Sweet Eggnog Bread with Crumb Topping

Nothing captures the warmth and nostalgia of the holiday season quite like the flavor of eggnog. Rich, creamy, spiced, and comforting, eggnog is a seasonal favorite — and this sweet eggnog bread with crumb topping transforms that classic drink into a tender, bakery-style loaf you’ll want to bake again and again.

This eggnog quick bread is soft and moist on the inside, delicately spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, and crowned with a buttery crumb topping that adds irresistible texture and sweetness. It’s perfect for holiday breakfasts, afternoon coffee, dessert trays, or gifting during the festive season.

Unlike yeast breads that require time and precision, this eggnog bread comes together easily with simple ingredients and minimal effort. The result is a loaf that tastes indulgent, looks beautiful, and fills your kitchen with the most inviting holiday aroma.

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Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Bread

• Made with real eggnog for authentic flavor
• Soft, tender crumb that stays moist for days
• Sweet streusel topping adds crunch and contrast
• Simple quick-bread method (no yeast)
• Perfect for Christmas mornings and holiday gatherings

This recipe strikes the perfect balance between rich and light, sweet and spiced.

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What Makes Eggnog Perfect for Baking

Eggnog isn’t just delicious to drink — it’s a dream ingredient for baking. Its combination of milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and spices adds richness, moisture, and flavor all at once.

In this bread:

• Eggnog replaces some of the milk for deeper flavor
• Natural sweetness reduces the need for extra sugar
• Nutmeg enhances the classic eggnog profile

The result is a loaf that tastes festive without being overpowering.

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Ingredients

Eggnog Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Crumb Topping

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 4 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the crumb topping: In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in butter until crumbly. Chill while preparing batter.
3. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
4. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar. Add eggs, eggnog, and vanilla.
5. Combine: Fold dry ingredients into wet just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
6. Assemble: Pour batter into pan and sprinkle evenly with crumb topping.
7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, tenting loosely if topping browns too quickly.
8. Cool 15 minutes in pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

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Optional Glaze

For extra sweetness, drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and eggnog.

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Flavor Variations

Rum Eggnog Bread:
Add 1–2 tablespoons dark rum or rum extract.

Cranberry Eggnog Bread:
Fold in ¾ cup fresh or dried cranberries.

Nutty Version:
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping.

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Serving Suggestions

• Warm with butter
• With coffee or hot chocolate
• As part of a holiday brunch spread
• Wrapped as a homemade gift

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Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Store at room temperature up to 3 days
• Refrigerate up to 1 week
• Freeze slices up to 2 months

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing the batter
• Skipping parchment paper
• Using low-fat eggnog
• Cutting before fully cooled

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Why This Is the Ultimate Holiday Quick Bread

This sweet eggnog bread with crumb topping is festive, foolproof, and deeply comforting. It delivers everything you want in a holiday bake — rich flavor, tender texture, and that unmistakable seasonal charm that makes it a yearly tradition.