Cranberry & Eggnog Bread

I am sitting here on this dreary blustery morning drinking coffee, listening to the wind chimes clang and watching Elvis shiver (why he won't wear his sweater I don't know.....it's so dang cute!).  It has just dawned on me that winter has arrived and the Holiday Season is certainly upon us.  We've already had our Thanksgiving Feast at work....and finished off the leftovers!  My neighbors have their Christmas lights up and I realize I have a ton of baking requests to prepare for.  All this and Thanksgiving isn't even here yet?!  Time is just whizzing by. 
 
I am loving all the goodies being offered in the grocery stores this time of year.  Apple cider and caramel apples, eggnog and fresh cranberries.  I've been indulging in each, trust me.  Did you know that eggnog makes an awesome coffee creamer?  YUM!

 

So, I'm making use of those fresh cranberries with this moist, tasty holiday cranberry eggnog bread.  Don't be afraid of eggnog.   These days it's really just dairy with nutmeg and vanilla.....and sometimes a little rum :) 
 
CRANBERRY & EGGNOG BREAD
YIELD:  one loaf
 
1C sugar
1 box instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz)
1/2C butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp rum extract
1 1/2C eggnog
2 1/4C  flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
1C chopped fresh cranberries
 
EGGNOG GLAZE (optional)
1/2C confectioner's sugar
2 TBL eggnog
 
1.  Grease a loaf pan and line with parchment paper. I like to leave an overhang of paper to help remove the loaf after it bakes.
 
2.  Cream the sugar, pudding mix and butter together.
 
3.  Add eggs, vanilla extract and rum extract.
 
4.  Add eggnog.
 
5.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.  Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture until just combined.  Be sure not to over mix as it will make the bread tough.
 
6.  Fold in the cranberries.
 
7.  Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes.
 
8.  Let the loaf cool 20 minutes or so before unmolding then move to a wire rack to continue to cool. A little trick----when the loaf is still just a bit warm to the touch wrap it up in tin foil.  This will "steam" the bread and make the outside soft.  This trick works great for banana bread, too.
 
9.  Optional Glaze:  whisk eggnog and confectioner's sugar together and pour over bread.  Honestly, this bread is so incredibly moist you really don't need the glaze.
 

Enjoy!