There’s something joyful about biting into a colorful slice of sweet bread that instantly reminds you of Christmas magic. The Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe is my go-to for bringing that sprinkle-studded cheer right to your breakfast table or holiday snack time. It’s easy, fun, and packed with festive vibes you’ll want to share with everyone around.

A rectangular white plate holds a sliced loaf cake with three visible slices fanned out in front of the remaining loaf, each slice showing a light beige cake speckled with red and green spots inside. The cake is topped with a smooth white icing layer that drips slightly over the edges, decorated with red, green, and white round and rod-shaped sprinkles. Behind the cake, a clear glass filled with milk shows a white and green striped straw. All items rest on a red cloth on a white marbled surface, with some sprinkles scattered around the plate. 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 Sprinkle Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first Christmas I baked this sprinkle bread—kids’ eyes lit up just seeing the colorful specks peeking through the slice! It’s that playful touch that makes this bread a holiday favorite, plus it’s simple enough to whip up last minute.

Festive and eye-catching: The sprinkles make it colorful and fun, perfect for holiday parties or morning cheer.
Soft and tender crumb: Thanks to sour cream and butter, each bite is moist without being heavy.
Easy to make: You don’t need fancy tools or ingredients; it comes together in one bowl with simple steps.
Customizable sweet glaze: A vanilla icing finish adds just the right touch of extra sweetness and sparkle.

A rectangular cake lies on a white cutting board with a handle on the top left side, covered with smooth white frosting. The frosting is sprinkled evenly with small red, green, and white candy sprinkles in various shapes, adding bright color across the cake surface. The cake edges peek out slightly underneath the frosting, showing a brown color. A red cloth is underneath the board on a white marbled surface, adding warmth to the scene. Near the cake, there is a glass bottle filled with milk tied with a simple string, and two paper straws, one with green and white zigzag stripes and the other with red and white stripes, lie on the marble surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe balances rich, tangy, and sweet perfectly. The butter and sour cream keep it moist and tender, while the sprinkles bring fun bursts of color that stay intact when folded in carefully. Let me walk you through what each ingredient does:

Flat lay of a small mound of unsalted butter, a white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl with translucent vanilla extract, three whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of thick sour cream, a small white bowl filled with whole milk, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, a small mound of baking powder powder, a pinch of baking soda powder, a small heap of salt crystals, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl heaped with colorful Christmas sprinkles, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl with heavy cream, placed 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: Softened for easy creaming — it adds richness and a lovely tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a light, fluffy texture when beaten with butter.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth that complements the cinnamon and sprinkles.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness to hold the bread together.
Sour cream: Keeps the bread moist and tangy, making it softer and less dense.
Whole milk: Adds necessary moisture for the batter to be smooth but not runny.
All-purpose flour: The body of the bread, giving it structure without being too heavy.
Baking powder & baking soda: Work together to give your bread the perfect rise and gentle crumb.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavors.
Ground cinnamon: Introduces a subtle holiday spice that pairs beautifully with the sprinkles.
Christmas sprinkles: The star of the show — make sure to use sturdy, wide sprinkles that won’t melt completely.
Powdered sugar, heavy cream & vanilla for icing: These come together for a luscious glaze that ties the flavors and colors beautifully.

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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 experimenting with this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe by trying different sprinkle colors or adding a little citrus zest to the batter for a subtle holiday twist. Don’t hesitate to make it your own and adjust based on what you love! This bread is forgiving and fun to personalize.

Variation: One year, I swapped out the sprinkles for finely chopped dried cranberries and white chocolate chips — still festive but with an adult twist that my in-laws enjoyed just as much.
Dietary tweak: For a lighter version, swapping sour cream with Greek yogurt works well and keeps that moisture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray. Using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium speed until the mixture lightens in color and becomes fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. This step is important because it ensures the bread’s tenderness and rise.

Step 2: Add eggs, vanilla, sour cream, and milk

Next, add eggs one at a time, mixing only until combined after each addition; overmixing can make the bread tough. Stir in the vanilla extract, then gently mix in sour cream and milk till everything’s just incorporated. The batter will feel soft but not runny.

Step 3: Combine flour, leaveners, salt, and cinnamon

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This ensures even distribution, so every slice gets that perfect hint of spice and lift.

Step 4: Mix dry ingredients into wet, then fold in sprinkles

Slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet batter, stirring gently until no flour streaks remain. Then fold in the Christmas sprinkles with a spatula—be gentle here to keep the colors from bleeding too much. The batter should be a joyful confetti-like sight.

Step 5: Bake and cool

Pour your batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is just golden. If the bread starts browning too fast, I always tent it with foil to avoid overcooking. Let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Whip up the icing and finish

While the bread cools, whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Spread the glaze over the cooled bread and sprinkle a few extra festive sprinkles on top. Let the icing set for about 15 minutes before slicing.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe a dozen times, and these small tweaks always help me nail it beautifully every time. Little details make a big difference!

Use sturdy sprinkles: I recommend wide or "jimmies" type sprinkles that can hold their shape so they don't melt into the batter and turn your bread grayish.
Don’t overmix the batter: Stir just until combined to keep your bread nice and tender rather than tough.
Foil tent if browning too fast: Cover your loaf loosely with foil halfway through baking if the crust darkens sooner than you want.
Cool completely before icing: Slathering glaze on warm bread causes it to run off — cool bread holds the icing perfectly.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe

Christmas sprinkle bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a few extra sprinkles on top to keep the festive spirit alive. Sometimes I add a light dusting of powdered sugar to look like a fresh snowcap—it’s a little touch that delights everyone at the table.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa or mulled cider—perfect for cozy mornings or holiday brunches. If you want something savory, a side of cream cheese or nut butter balances the sweetness nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I sliced the bread and arranged the pieces like a Christmas tree centerpiece, decorating it with fresh holly and mini ornaments around the platter—guests loved the festive presentation as much as the taste!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover slices in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay fresh and soft for up to 3 days. You can also wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to lock in moisture.

Freezing

This bread freezes wonderfully! I slice it, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. When I want a treat, I pull out a slice and thaw it on the counter or warm it briefly in the toaster oven.

Reheating

I like to warm slices for 15–20 seconds in the microwave or toast lightly to revive that soft crumb and melt the glaze slightly. It tastes almost like freshly baked!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different sprinkles or mix-ins?

Absolutely! Feel free to use any sturdy sprinkles you like, but avoid delicate ones that melt easily. You can also try mini chocolate chips or dried fruit for a fun twist.

What if I don’t have sour cream?

Greek yogurt is a great substitute if you don’t have sour cream on hand. It provides similar moisture and tanginess to keep the bread tender.

How long should I bake the sprinkle bread?

You want to bake it for about 60 to 70 minutes at 350°F, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too fast, cover it loosely with foil.

Can I make this bread dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute dairy milk with a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative. For the sour cream, try coconut cream or a dairy-free yogurt.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Sprinkle Bread Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s more than just bread—it’s about creating joyful moments and memories around the holiday table. I hope you’ll enjoy baking it as much as I do and find as much magic in every slice as my family and friends have over the years.