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Eggnog Pull-Apart Bread

February 21, 2023

Sweet and fluffy yeasted breads are a cornerstone of our family’s holiday traditions. While cinnamon rolls have a place in our hearts, this eggnog pull-apart bread is a new classic.

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The Best Pull Apart Bread

Cinnamon rolls have long been part of special weekend mornings and our family’s holiday traditions. The anticipation of watching the dough rise and waking up to that cinnamony smell in the house is just the best thing. Our recipe for eggnog pull-apart bread is a twist on the classic cinnamon rolls that we have made for so many years. This tender pull-apart eggnog bread is simply traditional cinnamon roll dough, with a few additions to make it extra special. Let it cool enough to touch, and then enjoy the fun of pulling it apart piece by delicious piece. No knife necessary! Perfect with a hot cup of coffee or a big glass of milk, and good for breakfast or dessert!!

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How To Make Pull Apart Bread

  1. Let the yeast blossom! Warm the eggnog, oil, and sugar and add the yeast. Let it sit until beginning to foam, about 2 minutes.

  2. Add the flour, until just combined. Cover with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside in a relatively warm place for an hour to proof.

  3. Remove the towel and add the baking powder, baking soda, salt and remaining ¼ cup of flour. Stir thoroughly until fully combined. Can you make pull apart bread ahead of time? Absolutely! Use the dough right away, or place in a mixing bowl, covered with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days, punching down the dough if it rises to the top of the bowl.

  4. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350° F.

  5. Form the dough! Roll the dough into a large rectangle.

  6. Make the butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar filling.

  7. Using the back of a spoon, evenly spread the filling over the dough and sprinkle with chopped pecans and press them lightly into the butter mixture.

  8. Using a sharp knife, trim the edges of the dough.

  9. Grease (cooking spray works too) a 9-inch loaf pan. Layer the stacks of dough into the pan. How long to bake pull apart bread at 350? Bake in the oven until the top is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cover with foil and bake until the center is cooked through about 35 minutes.

  10. Make the glaze! In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, eggnog and rum extract until very smooth.

  11. Remove the bread from the oven. While still warm, drizzle the glaze over the top. As it sits, the bread will absorb some of the icing’s moisture and flavor. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup chopped pecans. Delightful!

  12. How long will pull-apart bread last? In our house, it doesn’t last lol, because it is inhaled immediately. Otherwise, it’s best within the first couple of days after it is baked.

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Tools You’ll Need

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More Tasty Treats For You, Your Friends, And Your Family

We’ve found that the best way to make friends is with delicious sweet things, and here’s a few of our favorites:

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Treat Yourself, And Make This Delicious Bread!

We want to see your beautiful bakes! We think everyone in your family will love this sweet loaf. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy baking!

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Eggnog Pull-Apart Bread

  • Serves:  8
  • Prep Time:  2 hrs
  • Cook Time:  20 min
  • Calories:  846

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups eggnog
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1¾ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

For the Filling

  • ¾ cup salted butter, softened
  • 1½ tablespoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar, plus more as needed
  • ½ cup finely chopped, pecans

For the Glaze

  • 1½ cups powdered sugar, plus more if needed
  • 1½ tablespoons eggnog
  • 1½ teaspoons rum extract, optional
  • ¼ cup finely chopped, pecans

Method

  1. Add the eggnog, vegetable oil and sugar to a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir to combine. Heat the mixture to 100-110°F without boiling. When the eggnog mixture is heated to between 100-110°F, sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit until beginning to foam, about 2 minutes.

  2. Stir in 3 cups of the flour, until just combined. Cover with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside in a relatively warm place for an hour.

  3. Remove the towel and add the baking powder, baking soda, salt and remaining ¼ cup of flour. Stir thoroughly until fully combined. Use the dough right away, or place in a mixing bowl and refrigerate for up to 3 days, punching down the dough if it rises to the top of the bowl.

  4. Preheat the oven to 350° F with a rack in the center position.

  5. Place the dough on a lightly floured baking surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 30 x 10 inches.

  6. Make the filling. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar until a soft paste is formed.

  7. Using the back of a spoon, evenly spread the filling to cover the entire surface of the dough. Sprinkle with ⅓ cup chopped pecans and press them lightly into the butter mixture.

  8. Using a sharp knife, trim the edges of the dough so that all four sides have straight edges. Slice the dough vertically into 6 equal-sized strips. Stack the strips onto one another, and then slice them again into 6 stacks, now squares.

  9. Grease a 9-inch bread pan. Layer the stacks of dough into the pan. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes until the center is cooked through and the top is golden brown.

  10. While the bread is baking, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, eggnog and rum extract until very smooth. The glaze should be thick but still pourable. If it is too thin add more powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. If it is too thick, add more eggnog half teaspoon at a time.

  11. Remove the bread from the oven. While still warm, drizzle the glaze over the top. As it sits, the bread will absorb some of the icing’s moisture and flavor. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup chopped pecans.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories 846
  • Protein 10 g
  • Carbohydrates 106 g
  • Total Fat 43 g
  • Dietary Fiber 3 g
  • Cholesterol 98 mg
  • sodium 268 mg
  • Total Sugars 47 g

Eggnog Pull-Apart Bread

Questions & Reviews

Join the discussion below.

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  • Opal

    Do you have rhubarb recipes that do not use a lot of sugar or artificial sweetener?

    We have a Roasted Rhubarb and Chevre Grilled Cheese that you could check out.

  • Michelle

    Have you tried this with GF flour? I’m gluten and dairy free. It seems most recipes are adaptable if you know the right products to use. Just wondered if you’ve tried it?

    I have not tried it yet. We use bob's red mill 1:1 for most recipes, but sometimes I find you need less flour when using GF flour.

  • Rachel

    What could I swap for pecans? (nut allergy)

    You could use walnuts instead if you aren't allergic to those.

  • Kelly

    Delicious & easy, puffed beautifully. Made my place smell heavenly too! Trying to come up with different flavors to use inside too.

    Thanks Kelly, so glad you loved it!

  • Jenn

    Made this Christmas morning and it was so delicious! My family asked for it next year too!

    yay! That is so great to hear!