Description
A festive and moist Eggnog Bread perfect for holiday celebrations. This flavorful quick bread combines the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg with fresh cranberries and a rich eggnog glaze drizzled on top, making it a delightful treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup eggnog
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 (3.4-oz) package vanilla pudding mix
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp eggnog
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease the bottom of a 9x5-inch loaf pan to ensure the bread doesn’t stick during baking.
- Mix Eggs and Sugar: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and white sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly frothy, which helps incorporate air for a light texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the vegetable oil, eggnog, and vanilla extract until fully combined, creating a rich and flavorful base for the bread.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla pudding mix, and fresh cranberries to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the eggnog mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and ensure a tender crumb.
- Add Cranberries: Gently fold in the fresh cranberries to distribute them throughout the batter without crushing them.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely for best texture and easier slicing.
- Prepare Glaze: While the bread cools, mix the powdered sugar, eggnog, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the eggnog glaze over the cooled bread, allowing it to soak in slightly before slicing and serving for a festive finish.
Notes
- Fresh cranberries can be replaced with dried cranberries if fresh are unavailable, but fresh provide a nice tart contrast.
- For a vegan version, substitute eggs with a flax or chia egg and use dairy-free pudding and eggnog alternatives.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread light and fluffy.
- This bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- The glaze adds sweetness and moisture but can be omitted if preferred.