Spiked Eggnog Cinnamon Bread

Spiked Eggnog Cinnamon Bread from Brittany's PantryNo doubt, the title of this post has you intrigued.  Or at least has you drooling.

I never get sick of quick bread recipes and this time of year is the perfect opportunity to branch out.  Bloggers go bananas trying new things and showcasing special recipes.  The list of recipes I had to share with you was epic.  I am talking EPIC here people!!  Alas, life gets in the way.  So does bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infections, fevers, and all the other fun stuff that comes with three kids who obviously need to be washing their hands more.  Our whole family has been sick and in the moments of health, concentrating on the continuing construction of our new home.  I have not been in the kitchen nearly as much as I have liked and am sadly, setting aside cookie and holiday treat recipes for another year.

But.  I have rallied for one last hurrah-er, recipe.  We have been quite addicted to this bread, which you may have noticed on Instagram.  It is so darn easy to mix up, my kids have been doing it for me.  Which is why there are twice as many cinnamon chips in this batch than normal… It is definitely a snack bread and lacks the really super sweet taste of a dessert.  But the flavors are so special, you can serve it either way.  It will make anything it touches smell good.  Wrapped tightly, I store it in my fridge for a day or two and the whole thing smells like rum eggnog.  It is heavenly.  And just in time for Christmas.Spiked Eggnog Cinnamon Bread from Brittany's PantrySpiked Eggnog Cinnamon Bread
Recipe adapted from UniHomemaker
This bread is even better the next day so make plans to whip it up before you actually need it.  Your house will smell ah-MAY-zing.

1/3 c canola or grape seed oil
1 c eggnog
1/4 c spiced or dark rum (both are good)
1 egg
2/3 c sugar
1 c white flour
1 c white whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
pinch of salt
1/2 c cinnamon chips

Preheat oven to 350 and spray an 8 or 9 inch bread pan.  Whisk first five ingredients together until smooth.  Fold dry ingredients into the wet until just incorporated.  Gently fold in cinnamon chips and pour into greased pan.  Bake 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with just a crumb or two attached.  Cool 10 minutes in pan and then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.  Store, wrapped well, at room temp for a day or two, or in the fridge for up to three days.

25+ Holiday Recipes For Effortless Menu Planning

Over 25 Holiday recipes to make your menu planning effortless!  A little bit of everything in this list! {Brittany's Pantry}I love it when bloggers make lists of recipes this time of year.  Don’t you?  It is so handy to have such fun foods all in one place!  I am no exception and this collection may be my favorite ever.  A little bit sweet and a little bit savory, this has some of everything from the Brittany’s Pantry archives so that you can add in a dish or two to aid in your menu planning!  Hope this gives you some ideas!  Enjoy!

Appetizers & Starters

Roasted Pepper Hummus – So pretty, so healthy, and so easy.  A great snack to set out that accommodates picky eaters and those with food sensitivities alike!Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is incredibly easy and way better for you than the store-bought stuff! {Brittany's Pantry}Mini Corn Muffins – A great little two bite snack that you can bake up and tuck in the freezer.  Defrost and serve for a no mess nibble that sits perfectly on a cocktail plate!Mini Corn Muffins from Brittany's PantryInstant Veggie Dip – This genius dip gets mixed up ahead of time so the flavors meld.  It also doubles as a gift!  Mix up the spices, pour them in to a jar, and top with a ribbon and the completed instructions.  Who wouldn’t want that under the tree?!Homemade Herb Mix for Veggie Dip {Brittany's Pantry}Roasted Shrimp W/Two Sauces – Shrimp and dip are a party staple, but this version turns it up a notch!  Roasting brings out the sweet flavor of the seafood, and the Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce and Tangy Mango Sauce gives your guests two spectacular choices!Roasted Shrimp W/Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce and Tangy Mango Sauce {Brittany's Pantry}Sun-Dried Tomato Dip – I cannot say enough good things about this dip.  Trust me when I tell you it is absolutely spectacular.  And gorgeous too, yes?Creamy Sun-Dried-Tomato Dip - The sweet and tangy flavor will win over even the pickiest eater! {Brittany's Pantry}

Drinks & Beverages

Spiced Tea Mix – Tea, orange, and Christmas spices come together for this hot drink.  Also fantastic for a gift, I am particularly in love with this recipe since it lets me rock out all retro and use TANG.  Remember Tang?
Spiced-Tea-MixHomemade Instant Hot Chocolate Mix – This recipe is just what it says.  Make a big batch out of ingredients in your pantry (that you can actually pronounce) and use it all season long.DIY Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix from Brittany's PantryHot Apple Cider – Simple, classic, and you can make it in your crockpot.  Score.Spiced-Hot-Apple-CiderHoliday PUNCH – Such a gorgeous beverage!  This tangy punch is appealing to the eye, as well as being darn tasty.  One of my favorites!  Set out a bottle of spirits on the side for those who wish to make it a full on cocktail!Holiday Punch has an irresistible tangy flavor!  Add vodka to make it a cocktail! {Brittany's Pantry}

Main & Sides

Roast Pork W/Mustard & Peach Glaze – I make this year round, but the flavor is certainly worthy of a holiday meal.  The best part?  It is incredibly easy, leaving your mind to focus on other things.  Like what to get your Secret Santa.

Roast Pork W/Easy Mustard Peach GlazePomegranate Glazed Carrots – Few recipes are as universally pleasing to the masses as this one is.  Gorgeous on a buffet and beautiful on the plate, these jewel-like veggies are a stunning-and healthy-addition to any menu! Pomegranate Glazed Carrots | Brittany's PantryLemon Potatoes – Take advantage of the citrus in the supermarkets right now and make this light dish!
Healthy Lemon Potatoes | Brittany's PantryPork & Prune Stew – Served with creamy polenta or mashed potatoes, this stew is a showstopper.  Easy, surprisingly low fat, and absolutely bursting with flavor.  Just right when you need a comforting dish that can be gently reheated when company shows up.Pork & Prune Stew | Brittany's PantryCreamy Penne W/Shrimp – This pasta is so special, we made it a New Years tradition.  We look forward to it every year and it never disappoints.  Positively drool worthy.Creamy Penne W/Shrimp | Brittany's Pantry

Baked Goods

Cranberry Orange Pumpkin Spice Muffins – Can’t. Stop. Eating. Them.Cranberry Orange Pumpkin Spice Muffins via Brittany's PantryPioneer Bread – Think of this quick bread as a healthy, less intimidating, more attractive cousin to the fruitcake.Pioneer Bread | Brittany's PantryHoney Buns – Served for breakfast, brunch, or snack, these beauties will disappear faster than you can say Rudolph.  Make a double batch.
Honey Buns are made in a muffin tin and perfect for Christmas morning! {Brittany's PantryBaked Doughnuts – This no frills recipe allows you to top or dust these as you choose.  Straight out of the pan is an option I select often.Easy Baked Doughnuts via Brittany's Pantry Apricot Scones – I try not to pick favorites, but these may top my list of scones that I can’t live without.  Tender and flakey, these will ensure that you will never head to a bakery again.
Sweet Apricot Scones | Brittany's Pantry

Dessert & Treats

Sour Cream Cherry Bars – The recipe says ‘bars’ but it is really just a super simple delivery system for an outrageous pie.  This big batch is great for a crowd but you will want to keep them for yourself!Sour Cream Cherry Bars | Brittany's Pantry
Chocolate Eclair Dessert – You need this in your life.  No bake and make ahead, I will understand if you make nothing else all Christmas season.  It is that good.
Easy Chocolate Eclair Dessert-A spectacular, no bake treat! | Brittany's PantryChristmas Munch – When you make this, be sure to pace yourself.  Keeping it under lock and key may be necessary.  Then again, it IS Christmas… On second thought, just make double.White Chocolate Christmas Munch is full of addictive snacks and drenched in just a tiny bit of white chocolate!  Truly special for a holiday treat! {Brittany's Pantry}
White Chocolate Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake – This incredible dessert has a bunch of steps but really isn’t that difficult.  It is however, simply superb.  An incredible centerpiece to a table.White Chocolate Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake is a showstopper of a holiday dessert! {Brittany's Pantry}Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies – These get an easy boost from using a packaged mix.  Making these are a family tradition each year as they are super easy for my kids to do almost entirely on their own!
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies | Brittany's PantryMaple Nut Cookies – Perfect for an exchange or carefully packaged for a friend or neighbor.  The smell alone will warm your heart.Simple Maple Nut Cookies W/Maple Glaze | Brittany's Pantry
Chewy Ginger Cookies – Hands down, this is easily one of the best cookie recipes of all time.  Chewy and full of flavor, these top the list of holiday treats.  And year round treats, for that matter…
Chewy Ginger Cookies from Brittany's PantryGinger Chai Blondes – Add a cup of tea with one or two of these bars and you have a perfect treat.  They are soft, but still chewy, and perfectly sweet.  The flavors are subtle but spectacular and absolutely worthy of being wrapped in paper and taken to someone you love.  Ginger Chai Blondes are chewy and perfect with a cup of tea! {Brittany's Pantry}

Chocolate Cherry Cream Dip

Chocolate Cherry Cream Dip from Brittany's Pantry is a sweet, make-ahead, holiday treat!  Perfect for a girl's birthday party too!My husband just walked by the computer and glanced at this photograph.  He stopped, looked closer, and stated. “Wow, Babe.  That photo is amazing.”  As he strolled away, I growled under my breath, “I want to eat it…”

The truth is, I did eat it.  Last week.  I snacked, dipped, nibbled, and devoured with gusto.  And it was good.  But I look at this and I want more.

Who can resist the classic combination of chocolate and cherries?  I blame my addiction on my Dad.  For as long as I can remember, he has received a box or two of Queen Anne Cherries at Christmas, wrapped and tucked under the tree at the last minute by the enthusiastic hands of his children.  He somehow managed to convince us that he was surprised to open them each year.  Christmas makes us gullible I guess… We aren’t often able to be together for Christmas these days but the tradition lives on.  I have never told him this, but I still buy a box every year and break into it on Christmas Eve, handing one to each of my kids just as he did to my siblings and I all those years ago.  One bite and I could be sitting Indian style on the living room floor of my childhood home, waiting for gifts to be passed out.

I feel as though I should mention that I am listening to Francesca Battistelli’s Christmas Album as I type this.  One of my most favorite holiday albums ever.  Beautiful music, coupled with writing the memory above is making my heart positively ache with missing my family this holiday season.  Who knew chocolate covered cherries could make this momma weep with nostalgia?

Anyway.  Enough with the sappy stuff.  Back to this dip.  It is officially my go-to, bring along treat of the Holiday 2014 season.  Its beautiful, simple, fun, and just kind of screams the word ‘party’, don’t ya think?  It is basically a low effort, less messy way to serve these familiar flavors.  I realize that there are a bazillion versions of this recipe out on Pinterest right now, but I felt the need to make it come together a bit faster and with less fuss.  I have enough things to do these next few weeks without wasting time on unnecessary steps in a recipe.  I would much rather channel that energy into something useful.  Like eating that recipe.
Chocolate Cherry Cream Dip from Brittany's Pantry is a sweet, make-ahead, holiday treat!  Perfect for a girl's birthday party too!Chocolate Cherry Cream Dip from Brittany's Pantry is a sweet, make-ahead, holiday treat!  Perfect for a girl's birthday party too!Chocolate Cherry Cream Dip
Adapted from Shugary Sweets
This can be made a day ahead and wrapped tightly in the fridge.  Keep cold while serving and dip whatever sounds good in it.  I am partial to pretzels.  The sweet and salty combo is stellar.

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, slightly softened
1/4 c (4 T) soft butter
1/2 chopped maraschino cherries
1/4 c maraschino cherry juice, right from the jar
1/2 c mini chocolate chips

Combine the cream cheese, butter, and cherry juice until combined and smooth.  Fold in the chopped cherries and mini chocolate chips.  Serve with pretzels, graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or anything else you can think of!

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