Festive Christmas Bread

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A slice of Festive Christmas Bread brings holiday magic to every bite. Light, fluffy, and speckled with red and green sprinkles, it’s a cheerful centerpiece for breakfast or dessert. Topped with a rich vanilla glaze and more colorful sprinkles, this loaf captures all the joy of the season in one slice.

Whether you’re cozying up by the fire or hosting a holiday brunch, this bread looks as good as it tastes. The sweetness of the glaze combined with the tender crumb of the bread makes it hard to stop at one slice. Plus, it makes a wonderful edible gift for neighbors and friends.

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What Kind of Sprinkles Should I Use?

For the best visual effect, opt for red and green jimmies or nonpareils. They hold their shape and color during baking. Avoid sanding sugar or larger decorative pieces, as they may melt or bleed into the batter.

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Ingredients for the Festive Christmas Bread

All-purpose flour – Provides structure and softness, perfect for a moist yet fluffy bread loaf.

Baking powder – Gives the bread its rise, ensuring a light and airy texture.

Salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavor.

Unsalted butter – Brings richness and a soft crumb. Using room temperature butter is key.

Granulated sugar – Sweetens the bread and helps with browning.

Eggs – Bind the ingredients and add a bit of richness.

Vanilla extract – Adds a warm, festive aroma and depth.

Milk – Moistens the batter and helps everything blend smoothly.

Holiday sprinkles – Red and green nonpareils or jimmies add festive color and texture inside the loaf.

Powdered sugar – Used for the icing to give a smooth, snowy finish.

Heavy cream or milk (for icing) – Helps thin the icing to the perfect drizzle consistency.

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How To Make the Festive Christmas Bread

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray and set aside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step adds air to the batter and builds structure.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 5: Fold in Sprinkles

Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles. Don’t overmix to prevent color bleeding.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Glaze and Decorate

In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar with a tablespoon of milk or cream until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bread and top with more festive sprinkles.

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Serving and Storing Your Festive Christmas Bread

Serve this bread sliced for a sweet holiday breakfast, brunch centerpiece, or festive dessert. It pairs beautifully with a warm mug of cocoa, coffee, or spiced tea. For storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. It also freezes well for up to 2 months—just thaw and glaze before serving.

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What to Serve With Festive Christmas Bread?

Hot Chocolate

A cup of creamy hot chocolate brings out the sweetness of the bread and makes for a cozy treat.

Creamy Eggnog

This classic holiday beverage pairs beautifully with the vanilla glaze and rich texture.

Christmas Fruit Salad

Add freshness and balance to your table with a fruit salad made of oranges, pomegranate, and kiwi.

Spiced Apple Cider

Warm and aromatic, apple cider enhances the cozy feel of this bread.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Serve a dollop on top of each slice for added decadence.

Cranberry Sauce

A tangy spread that pairs surprisingly well with the sweet loaf.

Coffee or Espresso

Keep it simple with a good coffee pairing to let the bread shine.

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Want More Bread & Holiday Dessert Ideas?

If you loved this Festive Christmas Bread, you’ll enjoy these other comforting and crowd-pleasing bakes from our holiday kitchen:

• Christmas Breakfast Casserole for a savory holiday morning option.
• Nutella French Toast Casserole if you like things rich and chocolatey.
• Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites for a gooey, cinnamon-laced indulgence.
• Tasty Pineapple Juice Cake for a tropical twist on holiday baking.
• Twix Cookie Cups if you want handheld treats everyone will love.

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Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest holiday board so it’s ready when the baking mood strikes.

Have you baked this festive loaf? Share your version in the comments below! Did you go all out with the glaze or keep it simple? I love seeing how others bring their holiday magic into the kitchen.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and sweets on ChefAlchemy’s Pinterest for your next inspiration!

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