Eggnog Bread Recipe | Bread Machine Recipes (2024)

Every year I wait for eggnog to appear in the grocery stores. Not only does that mean that Christmas is on its way, it means that it’s time for one of my favorite bread recipes, Eggnog Bread!

Last Updated on December 5, 2022 – Originally posted in November of 2011

Featured Comment

This was delicious! I made one with some leftover eggnog, and immediately made a second loaf for an elderly neighbor. So glad I found it. ~ Joanna

Every year I wait for eggnog to appear in the grocery stores. Not only does that mean that Christmas is on its way, it means that it’s time for eggnog bread!

This yummy, easy eggnog bread recipe is great for the holidays. It’s also wonderful for breakfast on chilly autumn or winter mornings.

In addition to eggnog, the recipe calls for another seasonal item, dried cranberries. You can substitute raisins for the cranberries if you’d like, but the cranberries give the bread a little zing.

Plus cranberries look really pretty in the finished product.

Here’s the loaf of eggnog bread after it came out of the bread machine . . .

And here’s how it looked when it was sliced . . .

See how pretty those cranberries are?

And how does it taste? It’s really, really good! The bread has a cake-like texture. There’s a slight nutmeg, eggnog flavor. The cranberries give it a little bit of contrast.

AND if you’re not a cranberry fan, raisins work just fine too.

Let’s Talk About Eggnog

What the heck is in eggnog that makes it so darned good? It traditionally includes milk, cream, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and of course, eggs.

It’s thick, rich and typically served with a little bourbon, rum or cognac.Just to be clear, the bread recipe doesn’t include any of those.

Historically speaking, a drink called posset may have been the forerunner of eggnog. Posset is a medieval British drink. The punch was made from hot milk curdled with wine or ale. Sometimes eggs and figs were added too.

Cranberries, Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em

Cranberries are native to North America and filled with antioxidants. Great, right? However, for some people, the zingy, tart taste of cranberries is off putting.

There is a big divide about cranberries in my house. I love them and The Man of the House (TMOTH) does not enjoy them. Not even a little.

So while I think that this bread is better with cranberries, I make it with raisins. To be honest, eggnog bread is really good that way too.

French Toast Alert!

It’s a given that eggnog bread makes wonderful toast. A little cream cheese on top and I’m in heaven.

However, you might want to take it to the next level. The flavor, texture and existing egg content mean that this bread is a natural for French toast.

FAQ for This Recipe

• Wondering about the difference between active dry yeast, instant yeast, bread machine yeast and quick rise yeast? I’ve got an article that explains the differences between different yeast types and how to switch between types of yeast.
• What do I mean by a smooth, round ball of dough? I’ve got an article (including images) that explains that.
• Learn about the differences between all-purpose flour and bread flour.

Eggnog Bread Instructions

This recipe is for a two-pound loaf. Use the basic cycle with either the light or medium crust setting.

Follow the instructions that came with your bread machine in terms of which ingredients to put in the bread machine first. With my bread machine, I add the liquids first.

I’ve always used Zojirushi bread machines. Over the years,I’ve made this bread with two different Zojirushi machines.

On the Zojirushi Virtuoso breadmaker, the medium crust is best with this recipe.

However, I liked the light crust setting when I used myZojirushi BBCCX20 Bread Machine.

I advise people making this recipe for the first time to try the medium setting. Then make changes if needed based on your first loaf.

Make sure you check on the dough after five or ten minutes of kneading. Pop open the top of the bread machine and see how the dough is doing. It should be a round ball. If it’s too dry add liquid a teaspoon at a time until the dough balls up. If it looks too wet, add flour a tablespoon at a time until it looks as expected.

Eggnog Bread Ingredients

Again, this is for a two-pound loaf, using the basic cycle with the light or medium crust setting.

1 cup eggnog
½ cup milk
4 cups bread flour
½ cup dried cranberries or raisins
1 ¼ teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoons oil or butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 ¾ teaspoons active dry yeast