Are you an eggnog lover? As the festive season approaches, the warmth and comforting spices of eggnog become an undeniable delight. If you find yourself eagerly awaiting that seasonal beverage, then prepare to fall in love with this **Holiday Eggnog Quick Bread**. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of holiday flavors baked into a moist, tender loaf that’s perfect for any festive occasion, from a cozy Christmas morning breakfast to a delightful gathering with loved ones.

Contents

Holiday Eggnog Quick Bread: Your Go-To Festive Recipe

There’s something uniquely enchanting about the taste of eggnog, and when infused into a tender quick bread, it transforms into an irresistible treat. This recipe for **Holiday Eggnog Quick Bread** captures all the beloved flavors of the classic holiday drink, offering a delightful twist that will quickly become a staple in your seasonal baking repertoire. Imagine the comforting aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, and a hint of rum filling your kitchen – that’s the magic this quick bread brings to your home. It’s an ideal choice for those who crave the rich, creamy essence of eggnog but prefer it in a comforting, bakeable form.

Why This Easy Eggnog Bread Recipe is a Holiday Must-Have

Quick breads are a baker’s best friend, especially during the hectic holiday season. Unlike yeast breads that demand precise kneading and multiple rising times, quick breads like this **easy eggnog bread** require no yeast, no extensive kneading, and minimal rising time. This means you can whip up a batch with ease, leaving you more precious time to enjoy the festivities and spend with family and friends. This particular recipe stands out for its straightforward preparation and consistent delivery of maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

The star of the show, beyond the bread itself, is undoubtedly the **Eggnog Glaze**. This luxurious topping isn’t just an afterthought; it’s an essential component that amplifies the eggnog flavor, adding an extra layer of sweetness, moisture, and a beautiful sheen to the loaf. Its mellow, delicious character provides the perfect crowning glory, transforming this humble quick bread into a show-stopping holiday dessert, an elegant brunch centerpiece, or a wonderful accompaniment to your afternoon coffee or tea.

Enhance Your Eggnog Quick Bread with Optional Additions

While this **eggnog quick bread** is deliciously satisfying on its own, it truly shines with a few optional additions that enhance both its flavor and texture. For instance, I highly recommend incorporating dried cranberries into the batter. Their bright, tartness provides a wonderful counterpoint to the sweet, rich eggnog base, adding a delightful zing that keeps each bite exciting and fresh. Cranberries also lend a beautiful pop of festive color, making the loaf even more appealing.

If you enjoy a bit of crunch and a subtle nutty flavor, a sprinkle of pecan bits (or chopped walnuts) on top before baking or mixed directly into the batter adds a delightful texture and a hint of earthy depth. The slight saltiness of roasted pecans, in particular, can beautifully balance the sweetness of the bread and glaze. These small additions elevate the bread from simple to truly sublime, making it even more memorable for your holiday table.

This versatile **Christmas quick bread** fits seamlessly into any holiday spread. Serve it for a festive Christmas breakfast, perhaps alongside your favorite hot cocoa or freshly brewed coffee. It makes a delightful addition to any holiday brunch buffet, offering a unique flavor profile that stands out from traditional muffins or pastries. Beyond breakfast and brunch, it’s equally wonderful as a comforting dessert after a holiday meal, a perfect afternoon snack with tea, or a thoughtful homemade gift for friends, family, or neighbors. For charming individual portions perfect for holiday gifting or party favors, consider baking the batter in mini loaf pans or muffin tins, adjusting the baking time accordingly.

Beyond the Loaf: More Eggnog Desserts to Savor

If this delightful quick bread has ignited your passion for eggnog, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of eggnog-inspired treats waiting to be explored, allowing you to infuse that distinctive holiday flavor into various sweet creations. For those who can’t get enough of this festive beverage, consider trying these other delightful recipes that celebrate the unique taste of eggnog:

Easy Glazed Eggnog Drop Cookies: These simple-to-make and utterly addictive cookies are perfect for holiday platters, cookie exchanges, or just a sweet treat.
Easy Eggnog Cheesecake: A creamy, rich, and decadent dessert that brings a sophisticated touch of eggnog flavor to any holiday meal or special occasion.
Christmas Eggnog Cranberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Rum Sauce: A warm, comforting classic reimagined with a rich eggnog twist, this bread pudding is the ultimate cozy holiday dessert, especially when topped with a luscious vanilla rum sauce.

Crafting Your Holiday Eggnog Quick Bread: Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the exciting first step to creating this magical holiday treat. For the best results, ensure all your wet ingredients, especially eggs and eggnog, are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify better, creating a smoother, more uniform batter and a more tender final product.

For the Eggnog Bread:

2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup eggnog (using full-fat eggnog is recommended for maximum richness and flavor)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and allowed to cool slightly
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons rum extract (for a stronger, more authentic rum flavor, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of rum extract with 1 teaspoon of pure rum)
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (while ground nutmeg works, freshly grated offers a far superior aroma and more intense flavor)
Optional: ⅔ cup dried cranberries (you can also substitute with other dried fruits like golden raisins, chopped dried apricots, or even candied ginger for a different twist)
Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for mixing into the batter or sprinkling on top before baking for added crunch

For the Eggnog Glaze:

This simple yet impactful glaze is the crowning glory of your eggnog quick bread. It adds a final touch of moisture, irresistible sweetness, and that essential eggnog punch that brings all the flavors together.

1 cup confectioners’ sugar (also widely known as icing sugar or powdered sugar)
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (a small pinch of cinnamon can also be added for extra warmth)
1 to 4 tablespoons eggnog (the amount needed will depend entirely on your desired glaze consistency – start with less and add more gradually)

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Bake Holiday Eggnog Quick Bread

Baking quick bread is an enjoyable and remarkably straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps carefully for a perfectly moist, tender, and flavorful loaf every single time.

Eggnog Bread Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan by greasing and lightly flouring it, or lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer or whisk, beat the room temperature eggs until they are light and slightly frothy. Gradually add the granulated sugar, continuing to beat until the mixture is well combined and slightly pale.
Pour in the room temperature eggnog, the melted and slightly cooled butter, vanilla extract, and rum extract. Mix on low speed or by hand until just combined. It is crucial not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can lead to a tough quick bread.
In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and nutmeg. This step ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients, preventing pockets of unmixed powder.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until *just* combined. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly normal and preferred over an overmixed, smooth batter. Overmixing develops gluten, which can result in a dense and dry quick bread.
If you are using them, gently fold in the ⅔ cup dried cranberries and any optional chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) into the batter.
Pour the prepared batter evenly into your greased and floured (or parchment-lined) loaf pan.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer, toothpick, or thin knife inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. If the top of the bread begins to brown too quickly before the center is cooked, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This cooling period helps the bread to firm up slightly, preventing it from breaking when transferred. After 10-15 minutes, carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
While the bread cools, take this time to prepare your irresistible eggnog glaze.

Eggnog Glaze Preparation:

In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar and the ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg.
Gradually whisk in the eggnog, starting with 1 tablespoon at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency. For a thicker glaze that coats the bread nicely, use less eggnog; for a thinner, more pourable glaze that drizzles easily, add a bit more. Aim for a smooth, pourable consistency that is not too watery.
Once the bread has cooled sufficiently (it should be cool to the touch or just slightly warm, but not hot, to prevent the glaze from melting and soaking in completely), generously drizzle the prepared eggnog glaze over the top of the loaf.
Optional: For an extra festive touch and added texture, immediately sprinkle a handful of additional dried cranberries and chopped pecans or walnuts over the glaze while it is still wet. This allows them to adhere beautifully.
Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before proudly slicing and serving your delicious **Homemade Eggnog Bread**.

Expert Tips for Perfect Eggnog Quick Bread Every Time

Achieving a perfect quick bread is simple with a few key considerations:

Do Not Overmix: This is arguably the most crucial rule for baking quick breads! Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which will result in a tough, chewy, and dry loaf instead of a tender, moist one. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Always ensure your eggs and eggnog are at room temperature. They emulsify more smoothly with other ingredients, creating a more uniform batter and a finer crumb texture in your finished bread.
Freshly Grated Nutmeg: While pre-ground nutmeg is convenient, freshly grated nutmeg offers a far more vibrant, superior aroma and flavor profile, truly enhancing the authentic eggnog experience in your bread.
Proper Pan Preparation: Thoroughly greasing and flouring your loaf pan, or using a parchment paper sling, is essential for ensuring your beautifully baked bread releases easily from the pan without sticking or tearing.
Test for Doneness Accurately: Always rely on the toothpick test. Insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the very center of the loaf; if it comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached, your bread is perfectly baked.
Patience During Cooling: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for the recommended 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This critical step allows the bread to firm up slightly, preventing it from crumbling or breaking apart when you handle it. Furthermore, apply the glaze to a mostly or fully cooled loaf to prevent it from melting away or soaking excessively into the bread.
Storage Guidelines: Store your cooled and glazed quick bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain its freshness and moisture. For longer storage, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week. For an even longer shelf life, slice the bread and freeze individual portions in an airtight freezer bag or container for convenient thawing and enjoyment whenever a craving strikes.

Flavorful Variations for Your Festive Quick Bread

This **festive quick bread** recipe is wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to experiment and customize. Feel free to play with different additions and flavors to make it uniquely your own and suit any preference:

Chocolate Chip Eggnog Bread: For a delightful indulgence, fold in ½ to 1 cup of white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips into the batter. The combination of chocolate and eggnog is surprisingly delicious.
Citrus Zest Infusion: Add 1-2 teaspoons of fresh orange zest or lemon zest to the batter. The bright, fragrant citrus notes pair beautifully with cranberries and enhance the overall holiday spice profile.
Spice it Up Further: Beyond nutmeg, consider adding a pinch of ground cinnamon, a touch of ground cloves, or a whisper of allspice to the batter to deepen the holiday spice profile and add more warmth.
Alternative Nuts: Instead of pecans, try walnuts, slivered almonds, or even candied walnuts for extra flair and a different texture. Toasted nuts always provide a superior flavor.
Rum Soaked Delight: For an adult-friendly version, prepare a simple rum syrup (by simmering equal parts rum and sugar until dissolved). Brush this syrup over the warm bread after it comes out of the oven and before glazing for an extra boozy kick.
Cream Cheese Glaze: If you prefer a tangier, richer topping, whip up a classic cream cheese glaze instead of the simple eggnog glaze. A cream cheese glaze with a touch of eggnog would be divine!

More Quick Bread Ideas for Holiday Baking

If you’re now inspired by the ease and deliciousness of quick breads, here are a few more fantastic recipes perfect for the holiday season, cozy weekends, or any time of year when you crave a homemade treat:

Pumpkin Walnut Bread: A quintessential autumn and winter bake, this loaf is rich with comforting pumpkin spice flavors and features crunchy walnuts for a delightful texture.
Old-Fashioned Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Pound Cake: While technically a pound cake, its dense, moist crumb and effortless preparation make it akin to a grand quick bread, elegant enough for any holiday table.
Awesome Country Apple Fritter Bread: This bread tastes just like a classic apple fritter, but in convenient loaf form – pure comfort, bursting with apple and cinnamon, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Country Cinnamon Swirl Buttermilk Loaf: A delightful swirl of sweet cinnamon sugar runs through this incredibly moist buttermilk loaf, making it a family favorite.
Supreme Chocolate & Peanut Butter Banana Loaf: A decadent combination that takes humble banana bread to a whole new level with the addition of chocolate and peanut butter – a true crowd-pleaser.

This **Holiday Eggnog Quick Bread** is truly a magical treat that embodies the warmth and spirit of the festive season. Its comforting flavors, ease of preparation, and wonderful versatility make it an absolute must-bake addition to your holiday traditions. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones, gifting it to cherished friends, or simply savoring a quiet slice with your morning coffee, this delightful quick bread is guaranteed to bring a smile and spread holiday cheer. So, go ahead, gather your ingredients, get baking, and make this holiday season even sweeter!