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This moist and tender Eggnog Bread is the quintessential holiday quick bread. With notes of vanilla, nutmeg, and rum, you’ll love it at Christmas brunch, even if you don’t usually like eggnog!

Buttery Eggnog Loaf Bread with Rum Glaze cut into slices

Eggnog, in theory, is the ideal holiday drink (as is Mulled Wine).

It’s pleasantly spiced and so thick and creamy, it practically demands to be thinned out with bourbon or rum.

However, it’s also so incredibly indulgent that every holiday season I crave exactly one tiny glass of eggnog.

No more. No less.

Moist and fluffy eggnog bread drizzled with rum glaze cut into slices on parchment paper

Eggnog bread, however, I can happily devour loaf after loaf without ever growing tired of its warm spices and buttery softness (ditto goes for this Pumpkin Coffee Cake).

In fact, this eggnog bread is so pleasing to nibble, I always designate a permanent “eggnog bread knife” to store with the loaf.

I go back so often to shave off another slice, we’d otherwise run out of clean knives when eggnog bread is in the house!

5 Star Review

“I just made this delicious bread! It was a fantastic way to utilize the last of my eggnog.”

— Abby —

How to Make Eggnog Bread

Reminiscent of pound cake (or this Buttermilk Cake), eggnog bread has a dense, buttery texture.

Enjoy for breakfast with coffee or for dessert on a cold winter night (perhaps with a cup of Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate).

A loaf of moist eggnog bread in a pan with parchment paper

The Ingredients

  • Flour. A 50/50 blend of all-purpose and white whole wheat flour adds whole grain benefits and has a light, mild taste that is nearly imperceptible (I use this blend in many of my favorite quick bread recipes).

Substitution Tip

You may swap the white whole wheat flour for an equal amount of all-purpose flour if you prefer.

  • Eggnog. While eggnog is too over-the-top to drink on a regular basis, it makes a fantastic holiday quick bread ingredient because it adds fat and sweetness for both moisture and tenderness.
  • Butter + Sugar. Makes the bread flavorful and also helps give the eggnog loaf its alluring, plush texture.
  • Eggs. For softness and a tender crumb.
  • Rum. lt wouldn’t be the holidays if someone didn’t try to spike the eggnog.

Substitution Tip

Feel free to swap bourbon or brandy for the rum if you prefer, or simply use additional eggnog if you’d like to keep the bread booze-free.

  • Baking Powder. Give this bread its lift and rise.
  • Vanilla. Complements the rum and enhances the eggnog flavor.
  • Nutmeg. This woodsy, aromatic spice is eggnog’s soulmate (it’s also super yummy in Cream Cheese Banana Bread).

TIP!

I highly recommend grating your own whole nutmeg fresh. Trust me it makes a difference particularly in recipes like this one where the nutmeg is meant to shine.

  • Powdered Sugar. Is mixed together with a bit of rum for the perfect boozy glaze to drizzle over this bread.

The Directions

  1. Cream together the butter and sugar. Then beat in the eggs and the vanilla. Stir together the dry ingredients.
  2. Gradually add the flour, eggnog, and rum in an alternating fashion. Transfer to a greased and parchment-lined loaf pan.
  3. Bake the eggnog bread at 350 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes.
  4. Mix up the glaze. When the loaf is mostly cooled, drizzle over the loaf. ENJOY!
A tender loaf of homemade eggnog bread with glaze

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Leftover eggnog loaf can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze. Eggnog bread may be wrapped tightly with a double layer of plastic and foil and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and then let come to room temperature before serving.

What to Serve with Eggnog Bread

Glazed eggnog bread recipe cut into slices

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

I’m glad my eggnog limit only applies to its liquid form because it’s time for another slice loaf of eggnog bread!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Eggnog Bread with Dairy Free Eggnog?

I have not tried making this recipe with a dairy free egg nog alternative so it would be an experiment to try this swap. However, I imagine it would work. If you attempt, I’d love to hear about your results.

What Does Eggnog Taste Like?

The best way to describe the taste and consistency of eggnog is melted vanilla ice cream or an unset custard that’s spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or cloves. It’s very rich and ultra-creamy.

Can I Mix Cranberries Into This Eggnog Loaf?

Great Idea! I have not tried any mix-ins myself, but I could see 1/2 cup of dried cranberries, cherries, or even raisins all tasting fantastic in this bread. Pecans or walnuts would be another consideration to try. (Be sure to check out Cranberry Orange Muffins.)

Eggnog Bread

4.92 from 12 votes
This moist eggnog bread recipe with rum glaze tastes like the holidays with flavors of nutmeg, vanilla, and rum baked into a tender loaf.

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings: 10 slices; makes (1) 8×4-inch loaf

Ingredients
  

For the Eggnog Bread:

For the Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (4 ounces)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rum or brandy or bourbon (whichever you used in the loaf), or eggnog

Instructions
 

  • Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan, then line it with parchment paper so that some of the paper hangs out the sides like handles. Lightly grease the pan once more, then set it aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute and scraping down the bowl after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt.
  • With the mixer running on low speed, add one-third of the flour mixture, then half of the eggnog and all of the rum, the next one-third of the flour mixture, the remaining half of the eggnog, then the final one-third of the flour. Fully incorporate the ingredients between additions before adding the next. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake the eggnog bread until pale golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan by lifting with the parchment handles. Place on a cooling rack.
  • When the loaf is mostly cooled but still warm to the touch, whisk together the glaze ingredients (powdered sugar and rum/brandy/bourbon or eggnog) in a small bowl.  
  • Drizzle the glaze over the loaf, then allow the loaf to stand until the glaze is set and dry. Slice and serve.

Notes

  • TO STORE: Leftover eggnog bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • TO FREEZE: Eggnog bread may be wrapped tightly with plastic and foil and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and then let come to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 10)Calories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 57mgPotassium: 104mgFiber: 2gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 194IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 1mg

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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20 Comments

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        1. I’m not sure Kellie, I haven’t tested this out in a bread machine before. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!

  1. I just made this delicious bread to start 2017!!!! It was a fantastic way to utilize the last of my eggnog and you were right the fresh nutmeg made it extra yummy. 5 stars

    1. Whooooo hoooo! I’m so glad that you loved this bread Abby, and that you sprung for fresh nutmeg. I really think it makes the bread special. Happy new year!

      1. Ha! Making this again today. My husband raved about it and it will make the inevitable return back to work easier to bear.5 stars

  2. Hi! Just stumbled across this today…do you think it would be yummy with cranberries added in, or too much?

    Love your recipes! Haven’t let me down yet!

  3. Hi Erin, I only have whole wheat flour. Would it be possible to make it without the all-purpose or is that just silly.

    1. Josy, the bread will be VERY dense if you do that, so I’d try to get some AP if you can (or just embrace having a very dense bread!)

    1. Hi Courtney! I’ve only tested this recipe as written but you could definitely experiment with making this into muffins. If you try it out, let me know how it goes!