Eggnog Bread has all the creamy, spicy goodness of eggnog in a quick bread. Pecans add their nutty crunch and buttery flavor to it all. Top the loaf with an eggnog glaze and a sprinkle of nutmeg, and it's like eating a favorite holiday drink. This eggnog loaf cake belongs on your holiday table, and makes a great gift!
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[November, 2021: I've reworked the recipe and updated this post with all new pictures. Enjoy!]
Why this recipe works
- Eggnog in the batter provides a creamy and spicy flavor, and pecans add a pleasing crunch and buttery flavor
- The glaze emphasizes the eggnog flavor even more
- Made without the glaze, eggnog bread is safe to use with homemade eggnog because any raw egg and/or alcohol are baked out
‘Tis the season for eggnog, especially homemade eggnog. It makes celebrating the holidays extra special for me.
I love this creamy, spicy (and hopefully spiked) treat, both as a drink and baked into my favorite pastries.
Eggnog Scones are one way to savor the flavor. A holiday Eggnog Bread is just as tasty, studded with pecans and drizzled with an eggnog glaze.
Yummmm…
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A tried and true holiday quick bread
Eggnog quick bread is a cake that’s leavened with baking soda or baking powder and baked in a standard loaf pan.
Quick bread recipes vary far and wide in their flavoring options, but at heart they are a form of pound cake. Some of my favorites holiday quick bread recipes are Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, and Sourdough Pumpkin Cake.
I've had this eggnog bread recipe for many years, originally cut out of the December 1989 edition of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.
Wow, how time flies.
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make this eggnog bread recipe:
Ingredient Notes
Eggnog: Homemade eggnog made in the blender is quick and easy to make. Just combine all the eggnog ingredients in a blender, pulse a few times, and you're ready to roll! And it's safe for those that don't eat raw eggs since you'll be baking the egg yolks. It's your choice whether to spike it or not. Alternatively, commercially made eggnog is fine for an eggnog loaf recipe, and you can use a dairy-free eggnog if you wish.
However, remember that the eggnog glaze hasn't been cooked. Pregnant women and toddlers shouldn't have uncooked eggnog in case of salmonella concerns from the raw eggs, and any alcohol will still be present.
Pecans: The pecans should be coarsely chopped so that they're easy to bite into. You can also add ½ cup dried cranberries or golden raisins instead of or in addition to the pecans. For a spirited kick, if the eggnog you’re using is alcoholic, soak the dried fruit in the same spirit for ½ hour prior to using them. Strain them and fold them into the batter. Again, this becomes an adults-only treat.
See the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make eggnog bread
Like all quick breads, this festive bread recipe comes together...uhm...quickly. It makes enough batter for one loaf in a standard loaf pan, and can be easily doubled.
Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients
Stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt (photo 1).
Step 2: Whisk the wet ingredients together
Whisk together the eggnog, egg, and oil (photo 2)
Step 3: Combine the wet & dry mixtures
Add the eggnog mixture to the flour mixture, stirring just until combined (photo 3).
Step 4: Add the pecans
Fold in the chopped pecans (photo 4).
Step 5: Bake the bread
Spray a standard loaf pan with baking spray, line it with parchment paper, then spray the paper. Pour in the eggnog bread batter.
Bake at 350°F for 60 to 70 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean (photo 5). Cover with foil after 50 minutes if bread browns too quickly.
Notice the binder clips on the parchment paper? That helps to keep it from drooping into the batter as it bakes.
Step 6: Make the glaze
Mix together the powdered sugar, eggnog, and vanilla extract. Keep adding eggnog in one tablespoon increments until the glaze is smooth and thick (photo 6).
Step 7: Glaze the eggnog loaf
Drizzle the glaze generously over the loaf. Dust it with nutmeg, then allow the glaze to set before serving (photo 7).
Storage and make-ahead instructions
Storage instructions: Eggnog Bread will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. This cake also makes a great gift and ships well!
Make-ahead instructions: For a richer flavor and easier slicing, make the quick bread the day before serving.
Questions asked and answered
Here are some questions you might have...
Since eggnog is made with a similar base to frozen custard, it's no wonder that it tastes like a scoop of rich, eggy, and subtly spicy melted ice cream.
Yes! Homemade eggnog is easy and quick to make using the blender method (since you'll be baking the egg yolks). Just combine all the eggnog ingredients in a blender, pulse a few times, and you're ready to roll! Any alcohol will be baked out.
However, remember that the eggnog glaze hasn't been cooked. Pregnant women and toddlers shouldn't have uncooked eggnog in case of salmonella concerns from the raw eggs, and any alcohol will still be present.
Yes! The flavor of diary-free eggnog products (like almond milk eggnog) is very close, so you can substitute it in without a problem.
Dress up your quick bread for the holidays
The flavor of this easy eggnog loaf is rich and spicy, and the pecans add a pleasing crunch and buttery flavor which complements the eggnog nicely.
The loaf is delicious unadorned with glaze, but the eggnog glaze and sprinkle of nutmeg just adds to the flavor and overall presentation.
Eggnog loaf cake is perfect for an afternoon tea for the holidays. And since it ships well, it makes a great hostess gift for Christmas or Hanukkah, either large or as mini loaves.
Eggnog Bread brings all the goodness of eggnog to your dessert table. And having a wee dram along with a slice just adds to the seasonal celebration.
All together now...Happy Holidays!
Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!
Tammy
Related Recipes
Most quick bread & muffin recipes can be made as loaves or bundt cakes just by interchanging between bundt pans, loaf pans, and muffin pans. You aren't limited to one type of presentation! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
I hope you like this recipe! Do you have any questions I can help with? Let me know! Or, if you made the recipe, I'd love for you to leave a comment and rating. Thanks!
Glazed Pecan Eggnog Bread
Ingredients
For the quick bread
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1¾ cups eggnog, homemade or store bought, see Recipe Notes
- 1 large egg, beaten, at room temperature
- ½ cup canola oil
- ½ cup pecans, coarsely chopped, see Recipe Notes
For the glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 to 3 teaspoons eggnog
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ground nutmeg, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F. Spray a standard loaf pan with baking spray, line with parchment paper, then spray the paper.
- Make the quick bread: In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. In a medium bowl combine the eggnog, egg, and canola oil.
- Add the eggnog mixture to the flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Fold in the chopped pecans.
- Pour into prepared pan and bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover with foil after 50 minutes if bread browns too quickly.
- Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.
- When bread is completely cool, wrap in plastic wrap and store overnight.
- Make the glaze: Sift the powdered sugar to remove any lumps.
- For the glaze: In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, eggnog, and vanilla extract. Keep adding eggnog in one tablespoon increments until smooth glaze is smooth and thick.
- Drizzle the glaze generously over the loaf. Dust it with nutmeg, then allow the glaze to set before serving.
- Storage instructions: Eggnog Bread will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving. This cake also makes a great gift and ships well!
- Make-ahead instructions: For a richer flavor and easier slicing, make the quick bread the day before serving.
Logan says
This was delicious! And a great way to use up the rest of my eggnog! Seems like a new holiday tradition.
Mary Anne Shafer says
A delightful addition to your Christmas baking. I make spiced walnuts and pecans for friends and neighbors as part of my gift giving so I chopped some of these up but did not use raisins. What a flavor! The next time I make I will use spiced walnuts and cranberries. This recipe is a must try ❤️
Tammy Spencer says
What a great idea! I love the thought of using spiced nuts. Thanks for sharing!