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Festive Christmas Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 36 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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
  • 23 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently to avoid overmixing which can toughen the bread.
  7. Fold in Sprinkles: Carefully fold in the red and green nonpareil sprinkles to distribute the festive colors throughout the batter.
  8. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula to promote even baking.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.