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Christmas bread loaf with vanilla glaze and festive sprinkles, sliced on a wooden board.
Hannah Cooking

Christmas Bread

Christmas Bread is a moist vanilla quick bread packed with festive sprinkles and topped with a simple powdered sugar glaze for an easy holiday gift loaf.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Cool & Glaze Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bread
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup butter softened (1 stick)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (bread)
  • 0.5 teaspoon almond extract optional
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 0.5 cup Christmas colored sprinkles nonpareils or jimmies
Glaze
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 tablespoon milk or cream
  • 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract (glaze)
  • 2 tablespoon Christmas sprinkles topping

Equipment

  • 1 9x5-inch loaf pan Line with parchment if desired
  • 1 Electric mixer For creaming butter and sugar
  • 2 Mixing bowls One dry, one wet
  • 1 Rubber spatula For folding sprinkles
  • 1 Whisk For glaze
  • 1 Wire cooling rack Cool before glazing
  • 1 Measuring cups and spoons Accuracy

Method
 

  1. Grease and line 9x5 pan; preheat oven to 350°F
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
  3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time; mix in extracts
  5. Mix in dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately, ending with flour
  6. Gently fold in sprinkles without overmixing
  7. Bake 50–60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
  8. Cool 15 minutes in pan, then transfer to rack
  9. Whisk powdered sugar, milk/cream, and vanilla until pourable
  10. Pour glaze over bread and add sprinkles; set 15 minutes

Notes

This festive loaf also makes a beautiful edible gift! Wrap cooled slices or whole loaves in parchment and holiday twine for a thoughtful homemade treat.