Name: Festive Christmas Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup whole milk; 1/4 cup sour cream; 3/4 cup red and green candied cherries or mixed candied fruit, chopped; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 to 3 tablespoons milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons red, green, and white holiday sprinkles

Festive Christmas Bread is the kind of holiday bake that instantly makes a kitchen feel warm, cozy, and ready for celebration. With its soft, buttery crumb, colorful candied fruit, and sweet vanilla glaze, this loaf brings together the cheerful flavors and colors people love during the Christmas season.

It is a beautiful choice for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an afternoon coffee break during the holidays. The bright red and green bits tucked into every slice make it look extra special on the table, while the tender texture keeps everyone coming back for one more piece.

What Makes Festive Christmas Bread So Special?

This bread stands out because it feels both simple and celebratory at the same time. It has the rich, tender texture of a sweet loaf cake, but the glossy icing and festive sprinkles give it the charm of a bakery-style holiday treat. It is easy enough for a home baker to make, yet pretty enough to serve at Christmas brunch, wrap as a gift, or bring to a cookie exchange.

Ingredients for the Festive Christmas Bread

This holiday loaf uses pantry-friendly ingredients that come together into a soft, flavorful bread with a festive finish. Here is what you will need:

For the bread

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup red and green candied cherries or mixed candied fruit, chopped
1/4 cup sour cream for extra moisture

For the glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping

2 tablespoons red, green, and white holiday sprinkles

A light dusting of flour over the candied fruit before folding it into the batter helps keep the colorful pieces evenly distributed throughout the loaf.

How To Make the Festive Christmas Bread

This festive loaf comes together in a few easy steps. Take your time with the mixing, and you will be rewarded with a soft, tender bread that looks beautiful once glazed and decorated.

Step 1: Prepare the pan and oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper if you want easier removal after baking.

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Cream butter and sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This step helps create a lighter texture in the finished bread.

Step 4: Add eggs and vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 5: Alternate dry ingredients and milk

Add the flour mixture in batches, alternating with the milk. Stir gently after each addition until just combined. Mix in the sour cream for a moist and tender crumb.

Step 6: Fold in the candied fruit

Toss the chopped candied fruit with a teaspoon of flour, then gently fold it into the batter. This keeps the fruit from sinking and spreads the festive color through every slice.

Step 7: Bake the loaf

Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 8: Cool completely

Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before adding the glaze.

Step 9: Glaze and decorate

Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf, then finish with holiday sprinkles while the glaze is still wet.

Step 10: Slice and serve

Once the glaze is set, slice the bread and serve. It is wonderful on its own, with coffee, or as part of a festive brunch spread.

Serving and Storing Festive Christmas Bread

Festive Christmas Bread is lovely served slightly thick-sliced with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. It also fits right in on a holiday breakfast table beside eggs, fruit, and other sweet brunch favorites. For an extra special touch, warm a slice for a few seconds and enjoy it with a little softened butter.

To store, keep the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to 1 week. You can also freeze individual slices or the whole loaf, tightly wrapped, for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze after thawing if you want the freshest finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use glazed cherries instead of mixed candied fruit?

Yes. Red and green glazed cherries work beautifully and give the bread that classic Christmas look.

Can I make Festive Christmas Bread ahead of time?

Yes. You can bake the loaf a day in advance and glaze it the next day before serving.

Why should I toss the fruit with flour first?

A light coating of flour helps keep the fruit from sinking to the bottom of the batter while the loaf bakes.

Can I add nuts to this bread?

Yes. Chopped pecans or walnuts add a nice crunch and pair well with the sweet fruit.

Can I freeze Festive Christmas Bread?

Yes. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. For best texture, add the glaze after thawing.

What is the best way to keep the glaze from soaking in?

Make sure the bread is completely cool before glazing so the icing stays on top and sets nicely.

Want More Holiday Bread Ideas?

If this Festive Christmas Bread brings a little extra cheer to your kitchen, these cozy bakes and sweet treats from Life with Jam are worth saving for later too:

Try Cinnamon Sweet Alabama Pecanbread for a soft, sweet loaf with warm spice and crunchy pecans.
Bake Honey Butter Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread when you want a rich quick bread with buttery comfort.
Save Ultimate Banana Nut Bread Recipe for another moist homemade loaf that is perfect with coffee.
Make Easy Pumpkin Muffins when you are craving an easy seasonal bake with cozy flavor.
Add Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes to your dessert plans for a bright and bakery-style treat.

📌 Save this recipe to your holiday baking board so you can come back to it whenever you need an easy Christmas bread for brunch, dessert, or gifting.

Then share how your loaf turned out. Did you use candied cherries, mixed fruit, or add chopped nuts too? Little changes can make this recipe feel personal, and that is part of the fun of holiday baking.

For even more festive recipe inspiration, browse Life with Jam on Pinterest and save your next favorite bake.