Description
Celebrate the holiday season with this colorful and delightful Festive Christmas Bread. Moist and flavorful, this quick bread is studded with vibrant red and green sprinkles and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze, perfect for sharing with family and friends at Christmas gatherings or as a cheerful holiday treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup sour cream
Additional Ingredients
- 1/3 cup red and green nonpareil sprinkles
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bread after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This pre-mixes the leavening and seasoning for even distribution in the batter.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition for proper incorporation. Then stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
- Combine Sour Cream and Milk: Mix the sour cream and whole milk into the wet ingredients until just combined to keep the batter moist and tender.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently to avoid overmixing which can toughen the bread.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Carefully fold in the red and green nonpareil sprinkles to distribute the festive colors throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula to promote even baking.
- Bake the Bread: Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool Bread: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream or milk until smooth and pourable to create a sweet glaze.
- Glaze and Decorate: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled bread. Optionally, sprinkle additional red and green sprinkles on top for extra festive flair. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bread tender.
- Sifting the powdered sugar before mixing it into the glaze can help achieve a smoother texture.
- The loaf pan size is important; a 9×5-inch pan ensures the bread bakes evenly.
- Use room temperature ingredients for better batter consistency.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.