Name: Eggnog Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 eggs beaten; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup eggnog; 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup powdered sugar sifted; 2 tablespoons eggnog; Dash of nutmeg; Nutmeg for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 36 reviews

If you’re looking for a cozy, festive treat to brighten up your holiday mornings or afternoon coffee breaks, this Eggnog Bread Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s moist, fragrant with nutmeg, and packed with the warm, creamy flavor of eggnog — basically everything you want in a sweet bread during the season. Trust me, once you bake this, you’re going to want to make it a new holiday tradition. Stick around, I’ll share how to get it just right and some fun tweaks too!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Moisture and Spice: The eggnog and butter keep the bread tender while nutmeg adds that classic holiday kick.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Using everyday ingredients means you can whip it up anytime without hunting for anything exotic.
Easy to Customize: Whether you want extra nuts or a boozy boost, this recipe adapts without losing its charm.
Quick and Low Fuss: You’ll have a festive bread in under an hour – perfect for last-minute holiday plans.

Eggnog Bread Christmas Bread Holiday Sweet Bread Festive Baking - A rectangular loaf cake sits on a white rectangular tray over a red cloth with white and blue flower patterns, placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has a golden-brown color and is covered on top with thick, creamy white icing that drips over the edges and pools around the base. The icing is lightly sprinkled with a fine brown powder, likely cinnamon or nutmeg. The scene includes dried flowers blurred in the background and a woman's hand holding a silver knife positioned above the cake. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients here come together like a cozy holiday hug: creamy eggnog and warm spices make it feel decadent, while the flour and baking powder give you that classic loaf texture. Nothing complicated, but every piece matters. Before you start, I like grabbing the freshest eggnog I can find — the richer, the better.

Eggnog Bread Christmas Bread Holiday Sweet Bread Festive Baking - Flat lay of two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy pale yellow eggnog, a small white ceramic bowl with melted golden butter, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a simple mound of all-purpose flour on a white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, and a small white ceramic bowl with additional eggnog for icing, accompanied by a sprinkle of whole nutmeg seeds arranged neatly beside the bowls, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly balanced and symmetrical layout, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Eggs: They provide structure and richness, helping the bread rise and hold together perfectly.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bread just right without overpowering the eggnog flavor.
Eggnog: The star here! It brings moisture, creaminess, and those signature festive spices.
Unsalted Butter: Melted and cooled butter adds tenderness and a silky crumb.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors subtly and ties everything together.
All-purpose Flour: The base of your bread, offering the right balance of structure and softness.
Baking Powder: Helps the bread rise and gives it a nice light texture.
Ground Nutmeg: The warm spice that screams holiday vibes — don’t skimp on this!
Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies all those cozy flavors.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this eggnog bread my own depending on the occasion or mood. Sometimes I toss in chopped pecans for crunch, or a handful of dried cranberries for a tart surprise. You might enjoy it drizzled with a little bourbon-spiked glaze or made dairy-free with coconut milk eggnog — the recipe is very forgiving.

Nutty Variation: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives the bread a lovely texture contrast, which I always appreciate.
Boozy Boost: Stir in a tablespoon of rum or brandy to the batter for an adult twist that deepens the flavors.
Dairy-Free Option: Swap traditional eggnog for almond or coconut milk-based eggnog to keep things vegan-friendly.
Spiced Up: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or cloves for extra warmth if you like a spicier loaf.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Eggnog Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by greasing the bottom of a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan with cooking spray or butter. You want to be sure the bread doesn’t stick, especially because it’s so moist. Then, preheat your oven to 350°F — this gives you enough time to get your ingredients combined without rushing.

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg. Mixing these first ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed, so your bread rises beautifully. Plus, blending the nutmeg here helps its aroma infuse throughout the bread.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, melted and cooled butter, eggnog, and vanilla extract. This part smells heavenly — I always have to resist sneaking a tiny taste! Make sure your butter is cool, or the eggs could scramble.

Step 4: Combine and Bake

Add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients and gently fold until just combined—don’t overmix or the bread may turn dense. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when done. Keep an eye after 30 minutes as oven temperatures vary.

Step 5: Cool and Ice

Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for about 5 minutes to firm up, then invert onto a cooling rack. While the bread cools completely, mix the powdered sugar icing with eggnog a tablespoon at a time until you get a smooth drizzle consistency. Pour the icing over the cooled bread and sprinkle a dusting of nutmeg on top for that signature touch.

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Pro Tips for Making Eggnog Bread Recipe

Cool Your Butter: Make sure melted butter isn’t hot before mixing, or your eggs might scramble ruining the batter’s texture.
Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter until combined, then stop — too much mixing means tough, dense bread.
Test for Doneness: Use a toothpick for accuracy — if it comes out with wet batter, give it more time but watch carefully to avoid over-baking.
Icing Consistency Is Key: Add eggnog slowly to powdered sugar until it’s thick enough to drizzle but not runny for that perfect finish.

How to Serve Eggnog Bread Recipe

Eggnog Bread Christmas Bread Holiday Sweet Bread Festive Baking - A loaf cake with a light brown crust sits on a white rectangular plate against a white marbled surface. The cake is sliced twice, with two visible slices lying flat next to the main loaf. A thick white glaze covers the top of the cake, dripping over the sides and partly onto the plate, with a light dusting of cinnamon on top. The inside of the cake is a soft beige color with a slightly crumbly texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For serving, I usually sprinkle a little extra freshly grated nutmeg on top of the icing—it makes it look and taste extra special. Sometimes, chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of cinnamon add a nice touch. If it’s the holidays, a few festive red cranberries on the side don’t hurt either!

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with hot beverages like mulled cider, coffee, or even a creamy latte. I also love nabbing it alongside warm fruit compotes or apple butter to amp up the comforting vibes.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday brunches, I sometimes slice the bread into bite-sized cubes and serve them on a platter with little bowls of assorted toppings—like cream cheese frosting, honey, or chopped nuts—so guests can customize their bites. It’s interactive and pretty fun! Wrapping a loaf in festive parchment and tying with twine also makes a beautiful homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover eggnog bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. It stays deliciously moist and the spices actually deepen in flavor after a day or two.

Freezing

This eggnog bread freezes beautifully! I slice it, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a zip-top bag. When you want a quick treat, just thaw slices overnight in the fridge or pop directly into the toaster or microwave.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked feel, I like to warm slices gently in the oven at 300°F for about 5-7 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds. A light brush of butter before warming adds extra yum.

FAQs

Can I make eggnog bread without eggnog?

Absolutely! If you don’t have eggnog on hand, you can substitute with a mixture of milk and heavy cream with a pinch of nutmeg and vanilla extract to mimic the flavor. Although it won’t be quite as rich, it still makes a tasty bread.
Is this Eggnog Bread Recipe suitable for freezing?

Yes! This bread freezes well. Just slice and wrap each piece, or freeze the whole loaf tightly covered. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw and warm it slightly to regain that fresh taste.
Can I add nuts or dried fruits to this bread?

Definitely. Chopped pecans, walnuts, or dried cranberries add wonderful texture and flavor. Just fold them into the batter at the end before baking.
How do I know when the bread is done baking?

Use a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, it’s done. If batter clings to the toothpick, it needs more time.

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Bread Recipe has become one of my favorite wintertime goodies because it’s simple, festive, and always brings smiles. I hope you give it a whirl and find, like I did, that it’s the kind of treat you crave all season long—a warm slice paired with a mug of something cozy. It’s an easy way to add a little holiday magic to your kitchen, and once you start sharing it with friends and family, it feels like pure joy. Happy baking!