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!