Description
This festive Christmas bread is a soft, buttery holiday loaf filled with colorful candied fruit, finished with a sweet vanilla glaze, and topped with cheerful sprinkles. It is an easy recipe for holiday brunch, a sweet breakfast idea, a cozy dessert, and one of those classic food ideas that works beautifully for Christmas gatherings, edible gifts, and make-ahead baking.
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
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Line with parchment paper if desired.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Add the dry ingredients in batches, alternating with the whole milk, and mix just until combined.
6. Stir in the sour cream until the batter is smooth and creamy.
7. Gently fold in the chopped candied fruit.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
9. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
11. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and remaining vanilla extract to make the glaze.
12. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread and top with holiday sprinkles before the glaze sets.
13. Slice and serve.
Notes
Toss the candied fruit with a small spoonful of flour before folding it into the batter to help keep it evenly distributed.
Let the loaf cool fully before glazing so the icing stays thick and pretty on top.
For extra flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract or a small handful of chopped pecans.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 58mg