As the holiday season approaches, kitchens fill with the warm, inviting scents of freshly baked goods. One delightful addition to your holiday traditions is this Festive Christmas Bread—a moist, tender loaf packed with the joy of the season. With its soft, buttery crumb and festive sprinkles, this Christmas bread captures the spirit of the holidays in every slice. Topped with a simple vanilla icing, it adds a sweet and colorful touch to any Christmas gathering. Whether you serve it for breakfast, a mid-day treat, or alongside your holiday dinner, this festive bread is sure to become a holiday favorite in your home!
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- ½ cup softened butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup Christmas sprinkles (plus more for topping)
For the Icing:
- 1¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a standard loaf pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper for easy release.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, ensuring to mix well after each addition. Then, blend in the sour cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing the batter.
- Fold in the Sprinkles: Gently fold ⅔ cup of Christmas sprinkles into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Bake the Bread: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle a few additional toppings for decoration. Bake in the oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before moving it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. The icing should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add a bit more cream; if it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Decorate and Serve: Once the bread has cooled, drizzle the vanilla icing over the top of the loaf. Add more Christmas sprinkles on top for an extra festive touch. Slice and serve this delightful Christmas bread to family and friends!
Conclusion:
This Festive Christmas Bread is the perfect way to add a little holiday cheer to your table. Its soft and buttery texture pairs beautifully with the sweet crunch of sprinkles, while the light vanilla icing provides a simple yet delicious finish. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the morning or as an afternoon treat, this Christmas bread will quickly become a holiday staple that your family will look forward to year after year.
Festive Christmas Bread: A Sweet Holiday Treat
A festive, buttery Christmas bread loaded withsprinkles and topped with a sweet vanilla icing. Perfect for holiday breakfastsor as a dessert treat.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- ½ cup softened butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup Christmas sprinkles plus more for topping
For the Icing:
- 1¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). • Prepare a standard loaf pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper for easy release.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, ensuring to mix well after each addition. Then, blend in the sour cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing the batter.
- Fold in the Sprinkles: Gently fold ⅔ cup of Christmas sprinkles into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Bake the Bread: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle a few additional toppings for decoration. Bake in the oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before moving it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. The icing should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add a bit more cream; if it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Decorate and Serve: Once the bread has cooled, drizzle the vanilla icing over the top of the loaf. Add more Christmas sprinkles on top for an extra festive touch. Slice and serve this delightful Christmas bread to family and friends!