Pain moelleux aux paillettes

This Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread is wonderfully moist and buttery with a festive burst of red and green sprinkles. It’s an easy quick bread that adds a cheerful pop of color and flavor to holiday breakfasts, brunches, or makes a lovely handmade gift during the festive season. The tender crumb and slightly tangy buttermilk make it a comforting treat for cozy winter mornings.

I first made this loaf with my family for a winter brunch and since then it has become a treasured holiday tradition everyone looks forward to. The bright sprinkles really bring a smile even on chilly mornings.

Ingredients

• Allpurpose flour: One and three quarters cups the base of the bread ensuring a soft yet sturdy texture choose organic if possible for better flavor
• Baking powder: One teaspoon provides gentle rise
• Baking soda: Half teaspoon reacts with the buttermilk for tenderness
• Salt: Half teaspoon balances sweetness and enhances flavor
• Unsalted butter: Half cup melted adds richness and moistness use high quality European butter for best taste
• Granulated sugar: One cup sweetness to complement the buttermilk tang
• Eggs: Two large bind and enrich the bread
• Buttermilk: One cup crucial for tenderness and subtle tang whole milk buttermilk preferred for creaminess
• Vanilla extract: Two teaspoons adds warm aroma and depth
• Red and green sprinkles: Half cup jimmies style festive decoration choose jimmies to prevent color bleeding and for a cleaner texture
• Coarse sugar: Optional topping adds crunch and sparkle on top
• Additional sprinkles: For garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare the pan:

Preheat your oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Grease or line a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This step ensures easy removal and a neat shape.

Combine the dry ingredients carefully:

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour baking powder baking soda and salt until fully incorporated. This helps distribute the leavening evenly for a consistent rise.

Mix the wet ingredients smoothly:

In a large bowl whisk the melted butter with the sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and then the buttermilk until all combined for a silky base.

Incorporate the dry into wet without overmixing:

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients stirring gently just until you see no dry flour streaks. Avoid overmixing here to keep the crumb tender.

Fold in the sprinkles delicately:

Gently fold in the red and green jimmies being careful not to break their shape or cause them to bleed. This maintains a clean festive appearance throughout the bread.

Transfer to the pan and add toppings:

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle with coarse sugar or additional sprinkles for a festive finishing touch.

Bake until golden and set:

Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes testing doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center which should come out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

My favorite part of this recipe has to be the colorful jimmies because they brighten the winter mornings in such a simple way. I remember one holiday when my children helped fold in the sprinkles. They were thrilled to see their handiwork in the final loaf which made the entire baking experience even more special.

Storage Tips

Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in wax paper or plastic wrap to maintain freshness for up to three days at room temperature. For longer storage you can freeze the bread wrapped well for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

Greek yogurt can replace buttermilk in equal amounts if you do not have buttermilk at home. Brown sugar adds a mild molasses flavor if you want a richer sweetness instead of granulated sugar. Use dairy free butter alternatives for a vegan friendly version but expect subtle texture changes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve sliced with a pat of butter or cream cheese for a rich accompaniment. It pairs beautifully with fresh berries or a drizzle of honey for extra indulgence. Great alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee to elevate your holiday brunch.

Enjoy this festive quick bread warm or at room temperature for a cheerful holiday treat. It also makes a lovely homemade gift for friends and family.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Comment conserver ce pain moelleux ?

Emballez-le dans un film alimentaire ou du papier sulfurisé à température ambiante pour garder son moelleux 2 à 3 jours.

→ Peut-on remplacer le babeurre ?

Oui, utilisez du lait fermenté ou du lait avec un peu de jus de citron pour une acidité similaire.

→ Comment obtenir une texture tendre ?

Ne pas trop mélanger la pâte après l'ajout de la farine pour éviter un pain dense.

→ Peut-on faire des portions individuelles ?

Oui, la pâte peut être versée dans des moules à muffins et cuite 18 à 22 minutes à 175°C.

→ Pourquoi choisir des paillettes jimmies ?

Elles préservent les couleurs sans fondre ni déteindre pendant la cuisson, contrairement aux nonpareils.