Oh, the magic of Christmas baking! There’s nothing quite like filling your kitchen with the sweet scent of vanilla and butter while colorful sprinkles dance through your batter. This fun Christmas food recipe has been my go-to festive treat for years—it’s the dessert that makes everyone’s eyes light up when I bring it to holiday gatherings. Simple enough for kids to help with yet special enough to impress your in-laws, these festive treats delight with every cheerful bite.
I still remember the first time I made this recipe—my niece, covered in flour up to her elbows, declared it “the most Christmasy cake ever!” And she wasn’t wrong. The red and green sprinkles create little bursts of holiday joy in every slice. What I love most is how this recipe turns basic pantry ingredients into something extraordinary. It’s become our family’s edible Christmas tradition, as much a part of our holiday as twinkling lights and carols.
The best part? You probably have everything you need already. Just flour, sugar, eggs, and those magical sprinkles transform into a dessert that looks like you spent hours decorating. But shh—our little secret is it comes together faster than wrapping presents!
Why You’ll Love This Fun Christmas Food Recipe
This recipe has stolen hearts at every holiday party I’ve brought it to—and here’s why it’ll become your new favorite too:
- Effortless holiday magic: With just one bowl and basic ingredients, you’re minutes away from a dessert that looks like it came from a fancy bakery
- Instant festive cheer: Those red and green sprinkles aren’t just pretty—they make every slice feel like opening a Christmas present
- Kid-approved fun: Little hands love stirring in the sprinkles (though fair warning—you might need to sweep the floor afterwards!)
- Adaptable crowd-pleaser: Serve it plain for a casual coffee break or dress it up with icing for your fanciest holiday table
Trust me, once you see how quickly this disappears at parties, you’ll understand why I make triple batches every December!
Ingredients for Festive Treats Delight
Gather these simple ingredients – you’ll be amazed how they transform into holiday magic:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (I like mine slightly packed)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes first!)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature works best)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the real stuff – it makes a difference)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder (check it’s fresh!)
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk (2% works in a pinch)
- 1/2 cup jumbo red and green sprinkles (must be the festive colors!)
Pro tip: Measure your sprinkles last – I’ve learned the hard way that excited kids tend to “accidentally” pour extra!
How to Make This Fun Christmas Food Recipe
Okay, let’s make some holiday magic happen! This recipe comes together so easily, but I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to make it absolutely perfect every time.
Mixing the Batter
First things first – get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). Nothing worse than having batter ready and realizing you forgot to turn on the oven!
In a big bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This takes about 2 minutes with a hand mixer – you’ll know it’s ready when it looks like pale yellow clouds. Then beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla. Oh, that vanilla smell already makes it feel like Christmas!
Now, alternate adding the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt) with the milk. I do three additions of dry and two of milk, starting and ending with flour. This keeps everything smooth and prevents overmixing. Finally, gently fold in those gorgeous red and green sprinkles – too much stirring will make them bleed color!
Baking and Cooling
Pour your festive batter into a greased 9-inch square pan and smooth the top. Pop it in the center rack of your preheated oven – this ensures even baking. Set your timer for 25 minutes and resist opening the door!
The cake is done when the edges pull away slightly from the pan and a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Mine usually takes about 28 minutes, but ovens vary. Let it cool completely in the pan – I know it’s tempting, but cutting warm cake makes crumbly messes!
Once cooled, slice into squares and watch everyone’s faces light up when they see those colorful sprinkles inside. Christmas magic in every bite!
Tips for Perfect Festive Treats Delight
After making this recipe dozens of times (my neighbors now expect their annual “sprinkle cake”!), I’ve learned some secrets for absolute perfection:
- Temperature matters: Room-temperature eggs and butter incorporate better—cold ingredients make dense cakes
- Gentle hands win: Overmixing develops gluten—stop folding sprinkles when you still see a few flour streaks
- Extra holiday sparkle: Double the sprinkles if you’re feeling festive (the colors won’t overwhelm the flavor)
- Spice it up: Add ½ tsp cinnamon with the dry ingredients for a warm, cozy twist on the classic
My biggest tip? Hide one piece for yourself—these disappear faster than Santa’s cookies!
Serving and Storing Your Fun Christmas Food
Presentation makes all the difference with this festive treat! I love dusting mine with powdered sugar – it looks like fresh snow on a Christmas village. For special occasions, drizzle with vanilla glaze or cream cheese icing (tinted red and green, of course). Store leftovers in an airtight container – if they last more than a day! The cake stays moist for up to 3 days at room temperature, though I’ve never actually tested that limit… it always vanishes first!
Festive Treats Delight Nutritional Info
Just so you know what you’re indulging in (because Christmas calories don’t count, right?):
- Calories: 220 per slice
- Sugar: 15g
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 3g
Remember, these are estimates—your exact amounts will vary based on ingredients. But hey, it’s the holidays! Let’s focus on the joy, not the numbers.
FAQs About This Fun Christmas Food Recipe
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about this festive treat—here are the answers to the ones I hear most often:
Can I freeze this cake? Absolutely! Wrap cooled slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when those holiday cravings hit!
How can I make it gluten-free? Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend. I’ve had great results with Bob’s Red Mill—just add an extra tablespoon of milk.
My sprinkles bled colors—what happened? Gently fold them in at the very end, and don’t overmix. Also, higher-quality sprinkles tend to hold their color better during baking.
Can I use different sprinkle colors? Of course! While red and green make it Christmasy, rainbow sprinkles work for birthdays, or use pastels for Easter. The recipe stays the same—just the festive look changes!
Share Your Festive Treats Delight
I’d love to see your holiday creations! Snap a photo of your sprinkle-filled masterpiece and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing this recipe spread Christmas cheer in kitchens everywhere!
Print
2-Ingredient Fun Christmas Food Recipe for Festive Treats Delight
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fun and festive Christmas recipe that brings joy to your holiday table. Perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup red and green sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add eggs and vanilla to the butter mixture, then mix well.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and milk, blending until smooth.
- Fold in the sprinkles.
- Pour batter into a greased baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- For extra festive flavor, add 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Decorate with icing for a more festive look.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: fun christmas food recipe festive treats delight