This recipe provides instructions for making a fun and colorful Fruity Pebbles Breakfast Bread, a sweet and slightly cake-like loaf that incorporates the iconic crispy rice cereal both in the batter and as a vibrant topping. This bread is a delightful way to start the day or enjoy as a whimsical snack, appealing to both children and adults with its nostalgic flavor and cheerful appearance. The texture is soft and tender, similar to a pound cake, studded with the crunchy and slightly fruity cereal that softens a bit during baking. The top crust gets slightly golden and provides a pleasant contrast to the moist interior, further enhanced by the colorful and sugary glaze that binds the Fruity Pebbles topping. This bread is easy to make and requires no special equipment, making it a perfect baking project for a fun weekend or a creative way to use up leftover cereal.
The base of the Fruity Pebbles Breakfast Bread is a simple batter made with all-purpose flour, which provides structure to the loaf. Baking powder acts as the leavening agent, giving the bread a light and airy crumb. Salt balances the sweetness of the sugar and enhances the other flavors. Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the bread, and eggs contribute to the richness, moisture, and binding of the ingredients. Melted butter or oil adds tenderness and flavor to the loaf. Milk provides moisture and helps to create a smooth batter. Vanilla extract enhances the overall sweetness and adds a warm, familiar flavor. The star ingredient, Fruity Pebbles cereal, is folded into the batter, distributing its colorful crunch and fruity taste throughout the bread.
The topping is a key element of this recipe, both for its visual appeal and added texture and flavor. More Fruity Pebbles cereal is generously sprinkled over the top of the batter before baking, creating a colorful and slightly crunchy crust. After baking, a simple glaze is typically drizzled over the top to help the remaining Fruity Pebbles adhere and to add an extra touch of sweetness and shine. This glaze is usually made from powdered sugar mixed with a small amount of milk or liquid, creating a smooth and pourable consistency.
The baking process involves pouring the prepared batter into a greased loaf pan and baking it in a preheated oven until it is golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time will vary depending on your oven and the size of the loaf pan. Once baked, the bread is allowed to cool in the pan for a short period before being transferred to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bottom of the bread from becoming soggy.
The Fruity Pebbles Breakfast Bread is best enjoyed sliced and can be served as is or with a pat of butter. Its vibrant colors and sweet, fruity flavor make it a fun and unique addition to any breakfast or snack spread. It’s also a great way to bring a bit of childhood nostalgia to the table. The image shows a loaf of breakfast bread on a white rectangular plate. The bread has a light-colored crumb studded with colorful pieces of Fruity Pebbles cereal. The top of the loaf is also covered with a layer of the cereal, which appears to be held in place by a clear or light-colored glaze. A slice has been cut from the loaf, revealing the colorful interior.
The texture of Fruity Pebbles Breakfast Bread is soft and tender, similar to a pound cake, with pockets of slightly softened yet still somewhat crunchy Fruity Pebbles cereal distributed throughout. The top has a slightly more textured crust due to the baked cereal and glaze.
The flavor profile is predominantly sweet, with a mild vanilla undertone from the batter and a distinctive fruity sweetness from the Fruity Pebbles cereal. The glaze adds an extra layer of simple sugary sweetness that complements the fruity notes.
Fruity Pebbles Breakfast Bread is a sweet loaf made with all-purpose flour, sugar, eggs, and milk, incorporating Fruity Pebbles cereal into the batter and as a colorful topping held together by a sweet glaze.
The preparation involves mixing a basic sweet bread batter, folding in Fruity Pebbles cereal, pouring the batter into a loaf pan, topping with more cereal, baking until golden, cooling, and then drizzling with a powdered sugar glaze.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups Fruity Pebbles cereal, plus more for topping
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Equipment:
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
- Parchment paper (for lining)
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small mixing bowl (for glaze)
- Fork or whisk (for glaze)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. For easier removal, you can also line the pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Fruity Pebbles: Gently fold in 1 ½ cups of Fruity Pebbles cereal into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Pour into Pan and Top: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the top of the batter generously with more Fruity Pebbles cereal.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.
- Cool in Pan: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the bread is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Start with 2 tablespoons of milk and add more, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach a smooth and pourable consistency.
- Drizzle Glaze: Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the prepared glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides. The glaze will help the Fruity Pebbles on top adhere.
- Slice and Serve: Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This Fruity Pebbles Breakfast Bread is best enjoyed at room temperature.
Tips and Variations:
- Cereal Choice: While this recipe specifically calls for Fruity Pebbles, you could experiment with other colorful crispy rice cereals.
- Glaze Variations: You can add a drop of vanilla extract to the glaze for extra flavor. For a thicker glaze, use less milk.
- Add-Ins: Consider adding a sprinkle of colorful sprinkles to the batter or on top of the glaze for extra fun.
- Make Ahead: This bread can be made a day in advance. Store it at room temperature in an airtight container. Glaze just before serving.
- Storage: Leftover bread should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy slices of this bread on its own, with a glass of milk, or even with a light spread of cream cheese or butter.
Enjoy this whimsical and delicious Fruity Pebbles Breakfast Bread! It’s a fun twist on a classic loaf that is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.