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Birthday Cake Bread (With Buttermilk Glaze)

Easy Home Cooking
This festive birthday cake bread is a tender loaf bursting with almond flavor and colorful sprinkles, then topped with a silky buttermilk glaze and cheerful nonpareils. It’s easy to make, sliceable like quick bread, and delivers that classic birthday cake vibe without the need for layers or frosting.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Cool Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings 10 slices
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

Bread

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ cup sprinkles

Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 3 tablespoons buttermilk plus more as needed
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • Nonpareils for topping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5-inch aluminum loaf pan with parchment.
  • In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a second bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, butter, and almond extract.
  • Add wet mixture to dry and stir until just combined. Fold in sprinkles.
  • Pour batter into pan and bake 45–50 minutes.
  • Cool 5 minutes in pan, then transfer to rack to cool fully.
  • See full steps with tips & photos → https://wimpysdiner.net/birthday-cake-bread/

Notes

  • Use jimmies (long sprinkles) in the batter to avoid bleeding colors.
  • Almond extract gives this bread a cake-like flavor, but you can swap for vanilla.
  • Glaze sets best when loaf is completely cool.