Dive into the delightful world of holiday baking with this irresistible Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread! This recipe beautifully blends the comforting flavors of classic banana bread with the festive warmth of eggnog, creating a moist, spiced loaf perfect for cozy winter gatherings or a special treat any time of year. Imagine sinking your teeth into a slice of this tender bread, its subtle eggnog notes dancing on your tongue, complemented by the sweetness of bananas and a luscious, creamy glaze. This isn’t just banana bread; it’s a festive experience in every bite. The aroma alone will fill your kitchen with the enchanting scent of Christmas spices and ripe bananas, promising a delicious reward for your baking efforts. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe is remarkably simple to follow, guaranteeing a successful and incredibly satisfying outcome. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this truly exceptional Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread a recipe that’s sure to become a cherished holiday tradition.
Why You’ll Love This Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread Recipe
This Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread recipe is more than just a recipe; it’s a delightful culinary journey. Here’s why you’ll absolutely adore it:
- Unbelievably Moist and Flavorful: The combination of mashed bananas and eggnog creates an incredibly moist and tender crumb, unlike any other banana bread you’ve tasted. The eggnog adds a unique depth of flavor that elevates the classic banana bread experience.
- Festive Holiday Spices: The warm embrace of nutmeg and cinnamon perfectly complements the richness of the eggnog and bananas, adding a delightful holiday touch to every bite. This is the perfect bread for Christmas morning or any winter celebration.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is surprisingly simple to follow, even for beginner bakers. The straightforward instructions and readily available ingredients make it a breeze to whip up a delicious loaf.
- Beautiful Glaze: The creamy eggnog glaze adds a touch of elegance and irresistible sweetness, perfectly complementing the spiced banana bread. It’s the perfect finishing touch that elevates this bread to a truly special treat.
- Perfect for Gifting: This Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread makes a wonderful homemade gift for friends, family, or neighbors during the holiday season (or any time!). Its delicious aroma and beautiful presentation will surely be appreciated.
- Adaptable Recipe: This recipe is a great base for experimentation. Feel free to add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried cranberries for extra flavor and texture. The possibilities are endless!
Why You Should Try This Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread Recipe
Beyond the deliciousness, there are several compelling reasons to bake this Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread:
- Unique Flavor Profile: This isn’t your average banana bread. The unexpected combination of eggnog and warm spices creates a flavor profile that is both comforting and exciting, offering a delightful twist on a classic.
- Impress Your Guests: This bread is a showstopper. Its beautiful appearance, delightful aroma, and exceptional taste will undoubtedly impress your friends and family, making it a perfect addition to any gathering.
- Perfect for Beginners: The simple instructions and readily available ingredients make this recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels. It’s a fantastic way to build confidence in the kitchen.
- Versatile Treat: Enjoy this bread for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or as a dessert. Its deliciousness transcends traditional meal times.
- Make Ahead: This bread can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for busy schedules. Bake it a day or two before your event and store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
- Share the Joy: Baking is a wonderful way to spread joy, and this recipe is perfect for sharing with loved ones. The act of gifting homemade bread is a thoughtful gesture that shows you care.
Ingredients and Necessary Utensils for Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread
Gathering the right ingredients and tools is crucial for baking success. Let’s ensure you have everything you need to create this delectable Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread:
Ingredients:
- Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for a gluten-free variation)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – a leavening agent crucial for a light and fluffy texture.
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg – adds a warm, distinctive flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon – complements the nutmeg and adds a comforting warmth.
- ¼ teaspoon salt – enhances the other flavors.
- Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened – for a rich and tender crumb. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for optimal creaming.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar – provides sweetness and helps in creating a tender crumb.
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar – adds moisture and a deeper caramel flavor.
- 2 large eggs – bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 cup eggnog – adds moisture, richness, and a distinctive holiday flavor. Use your favorite brand, or even make your own homemade eggnog for an extra special touch!
- 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium) – provides sweetness and moisture. Overripe bananas work best for a sweeter, moister loaf.
- Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar – the base of the glaze, providing sweetness and a smooth texture.
- 2-4 tablespoons eggnog – thins the powdered sugar to the desired consistency. Start with 2 tablespoons and add more as needed.
Necessary Utensils:
- 9×5 inch loaf pan – the standard size for this recipe. Ensure it’s well-greased and floured to prevent sticking.
- Medium bowl – for whisking together the dry ingredients.
- Large bowl – for creaming the butter and sugar, and combining all the wet and dry ingredients.
- Whisk – for effectively combining both wet and dry ingredients.
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) – makes creaming the butter and sugar much easier and faster.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient measurements.
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon – for mixing and scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Wooden skewer or toothpick – for checking if the bread is baked through.
- Wire rack – for cooling the bread completely.
- Small bowl – for preparing the glaze.
Detailed Recipe Steps for Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread
Let’s embark on the delightful journey of creating this Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread. Follow these steps carefully for optimal results:
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of the baked bread. A light dusting of flour on top of the greased pan is helpful.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until well combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices throughout the bread.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, resulting in a lighter and fluffier bread. Creaming is essential for texture!
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure the eggs are fully incorporated before adding the wet ingredients.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggnog and mashed bananas until well combined. This ensures that the bananas are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the banana-eggnog mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark.
- Cool and Glaze: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from crumbling and allows the glaze to set properly.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the bread is cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and eggnog in a small bowl until smooth. Add more eggnog, one tablespoon at a time, if needed to reach your desired consistency. You want a glaze that’s pourable but not too runny.
- Glaze the Bread: Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Tips and Variations for Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread
To elevate your baking experience and personalize your Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread, consider these helpful tips and variations:
- Use Overripe Bananas: Overripe bananas will result in a sweeter and moister bread. The extra sweetness balances the eggnog beautifully.
- Add-ins: Feel free to experiment with add-ins! Chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, dried cranberries, or even chopped macadamia nuts would be delicious additions.
- Spice it Up: For a more intense spice flavor, increase the amount of nutmeg and cinnamon to your liking. A pinch of allspice or cardamom can also add a delightful warmth.
- Vegan Variation: Substitute the butter with vegan butter, the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), and use plant-based eggnog. Ensure your baking powder is aluminum-free.
- Gluten-Free Variation: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid slightly depending on the specific flour blend you use.
- Make it Mini: Bake this recipe in mini loaf pans for individual servings, perfect for parties or gifts.
- Storage: Store leftover Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. The glaze may soften slightly in the refrigerator.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tough bread. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Check for Doneness: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick to check for doneness. If it comes out clean, the bread is ready. If it still has batter clinging to it, bake for a few more minutes and check again.
Nutritional Values and Benefits of Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread
While this Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread is undeniably delicious, let’s examine its nutritional aspects and the benefits of its key ingredients:
Note: The exact nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used and portion size. These values are estimates and should be considered approximations.
Approximate Nutritional Information (per slice):
- Calories: 300-350
- Protein: 4-5 grams
- Fat: 15-18 grams
- Carbohydrates: 40-45 grams
Ingredient Benefits:
- Bananas: Excellent source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6. Bananas contribute to a healthy digestive system and provide sustained energy.
- Eggnog: Provides calcium and protein (depending on the type of eggnog used). The spices in eggnog offer potential antioxidant benefits.
- Whole Wheat Flour (optional): Offers more fiber than all-purpose flour, contributing to better digestive health.
- Nutmeg and Cinnamon: These spices possess antioxidant properties and offer potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
FAQs
Can I freeze Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread?
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
What can I substitute for eggnog?
How long does Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread last?
Can I use different spices in this Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread recipe?
Conclusion
This Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread recipe offers a delightful fusion of comforting flavors and festive cheer. Its moist texture, warm spices, and creamy glaze make it a truly exceptional treat. Whether you’re celebrating the holidays or simply seeking a delicious homemade bread, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. We encourage you to try it, share it with your loved ones, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t forget to share your beautiful creations on social media using #GlazedEggnogBananaBread. For more delicious recipes, check out our other posts, such as this creamy pumpkin ravioli, a perfect fall delight! Happy baking!

Glazed Eggnog Banana Bread
Equipment
- 9x5 inch loaf pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Wooden skewer
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup (1 stick) Unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cups Granulated sugar
- 0.75 cups Packed light brown sugar
- 2 Large eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Eggnog
- 1.5 cups Mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons Eggnog
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggnog and mashed bananas.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the banana-eggnog mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the bread is cooling, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and eggnog until smooth. Add more eggnog, one tablespoon at a time, if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top.