Welcome the holiday season with this absolutely decadent eggnog cake! It’s a delightful blend of warm spices and creamy eggnog, baked into a tender, moist cake. You’ll layer it with a luscious cream cheese frosting, a hint of rum simple syrup, and a smooth white chocolate ganache for an unforgettable dessert. Get ready to bake a show-stopping festive treat everyone will adore.
Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Cake
- Festive Holiday Flavors: This cake perfectly captures the cozy, spiced essence of the holidays. Each bite tastes like a winter celebration.
- Moist, Tender Texture: The batter, infused with real eggnog, bakes into an incredibly soft and tender crumb. It truly melts in your mouth.
- Impressive Presentation: With its beautiful layers, creamy frosting, and elegant ganache drizzle, this eggnog cake looks stunning on any dessert table.
- Easy-to-Follow Steps: Our simple, clear instructions break down the process into manageable parts. Even beginners can achieve bakery-quality results.
- Crowd-Plasing Appeal: Everyone from kids to adults will rave about this delicious and unique holiday dessert. It’s perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this amazing eggnog cake:
For the Eggnog Cake:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp nutmeg (ground)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (ground)
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup eggnog (room temperature)
For the Rum Simple Syrup:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp rum
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 8 oz cream cheese (full fat, room temperature)
- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 tsp nutmeg (ground, optional)
For the White Chocolate Ganache:
- 3 oz white chocolate (chopped)
- 1 oz heavy whipping cream (or eggnog)
Notes & Substitutions
You can easily adapt this recipe to fit your preferences. For the eggnog, use your favorite store-bought brand or homemade version. Ensure it is full-fat for the best richness in your eggnog cake. Unsalted butter is best for controlling saltiness, but salted butter works if that’s what you have; just reduce the added salt in the recipe by half. Adjust the amount of nutmeg and cinnamon in the cake and frosting to suit your taste. For a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Use dairy-free eggnog, butter, and cream cheese to make this holiday treat suitable for dairy-free diets.
Equipment
Gather these essential tools before you begin baking:
- Three 8-inch round cake pans
- Large mixing bowls
- Whisk and rubber spatula
- Electric mixer (stand or hand-held)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small saucepan
- Wire cooling rack
- Offset spatula or knife for frosting
Instructions
Creating this festive eggnog cake is a fun process. Follow these simple steps for a delicious result.
For the Eggnog Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set these dry ingredients aside. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the room temperature unsalted butter with both granulated sugar and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the large eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the room temperature eggnog, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix only until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Divide the batter evenly among your three prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Rum Simple Syrup
While the cakes cool, prepare the simple syrup. Combine the water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the rum. Allow the rum simple syrup to cool completely before using.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and full-fat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, about one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until combined, then increasing to medium speed. Continue until all the powdered sugar is incorporated. Mix in the ground nutmeg and vanilla extract. Whip the frosting on medium-high speed for another 2-3 minutes until it becomes light, fluffy, and spreadable.
For the White Chocolate Ganache
Finely chop the white chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, gently heat the heavy whipping cream (or eggnog) until it just begins to simmer around the edges, but do not boil. Pour the hot cream directly over the chopped white chocolate. Let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt. Gently stir the mixture with a whisk until it is completely smooth and glossy. Allow the ganache to cool at room temperature until it reaches your desired drizzling consistency, about 15-20 minutes.
Assembly
Once the cakes are completely cool, gently brush the tops of each cake layer with the cooled rum simple syrup. Place one cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread about one-third of the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the first layer. Carefully place the second cake layer on top, pressing down gently. Repeat with another one-third of the frosting. Add the final cake layer and cover the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing it out. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes to set the frosting slightly. Once chilled, slowly drizzle the cooled white chocolate ganache over the top, letting it cascade down the sides. Decorate your finished eggnog cake with a dusting of extra nutmeg or cinnamon, or festive sprinkles, as desired.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Always use room temperature ingredients for the cake batter and frosting. This ensures everything combines smoothly, creating a uniform, lump-free mixture. Avoid overmixing your cake batter; overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tough, dry cake. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined. For even baking, ensure your oven temperature is accurate and rotate your cake pans halfway through baking. If your cream cheese frosting curdles, it’s usually because the butter and cream cheese weren’t at the same room temperature. Keep beating it; sometimes it comes together. For ganache consistency issues, if it’s too thin, let it cool longer; if too thick, gently warm it over a double boiler or in the microwave for a few seconds. Always allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This delicious eggnog cake is a wonderful centerpiece for any holiday meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delightful eggnog cake chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference. It pairs wonderfully with a warm mug of coffee, hot cocoa, or, of course, a glass of chilled eggnog. Garnish each slice with a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an extra festive touch. A small sprig of holly (inedible) can also add a beautiful presentation.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover eggnog cake covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually meld and often improve overnight. For longer storage, slices can be wrapped individually in plastic wrap, then foil, and frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen cake slices in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Variations
Feel free to experiment with this versatile recipe. Instead of rum, try brandy, bourbon, or a non-alcoholic rum extract in the simple syrup for different flavor profiles. You can adjust the spice blend in the cake and frosting by adding a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for more complexity. For alternative toppings, consider candied pecans, toasted walnuts, or edible gold dust. This recipe can also be adapted to make festive eggnog cupcakes; simply adjust baking time accordingly.
Nutrition Information
Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of this delicious cake:
| Nutrient | Amount (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 520 kcal |
| Total Fat | 28g |
| Saturated Fat | 17g |
| Cholesterol | 105mg |
| Sodium | 260mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62g |
| Sugars | 45g |
| Protein | 5g |
Please note: These are estimated values based on standard ingredient calculations. Actual nutritional content may vary based on specific brands, preparation methods, and serving sizes.
FAQ
Q: Can I make this eggnog cake ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can bake the cake layers a day in advance and store them, wrapped, at room temperature. Frosting can be made ahead too.
Q: Can I omit the rum from the simple syrup?
A: Yes, you can easily leave out the rum. The simple syrup will still add moisture and sweetness to the cake.
Q: Why is my cake dry?
A: A dry cake often results from overmixing the batter or baking for too long. Ensure you measure accurately and bake only until a skewer comes out clean.
Q: How do I prevent sticky frosting?
A: Ensure your powdered sugar is sifted to prevent lumps, and beat the frosting until light and fluffy. A brief chill helps to set the frosting.
Q: Can I use store-bought eggnog?
A: Yes, store-bought eggnog works perfectly for this recipe. Just make sure it’s full-fat and at room temperature for the best results.
Conclusion
This Festive Eggnog Cake Recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration in every slice. With its rich, spiced layers, creamy frosting, and elegant ganache, it embodies the warmth and joy of the holiday season. We encourage you to try this simple yet stunning recipe and create unforgettable memories with loved ones. Happy baking, and enjoy this delightful taste of the holidays!
