Dessert

Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread Recipe

BySana Jeannette October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

Introduction

This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is a delightful and moist holiday treat that adds a pop of festive color to your table. Perfectly tender with bursts of red and green sprinkles, it’s a fun and flavorful way to celebrate the season with family and friends.

A loaf cake with two slices cut from it is shown on a white rectangular plate placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has a light yellow, soft texture with red and green bits evenly spread inside the bread. The top of the cake is coated with a white glaze that drips slightly down the sides, and it is decorated with tiny round red and green sprinkles. In the background, there are blurred golden lights and red Christmas ornaments, giving a festive feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g)
1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

½ cup (1 stick) 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 style; avoid nonpareils)
Optional Topping:

1 tablespoon coarse sugar

Additional sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line or grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.

Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and buttermilk.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Step 5: Carefully fold in the red and green sprinkles, mixing just enough to distribute them evenly without melting the colors.

Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with coarse sugar and additional sprinkles if desired for extra sparkle.
Step 7: Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Variations

Use jimmies-type sprinkles rather than nonpareils to avoid bleeding colors into the batter.

For an extra festive touch, add a handful of chopped nuts or dried cranberries along with the sprinkles.
If you prefer a tangier flavor, substitute half the buttermilk with plain yogurt.
Make mini loaves using smaller pans to share as holiday gifts.

Storage

Store the bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or a toaster oven for the best texture.

How to Serve

A loaf cake is shown sliced on a white plate, revealing a soft, light yellow crumb with red and green sprinkles mixed inside. The top of the cake is covered with a smooth white glaze that drips slightly down the sides. More red, green, and a few gold sprinkles are scattered on the glaze, adding a festive look. The cake has a firm golden-brown crust around the edges. The background shows blurred warm lights and hints of holiday decorations, with a white marbled surface beneath the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, but to mimic the acidity of buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Will the sprinkles melt and change the color of the bread?

Using jimmies sprinkles helps prevent color bleeding. Stir them in gently and avoid overmixing to keep the colors bright and intact in the bread.

Sana Jeannette