Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter, and lightly dust it with flour.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well combined. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavorings
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the eggnog and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
- If desired, fold in the chopped nuts.
Step 6: Bake the Bread
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
Step 7: Cool and Prepare the Glaze
- Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the bread cools, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and eggnog in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more eggnog or powdered sugar as needed.
Step 8: Glaze and Garnish
- Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top.
- Sprinkle a little ground nutmeg on top for a festive touch.
Step 9: Slice and Serve
- Slice the Christmas Eggnog Bread and serve it as a delightful holiday treat. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or hot cocoa!
Storage Tips
- Room Temperature: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: To freeze, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
This Christmas Eggnog Bread is a lovely addition to your holiday baking repertoire, filled with the warm, comforting flavors of the season. Enjoy the joy of the holidays with each delicious slice!