Description
Festive holiday spirit springs to life in this Christmas Eggnog Bread, blending traditional seasonal flavors with comforting bakery magic. Warm spices and rich eggnog create a delightful treat that will make holiday mornings feel magical for you.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup eggnog
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Leavening and Spices:
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Optional Add-ins:
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon to eliminate any lumps and create a uniform dry mixture.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the bread.
- Whisk the eggs into the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, incorporating fully after each addition to create a silky, well-blended batter.
- Gently fold the eggnog into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to avoid overworking the batter, which could result in a tough bread.
- Fold in the vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even surface.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, slice and serve, enjoying the festive flavors of this holiday-inspired quick bread.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother creaming and better incorporation with sugar, creating a more tender bread texture.
- Swap out traditional eggnog with dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk for a lighter, vegan-friendly version that still captures holiday essence.
- Test bread doneness by gently pressing the center – it should spring back slightly and not leave an indentation, indicating perfect baking.
- Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer preservation without losing moisture or flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 293
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 158 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg