Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g)

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

1 cup granulated sugar (200g)

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk (240ml)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ cup red and green sprinkles (jimmies style; avoid nonpareils)

Optional Topping: 1 tablespoon coarse sugar

Additional sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prepare for baking.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and buttermilk until combined.

Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.

Step 6: Carefully fold in the red and green sprinkles, being gentle to prevent the colors from bleeding.

Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the surface with coarse sugar or additional sprinkles if desired.

Step 8: Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

Use jimmies-style sprinkles instead of nonpareils to prevent color bleeding during baking.

Do not overmix the batter to ensure your bread stays light and tender.

For gift-ready presentation, wrap the cooled loaf in wax paper tied with twine for a charming, festive touch.

To make muffins, pour batter into a muffin tin and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–22 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Buttermilk adds acidity which helps tenderize the bread and activate the baking soda for leavening. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Why should I avoid using nonpareil sprinkles?

Nonpareils tend to bleed their colors more during baking, which can create uneven or muddy colors in the bread. Jimmies-style sprinkles hold their shape and color better, keeping the bread bright and festive.