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread ready in no time.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread
Prepare the Pan and Preheat the Oven
Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line or grease your loaf pan. This helps your bread lift out easily and keeps edges golden.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing them first ensures the leavening spreads evenly through the batter.
Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Then stir in vanilla and buttermilk. The mixture should look creamy and light.
Bring the Batter Together
Add the dry ingredients to the wet bowl. Stir gently until no dry streaks remain. Don’t overmix or the bread may turn dense.
Fold in Sprinkles Gently
Now comes the fun part! Add the red and green jimmies. Stir carefully so their color doesn’t bleed. The batter should look festive and thick.
Bake, Cool, and Slice to Serve
Pour the batter into your pan. Add extra sprinkles or coarse sugar on top if you like sparkle. Bake for 45–55 minutes, checking at 40. A toothpick should come out clean. Cool your Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread for 10–15 minutes, then move it to a rack. Slice only when fully cooled to keep this festive loaf soft and beautiful.
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid Overmixing the Batter
Mix only until combined. Overmixing creates heavy, tough bread instead of fluffy crumb.
Prevent Color Bleeding from Sprinkles
Use only “jimmies,” not nonpareils. Fold them gently to keep colors bright.
How to Know When It’s Perfectly Baked
Insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s done. If batter sticks, bake a few more minutes.
Cooling for the Best Texture
Let the loaf rest in its pan first, then cool fully on a rack. This helps the crumb set and slices stay smooth.
Serving and Presentation Ideas
How to Dress It Up for the Holidays
Add a drizzle of vanilla glaze or dust your Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread with powdered sugar for a sparkly, bakery-style look.Slice and serve with cocoa, peppermint tea, or fresh fruit for a cozy breakfast plate.
Creative Gifting and Wrapping Tips
Wrap cooled loaves in wax paper and tie with twine or ribbon. Add a tag with baking time and ingredients — it’s a personal touch everyone loves. Pair it with a jar of homemade jam or your favorite honey bourbon cranberry sauce recipe for a charming edible gift.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Room Temperature and Refrigerator Storage
Keep your bread in an airtight container at room temp for up to three days. For longer freshness, refrigerate tightly wrapped for up to one week.
How to Freeze and Reheat for Later
Wrap the loaf in foil and place it in a freezer bag. Freeze up to two months. Thaw overnight, then warm slices in the oven or microwave for that just-baked feel. This makes it perfect for busy holiday mornings!
Variations and Flavor Twists
Fun Mix-Ins like Nuts, Cranberries, or White Chocolate
Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or dried cranberries for crunch and flavor. White chocolate chips melt into sweet pockets — always a favorite.
Try a Vanilla or Almond Glaze
Whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla or almond extract. Drizzle over cooled bread for a glossy, delicious finish.
Mini Loaf and Muffin Versions for Parties
Turn the batter into mini loaves or muffins. Bake around 30 minutes for mini loaves or 18–22 minutes for muffins. Perfect for party trays or classroom gifts.
Perfect Pairings for Your Buttermilk Bread
What to Serve It With – Drinks and Sides
This bread pairs wonderfully with cocoa, coffee, or peppermint tea. Try it warm with honey butter or citrus slices for a fresh contrast. It also goes great next to shortbread cookies recipe festive buttery or kitchen sink cookies easy sweet recipe for a dessert spread that truly shines.
Baking Tips for Beginners
How to Test Doneness
Use the toothpick test. Insert it into the center — it should come out clean. If you’re unsure, check both edges and middle to be safe.
Substituting Buttermilk or Making It Gluten-Free
No buttermilk? Mix one cup of milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it rest for ten minutes. For gluten-free baking, use a 1:1 flour substitute. The texture may differ slightly but the taste stays delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does buttermilk bread last?
About three days at room temperature or a week in the fridge.
What are common soda bread mistakes?
Overmixing and baking too long can make it dry or dense.
Do you add sprinkles before or after baking?
Before baking, gently folded into the batter and sprinkled on top.
What does buttermilk do to bread?
It adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle tang that balances sweetness.
Related Recipes to Try
Conclusion
A Joyful Treat to Share and Gift
Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with warmth and laughter. It’s easy to make, beautiful to share, and always brings smiles. Whether you’re gifting it, serving it warm, or sharing it by the fire, this bread makes the holidays feel special. You can find even more festive baking ideas on Pinterest — it’s full of cozy inspiration for your next kitchen moment.
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Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread (Festive Christmas Dessert Recipe)
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is soft, buttery, and festive with red and green jimmies. It bakes tender and moist, perfect for gifting, brunch, or cozy Christmas mornings.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk (240ml)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup red and green sprinkles (jimmies only)
Optional: 1 tablespoon coarse sugar and extra sprinkles for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line or grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. In a large bowl, whisk butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and buttermilk.
4. Stir dry ingredients into wet just until combined to avoid overmixing.
5. Fold in sprinkles gently to prevent color bleeding.
6. Pour batter into loaf pan, smooth the top, and add optional toppings.
7. Bake for 45–55 minutes, checking at 40. A toothpick should come out clean.
8. Cool in pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool fully before slicing.
Notes
Use only jimmies sprinkles to avoid color bleeding.
Do not overmix batter to maintain a soft texture.
Fully cool the bread before slicing to avoid crumbling.
Can be baked as muffins (18–22 minutes at 350°F).
Wrap loaf in wax paper and twine for gifting.
Mini loaf variation: bake about 30 minutes.
Toothpick test recommended to check doneness.
Best stored airtight at room temperature for 3 days; refrigerate up to 1 week; freeze up to 2 months.
Buttermilk substitute: 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar; rest 5–10 minutes.
Flavor add-ins: white chocolate chips, walnuts, dried cranberries; or ½ teaspoon almond extract.
Pairs well with cocoa, peppermint tea, fruit, eggs, honey butter, or citrus slices.
Optional vanilla glaze: powdered sugar whisked with a little milk and vanilla.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Bread; Christmas Dessert Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
