The Comfort Spoon

 

***

Your New Favorite Holiday Tradition Is Waiting in the Oven

Is there anything quite like the smell of something baking in the oven during the holidays? It’s more than just a scent; it’s a feeling. It’s warmth, it’s comfort, it’s a giant, delicious hug for your entire household. And if I had to bottle up that feeling into one single recipe, it would be this incredibly moist, fragrant, and downright magical Christmas Eggnog Bread.

Imagine this: you wake up on a crisp December morning. The tree is twinkling, there’s a chill in the air, and you’re craving something special with your coffee. Instead of something complicated, you whip up a simple batter that fills your kitchen with the quintessential aromas of the season—rich nutmeg, creamy eggnog, and a hint of cozy warmth. In under an hour, you’re pulling a gorgeous, golden loaf from the oven, drizzling it with a sweet glaze, and creating a moment of pure, unadulterated joy.

This isn’t just bread, my friend. It’s everything we love about Christmas, baked into a loaf. It’s perfect for holiday breakfasts, fantastic for gifting to neighbors and friends (those mini loaves are killer for this!), and it pairs absolutely perfectly with a warm mug of coffee, tea, or—you guessed it—a little extra eggnog. This recipe is tested, loved, and designed to be completely stress-free. So, let’s grab our mixing bowls and turn this ordinary day into a delicious one, together!

The Year the Eggnog Saved Christmas Morning

Print

I have to share a little story with you. Years ago, when my kids were much younger, I ambitiously planned an elaborate Christmas morning brunch. There was going to be a strata, homemade cinnamon rolls, the works. But, as life with little ones often goes, Christmas Eve ran late, Santa’s assembly required more… ahem… “adult beverages” than anticipated, and I woke up on the 25th completely exhausted and utterly behind schedule.

Panic started to set in. The fridge was full of ingredients, but my energy was at zero. Then I saw it: an almost-full carton of eggnog. A memory flashed of my grandma making a simple, spiced cake. I thought, “What if I…?” I scrapped the complicated plan, threw this quick bread batter together in about ten minutes, and popped it in the oven. The smell alone revived my holiday spirit. That loaf, warm from the oven and slathered with a little glaze, was an absolute hit. It was tender, it was festive, and it taught me a valuable lesson: the most memorable holiday moments aren’t about perfection; they’re about joy, ease, and sharing something made with love. This bread has been our non-negotiable Christmas morning treat ever since.

Gathering Your Cozy Kitchen Lineup

Here’s your shopping list! The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. These are mostly pantry staples, plus that iconic holiday drink we all love. Let’s break it down.

For the Christmas Eggnog Bread:

• 2 large eggs – These are your superstars for structure and richness. Make sure they’re at room temperature! This helps them incorporate smoothly into the batter, creating a more even crumb. If you forgot to take them out, no sweat: just place them in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes.
• 1 cup granulated sugar – Sweetness and tenderness, right here. The sugar also helps that beautiful golden-brown crust form.
• 1 cup eggnog – The headliner! Use your favorite store-bought brand, or if you’re feeling fancy, homemade. This is where all that creamy, spiced flavor comes from. Full-fat is best for maximum richness.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted – Melted butter keeps this bread incredibly moist and adds a lovely, rich flavor. I use unsalted so we can control the salt level ourselves. If you only have salted, just reduce the added salt in the dry ingredients by a pinch.
• 2 tsp rum extract – This is my little chef’s secret for capturing that true “eggnog” essence without any actual alcohol. It gives that warm, familiar backnote. If you prefer, vanilla extract is a wonderful, family-friendly substitute that’s just as delicious.
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour – The foundation of our loaf. I always fluff my flour up in the container before scooping it, then use a knife to level off the measuring cup. This prevents a dry, dense loaf!
• 2 tsp baking powder – Our leavening agent! This is what gives the bread its lift and makes it nice and fluffy. Check the expiration date to make sure it’s still active.
• 1/2 tsp salt – Crucial for balancing all the sweetness and making the flavors pop. Don’t skip it!
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg – The signature spice of eggnog! We’re doubling down on that flavor. Freshly grated nutmeg is absolutely divine here if you have it.

For the Simple Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar – Also called confectioner’s sugar. It dissolves instantly for a smooth, pretty drizzle.
• 2-3 tbsp eggnog – Using eggnog instead of milk in the glaze amplifies the flavor in every single bite.
• Dash of nutmeg (optional) – A little sprinkle on top for that beautiful, festive finish and an extra hint of spice.

Let’s Bake Some Magic: Step-by-Step

Ready? Aprons on! This process is a breeze. I’ll walk you through each step with my best tips to ensure your loaf is absolutely perfect.

1. Preheat and Prep: First things first, get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). This is key for even baking from the moment the batter hits the pan. Now, take your loaf pan (a standard 9×5 inch is perfect) and give it a good coating of butter or non-stick spray. Dust it lightly with flour, tapping out any excess. This little ritual ensures your beautiful bread will slide right out after baking, no sticking allowed! Chef’s Hack: For super easy cleanup, I sometimes use a parchment paper sling, just lining the bottom and long sides with a piece of parchment that overhangs.
2. Combine the Wet Team: In a large bowl, crack in your room-temperature eggs. Grab your hand mixer or a good whisk and beat them until they’re just light and frothy – about a minute. Now, pour in the sugar, eggnog, melted (and slightly cooled) butter, and that rum extract. Mix it all together until it’s beautifully smooth and well-combined. It might look a little curdled because of the butter, but that’s totally okay! It will all come together.
3. Whisk the Dry Crew: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Whisking here does two important things: it combines everything evenly, and it sifts the flour a bit, incorporating air. This means you’ll need less mixing later, which is our goal!
4. The Grand Union: Here’s the most important step: gently add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. I do this in two or three additions, folding with a spatula just until the last streaks of flour disappear. I’ll say it again for everyone in the back: DO NOT OVERMIX. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour and leads to a tough, rubbery bread. A few lumps are perfectly fine! They’ll bake out.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection: Pour that lovely, fragrant batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with your spatula. Slide it into the center of your preheated oven.
   • For a 9×5″ loaf: Bake for 50-60 minutes.
   • For 3 mini loaves: Bake for 30-35 minutes.

   You’ll know it’s done when the top is a deep golden brown, the edges are pulling away from the pan slightly, and a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the very center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.

6. The All-Important Cool Down: Once it’s out of the oven, let the bread rest in the hot pan on a wire rack for exactly 10 minutes. This allows it to set and firm up enough to handle. Then, run a knife around the edges to loosen it, and carefully invert it onto the rack to cool completely. I know it’s hard to wait, but glazing a warm (not hot) loaf helps the glaze set nicely without completely melting off.
7. Drizzle and Dream: While the bread is cooling, make your glaze! In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of eggnog. You want a thick but pourable consistency—something that will drizzle slowly off your whisk. If it’s too thick, add more eggnog, a teaspoon at a time. Too thin? Add a bit more powdered sugar. Drizzle artfully (or enthusiastically!) over the cooled loaf and finish with that optional dash of nutmeg for a professional touch.

How to Serve Your Masterpiece

This bread is wonderfully versatile! For a holiday breakfast or brunch, slice it thick and serve it just as it is alongside a steaming mug of coffee. It’s rich enough to feel like a treat but not so sweet that it’s dessert. For an afternoon pick-me-up, a thinner slice with a hot cup of chai tea is pure bliss. And if you really want to gild the lily, lightly toast a slice and spread it with a little softened butter or even a smear of vanilla mascarpone cheese. Heaven!

Make It Your Own! Delicious Variations

The fun doesn’t stop here! This recipe is a fantastic base for your own creative twists.

• Nutty Crunch: Fold in 3/4 cup of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the batter for a wonderful textural contrast.
• Fruity Festive: A half-cup of dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots would be a lovely, tart addition.
• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Add 2/3 cup of white chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips. White chocolate especially complements the eggnog flavor beautifully.
• Boozy for Grown-Ups: Replace the rum extract with 1-2 tablespoons of actual dark rum, spiced rum, or bourbon in the batter. So good!
• Dairy-Free Swap: Use your favorite plant-based eggnog and a vegan butter stick. The result will be just as delicious!

Anna’s Chef Notes & Kitchen Stories

This recipe has evolved so much over the years! I initially tried a version with whole spices, but found the ground nutmeg distributed the flavor more evenly. The rum extract was also a later discovery—my early versions used all vanilla, but I missed that classic “nog” flavor. The extract was the game-changer!

One of my favorite kitchen fails turned happy accident involved this bread. I once, in a pre-coffee haze, accidentally used brown sugar instead of white. The result was a darker, caramelized loaf with almost a dulce de leche undertone. It was a huge hit, and now I sometimes intentionally use half brown sugar for a deeper flavor. It just goes to show that some of the best recipes come from happy little mistakes. Don’t be afraid to play around!

Your Questions, Answered!

Q: My bread is dense and gummy in the middle. What happened?
A: The most common culprit here is overmixing the batter! Remember, mix just until the flour disappears. The second most common issue is underbaking. Ovens can vary, so always use the toothpick test. If it comes out with wet batter, it needs more time. If the top is browning too quickly before the center is done, tent it loosely with a piece of aluminum foil.

Q: Can I make this into muffins instead?
A: Absolutely! This batter makes fantastic muffins. Just line a muffin tin with papers, fill them about 2/3 full, and bake at the same temperature for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. You’ll get about 12-14 standard muffins.

Q: How should I store this, and does it freeze well?
A: Because it’s so moist, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It freezes beautifully! Wrap the completely cooled, unglazed loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight on the counter and add the glaze right before serving.

Q: I can’t find rum extract. What can I use?
A: No problem at all! Vanilla extract is a perfect 1:1 substitute and will yield a delicious vanilla-spiced bread. If you want to try something different, almond extract (use just 1 tsp) is also lovely.

Nutritional Information*

*This is an approximate estimate calculated using an online tool and will vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

Per Slice (1/12th of loaf, including glaze): Calories: ~280 | Sugar: 25g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g

Final Thoughts ✨

There’s just something magical about a recipe that captures the entire spirit of the holidays in one bite, and this Christmas Eggnog Bread does exactly that. It’s simple, festive, and endlessly comforting—the kind of loaf that fills your kitchen with cheer before you’ve even had your first slice. Whether you serve it warm on Christmas morning, wrap up mini loaves as heartfelt gifts, or enjoy it with a quiet cup of coffee by the tree, it’s bound to become one of those “can’t-skip-it” traditions your family looks forward to year after year.

So, the next time December rolls around and life feels a little hectic, remember: you don’t need an elaborate spread to make memories. Sometimes, all it takes is a carton of eggnog, a sprinkle of nutmeg, and a warm loaf cooling on the counter to remind you of what the holidays are really about—joy, love, and sharing something special with the people who mean the most.