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!

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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.

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).

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

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

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Stand Mixer. Makes whipping up quick breads, like eggnog bread, a breeze.
- Loaf Pan. For eggnog bread, Apple Bread, Healthy Banana Bread, and more.
- Parchment Paper. Will change your life if you enjoy spending time in the kitchen.
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
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.
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.
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
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Ingredients
For the Eggnog Bread:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick), at room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour, or substitute additional all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (it’s an amazing flavor upgrade to grate your own nutmeg. I use this zester to do it)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup prepared eggnog (I used Trader Joe’s light eggnog)
- 1 tablespoon rum or brandy or bourbon (or substitute an additional tablespoon eggnog)
For the Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar (4 ounces)
- 1 ½ 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
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Is this a moist bread I did not see any oil in it?
It is VERY moist Sharon! The eggnog and butter take the place of oil. I hope you love it!
Think I could make the dough in a breadmachine?
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!
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.
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!
Ha! Making this again today. My husband raved about it and it will make the inevitable return back to work easier to bear.
Nothing like baked goods to make the work week better :) Thanks Abby!
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!
Nicole, I think that sounds delicious! Save me a slice :) And THANK YOU! I’m so glad you enjoy them!
Is one tablespoon baking powder correct?
Yes Mary. I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Erin, I only have whole wheat flour. Would it be possible to make it without the all-purpose or is that just silly.
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!)
I embraced having dense bread and it was still delicious! Thanks.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Josy! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Really tasty, but didn’t raise much.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the flavor, Pam! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Do you think this could be turned into muffins? I know most quick breads can be but just want to be sure.
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!
Can this recipe be made in mini loaf pans?
Hi Reba, I haven’t tried it myself but it seems like it could work. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!