Easy Christmas Eggnog Bread Recipe (Great for Gifting)

If you’ve ever wished you could “grab a slice” of the holidays, this Christmas Eggnog Bread comes pretty close. It’s soft, tender, and full of warm nutmeg and vanilla — like a slice of Christmas morning.

Eggnog gives this quick bread its rich flavor and golden color, while a simple eggnog glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness. It’s great for brunch, sharing with friends, or wrapping up mini loaves for gifts.

This easy recipe fills the whole house with that unmistakable “something smells good!” holiday aroma. A neighbor stopped in yesterday after we’d been baking, and that was the first thing he said when he walked through the door.

I highly recommend the rum extract. It’s not a main ingredient, but it really adds to the recipe. The ends of loaf crisp up, like biscotti, making them perfect for dipping in coffee (or more eggnog).

How to Make Christmas Eggnog Bread

Eggnog bread is as simple as it is festive — no yeast, no fancy tools, just a bowl, a whisk, and a loaf pan. You can mix it together in about 10 minutes, and fill your home with the warm aroma of nutmeg and vanilla.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated is great if you have it)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup butter (softened)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon rum extract (optional, but adds authentic flavor)
• 1 cup eggnog (store-bought or homemade eggnog)
• ½ cup chopped nuts or white chocolate chips (optional)

Optional eggnog glaze:

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 teaspoons eggnog
• Pinch of nutmeg
• A drop or two of rum extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prep pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. This keeps the leavening even and prevents clumps later.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla and rum extract.
4. Add wet and dry ingredients: Alternate adding the dry mixture and eggnog to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Stir gently until just combined — overmixing makes quick breads tough.
5. Add mix-ins (optional): Fold in nuts or white chocolate chips if using.
6. Bake: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the loaf is golden brown.
7. Cool and glaze: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, whisk together powdered sugar, eggnog, nutmeg, and rum extract. Drizzle over the top and let set before slicing.

Tips for Success

• Use full-fat eggnog for the richest flavor and tender crumb.
• Freshly grated nutmeg adds a noticeable flavor boost — worth the extra step!
• Avoid overbaking: The bread should spring back lightly when pressed in the center.
• Make-ahead option: Bake up to two days in advance, wrap tightly, and glaze before serving.
• For gifts: Bake in mini loaf pans (5¾x3¼ inches) for 25–30 minutes. Wrap in parchment, tie with baker’s twine, and add a festive tag.

Variations

• Eggnog Pecan Bread: Stir ½ cup chopped pecans into the batter and sprinkle a few on top before baking.
• Cranberry Eggnog Bread: Fold in ½ cup chopped dried cranberries for a pop of color and tartness.
• Spiced Eggnog Loaf: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of cloves for deeper flavor.
• Eggnog Muffins: Bake in a greased muffin tin for 18–20 minutes. Perfect for brunch trays!

Storage

• Store wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate up to a week.
• For longer storage, freeze up to 3 months (glaze after thawing).
• To refresh, warm slices briefly in a low oven before serving.

Serving Ideas

Slice and serve warm with butter or cream cheese. Toast lightly for breakfast alongside coffee or tea. Make it dessert-worthy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle.

FAQs

Wrapping It Up

This Christmas Eggnog Bread is simple, festive, and full of flavor. Whether you’re baking a single loaf for your own table or a batch of minis for friends and neighbors, it’s an easy way to share a little homemade holiday cheer.

And if you’ve got leftover eggnog in the fridge after the festivities, this bread is the perfect excuse to make one more cozy recipe before the holiday season winds down.

More Holiday Recipes

Holiday gatherings are better with homemade goodness. Here are some more of our favorite holiday recipes.

Old-Fashioned Christmas Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Christmas Banana Bread

Wassail

Reindeer Print Cookies (Chocolate Coffee Cookies)

Cozy Mulled Apple Cider

Christmas Wreath Bread

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This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie grew up in the kitchen, learning baking and home cooking from her momma. At age 15, she and her mom and two sisters created Irene’s Custom Cakes & Catering. This was her summer job through most of high school and college.