Description
This festive Christmas Eggnog Bread is a moist, flavorful holiday treat perfect for sharing with family and friends. Combining classic holiday spices with creamy eggnog, this quick bread offers a tender crumb and a touch of warmth, enhanced by optional crunchy pecans for added texture. Baked to a golden perfection, it’s an ideal companion to your holiday morning coffee or a delightful dessert throughout the festive season.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup eggnog
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure the bread does not stick and can be removed easily after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined to distribute the leavening and spices throughout.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together the eggnog, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous, which helps create a tender bread texture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined; be careful not to overmix to avoid a dense bread. Fold in the chopped pecans if you choose to add them for an extra crunch.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set, then transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to maintain its shape and texture.
Notes
- Chopped pecans are optional but add delightful texture and flavor.
- For a non-alcoholic version, use alcohol-free eggnog or homemade eggnog without spirits.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread light and fluffy.
- This bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Reheat slices briefly in the microwave or toaster oven for a warm treat.
