There’s something downright magical about this Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe that instantly lifts your holiday spirit with every slice. Imagine a tender, moist loaf bursting with festive red, green, and white sprinkles, giving you little pops of sweet delight throughout. It’s like biting into a holiday party, cozy, colorful, and utterly irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a Christmas morning treat, a cheerful gift, or an easy dessert, this quick bread brings warmth and joy in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe calls for everyday ingredients that come together in perfect harmony to create a tender texture, vibrant color, and sweet, festive flavor. Each ingredient plays its part in building a loaf that’s both fun and fabulous to share.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that gives the bread its soft crumb and structure.
- Baking powder: Helps the bread rise and keeps it fluffy without heaviness.
- Baking soda: Works with the sour cream to add lightness and tenderness.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture while helping the sugar cream for a light texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread and helps create that fluffy crumb when creamed with butter.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and provide a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, inviting aroma that complements the sprinkles beautifully.
- Sour cream: Adds moistness and a subtle tang to keep the bread from being overly sweet.
- Milk: Adjusts the batter’s consistency for perfect baking results.
- Christmas-colored sprinkles: The stars of the show, giving joy and fun visual excitement to every bite.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Creates a sweet, smooth glaze to finish the bread with elegance.
- Extra sprinkles (for topping): Adds a final festive touch to brighten the presentation.
How to Make Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Pan and Dry Ingredients
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper so your bread won’t stick and will come out perfectly shaped. Then whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl—this step ensures your dry ingredients are evenly distributed and ready to give your bread that delightful rise and flavor balance.
Step 2: Creaming the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter together with granulated sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This process is key because it incorporates air that helps create a tender and airy texture in your bread. It’s a simple step that makes a world of difference!
Step 3: Adding the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract. This method ensures the eggs are fully incorporated, contributing to a smooth batter and that rich, aromatic flavor base we’re aiming for in this Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe.
Step 4: Incorporating Sour Cream and Milk
Mix in the sour cream until the batter is silky and smooth, then gradually add the milk. These wet ingredients add moisture and a delightful tang that balances the sweetness, making the bread soft and melt-in-your-mouth good.
Step 5: Combining Wet and Dry Mixtures and Adding Sprinkles
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender. Now, the fun part: fold in those festive Christmas-colored sprinkles until they’re spread evenly throughout the batter, giving this quick bread its signature joyful look and surprise bursts of color in every slice.
Step 6: Baking the Bread
Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The smell as it bakes will probably make your kitchen feel like holiday heaven.
Step 7: Cooling and Optional Glazing
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. If you want to give your Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe an extra special touch, make the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle it over the cooled loaf and sprinkle with extra festive sprinkles for that picture-perfect finish.
How to Serve Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe
Garnishes
A fresh drizzle of sweet glaze topped with more colorful Christmas sprinkles adds sparkle and sweetness that elevates the bread’s festive appeal. You could also dust it lightly with powdered sugar for a snowy look that instantly screams holiday cheer.
Side Dishes
This quick bread pairs beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or spiced coffee, making it an ideal companion for cozy winter mornings or afternoon treats. For a more indulgent occasion, cream cheese or mascarpone spreads bring a luscious creaminess that complements the sweet bread perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve slices on a decorative holiday platter surrounded by fresh cranberries and pine sprigs for a stunning centerpiece. You can also cut the loaf into mini slices and arrange them in a basket wrapped with a festive ribbon to gift friends and family something they’ll absolutely adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh and moist for about 2 to 3 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this holiday treat without any loss in flavor or texture.
Freezing
If you want to make it ahead, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. For best quality, consume it within 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Warm slices gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or toast them lightly to bring back that fresh-baked warmth. Adding a small pat of butter or a drizzle of glaze after reheating makes every bite taste just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use different sprinkles in this Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! While the traditional red, green, and white sprinkles give it a festive look, feel free to use any colors or styles you prefer. Just choose sprinkles that are designed for baking to ensure they hold up well during cooking.
Is the glaze necessary for this bread?
The glaze is optional but highly recommended if you want to add an extra layer of sweetness and holiday charm. The bread itself is moist and delicious on its own, but the glaze adds a lovely finishing touch both in flavor and appearance.
Can I make this bread dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine and use a plant-based yogurt instead of sour cream. Be sure to use a non-dairy milk to keep the texture consistent. The bread might turn out slightly different but will still be delicious.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?
The best way to check is by inserting a toothpick or skewer into the center of the loaf—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your bread is perfectly baked and ready to enjoy.
Can I double this recipe to make two loaves?
You sure can! Just double all ingredients and bake in two separate loaf pans for the same amount of time. This is great if you’re baking for a crowd or want to gift a loaf while keeping one for yourself.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to bring fun, flavor, and festive flair to your holiday baking, this Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s easy to make and even easier to love, delivering that perfect combo of moist, sweet, and colorful that everyone adores. Gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and let this cheerful bread add a sprinkle of joy to your celebrations!
Print
Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the festive season with this delightful Christmas Funfetti Quick Bread, packed with colorful holiday sprinkles and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. This moist and tender quick bread combines a tender crumb with the joyful crunch of Christmas-colored sprinkles, making it a perfect treat to share during the holidays or serve at your festive brunch.
Ingredients
For the Funfetti Bread:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup Christmas-colored sprinkles (red, green, and white)
For the Sweet Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Extra Christmas sprinkles, for topping
Instructions
- Preparing the Pan and Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure the bread doesn’t stick after baking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Creaming the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air into the batter for a tender crumb.
- Adding Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure even incorporation, then stir in the vanilla extract for a warm, sweet aroma and flavor.
- Incorporating Sour Cream and Milk: Mix in the sour cream until smooth, which adds moisture and richness to the bread. Gradually add the milk while stirring until the batter is well combined and smooth.
- Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients and Sprinkles: Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the bread dense. Gently fold in the Christmas-colored sprinkles so they are evenly distributed without melting into the batter.
- Pouring and Baking the Batter: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully baked.
- Cooling the Bread: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set before transferring it onto a wire rack to cool completely, which helps the bread firm up for easier slicing.
- Preparing the Optional Sweet Glaze: While the bread cools, prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth. Adjust the glaze consistency to your preference by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more sugar for a thicker one.
- Glazing and Garnishing: Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top and sprinkle extra Christmas sprinkles for a festive and colorful finish that adds texture and holiday cheer.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added, to maintain a tender crumb.
- Use festive Christmas sprinkles resistant to melting to keep their shape in the bread.
- The glaze is optional but adds a lovely sweetness and decorative touch to the bread.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter and sour cream with plant-based alternatives.
