Go Back

Moist Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream – Easy Holiday Dessert Recipe

Moist Christmas spice cake with eggnog buttercream is the ultimate festive treat! With warm holiday spices baked into a soft, flavorful cake and topped with rich, creamy eggnog frosting, this dessert is perfect for Christmas parties, holiday dinners, or cozy winter celebrations.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American holiday baking, Festive Comfort Food
Servings 12
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Cake pans (two 9-inch round)
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Offset spatula

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • ¼ tsp cloves
  • ¼ tsp allspice

For the Eggnog Buttercream:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup eggnog (non-alcoholic or spiked)
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Optional Garnishes:

  • Sugared cranberries
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Festive sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Prepare Batter: Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
  • Add Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add gradually to wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until smooth.
  • Bake: Divide batter into greased cake pans. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool: Let cakes cool completely on wire racks. Chill briefly for easier frosting.
  • Make Buttercream: Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then whip in eggnog and nutmeg until fluffy.
  • Frost & Garnish: Spread buttercream generously over cooled cake layers. Garnish with cranberries, cinnamon sticks, or sprinkles.

Notes

  • Add cocoa powder for a chocolate spice cake.
  •  Vegan option: use plant-based butter and cashew cream frosting.
  •  Gluten-free: substitute almond flour or GF blend.
  •  Adapt into cupcakes or Bundt cake with eggnog glaze.
  •  Eggnog buttercream tastes best fresh—make the day of serving.
Keyword Christmas spice cake, cozy baking, eggnog buttercream, Festive Cake Recipe, Holiday Dessert