Eggnog Bread

When the holiday season nears, grocery store shelves reveal a few tell-tale signs, including candy canes, gingerbread and, of course, eggnog. That favorite seasonal drink is the base of this delicious eggnog bread recipe.

With its creamy texture and unique flavor profile featuring warm spices, eggnog can be used in various holiday recipes, from cocktails to eggnog desserts. This Christmas eggnog bread recipe embraces the beverage’s flavor while creating a wonderfully tender and moist snack. It’s an easy quick bread you can whip up to enjoy with your family during the holiday season, or bake up a storm and wrap the loaves to give as festive gifts for friends. Either way, eggnog bread pairs well with coffee, tea or a glass of your favorite eggnog, spiked or not.

Ingredients for Eggnog Bread

• All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour provides structure and proper texture for this eggnog bread.
• Baking powder: Baking powder helps the loaves rise while baking. Don’t confuse baking powder and baking soda; they’re both leavening agents but act differently in recipes.
• Salt: Just a touch of salt goes a long way. Salt helps balance flavors and contributes to texture.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg: This lightly spiced Christmas eggnog bread recipe features a small amount of both cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Eggs: Eggs play a crucial role in making these mini loaves rise while providing moisture.
• Eggnog: Eggnog is the star of the show in this recipe! It provides both flavor and moisture. While your favorite store-bought eggnog is the simplest option, you can also swap in homemade eggnog.
• Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness while also helping create a light texture.
• Melted butter: Melted butter adds moisture and flavor to create a tender loaf.
• Vanilla and rum extracts: Both vanilla extract and rum extract help flavor this eggnog bread recipe. If you want to use rum instead of rum extract, use 1 tablespoon light or dark rum instead of 2 teaspoons extract.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the oven and pans

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease three 5-3/4x3x2-inch loaf pans.

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Step 3: Combine wet and dry ingredients

In another bowl, beat the eggs, eggnog, sugar, butter and extracts. Stir the mixture of wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until moistened.

Step 4: Bake the loaves

Divide the batter into the three prepared loaf pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the loaves in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks.

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Recipe Variations

• Use real spirits: If you don’t have rum extract in your pantry, you can use the real thing. Swap in rum, brandy or whiskey.
• Spice it up: Get inspired by another holiday cocktail, the Tom and Jerry, by adding a bit more spice to your batter. Try 1/8 teaspoon each of cloves and allspice.
• Add fruit or nuts: Channel a fruit cake-inspired loaf by mixing in candied fruit, chopped pecans or walnuts.
• Make a large loaf: This recipe makes three mini loaves, but you could make one large loaf instead. Pour the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. The baking time will likely be 50 to 60 minutes. Find more baking pan conversions here.

How to Store Eggnog Bread

Proper storage of eggnog bread is important to keep it moist and preserve its flavor. Loaves should be stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag. You can also choose to wrap each loaf individually in storage wrap.

How long does eggnog bread last?

Eggnog bread will last for two days at room temperature or up to five days in the fridge.

Can you freeze eggnog bread?

Yes! Once the loaves are baked and fully cooled, wrap each one in storage wrap and then aluminum foil. Store the eggnog bread in the freezer for up to two months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge.

Eggnog Bread Tips

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How do you easily remove eggnog bread from the pan?

Line each mini loaf pan with parchment to remove the eggnog bread easily from the pan. Drape the parchment a couple of inches over the sides of the pan to form a sling that will allow you to pull out each baked loaf.

Can you glaze eggnog bread?

This eggnog bread can be sliced and served on its own, or you can dress it up even further. Consider making a quick vanilla glaze by combining confectioners’ sugar and milk. Flavor it with an extract such as rum, vanilla or even orange.

How do you wrap mini loaves for gifting?

These little loaves of Christmas eggnog bread make great holiday gifts. Once they are cooled, wrap them in waxed paper, butcher paper or storage wrap. Then, tie a string around each loaf for an extra-special touch.