Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream
Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream is a festive holiday dessert that captures the warm flavors of the season. Rich spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are balanced perfectly in a moist cake, topped with a creamy, decadent eggnog buttercream. This show-stopping cake is perfect for holiday gatherings, family celebrations, or as a sweet centerpiece on your Christmas dessert table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cake combines classic holiday spices with the creamy richness of eggnog-flavored frosting. The layers are tender and flavorful, while the buttercream adds a smooth, sweet finish. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s both comforting and indulgent, making it a perfect treat for festive occasions.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approx.)
Knowing the nutritional content helps you enjoy this indulgent dessert responsibly. This section provides insight into calories, fat, sugar, and carbohydrates per serving, helping you plan portions for holiday indulgence.
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Protein: 5g
- Sugar: 35g
Values may vary depending on ingredients and portion size.
Time Breakdown
Christmas Spice Cake requires manageable prep, baking, and frosting time. This section helps you plan your holiday baking schedule, ensuring you can enjoy freshly baked cake without stress.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Cooling & Frosting: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
This cake is manageable for a holiday dessert, providing a balance of prep and baking time that works well for festive gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This cake uses familiar pantry staples enhanced with holiday spices and rich molasses. Combined with eggnog, these ingredients create a moist, flavorful, and festive cake that’s perfect for Christmas celebrations.
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup molasses
For the Eggnog Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup eggnog
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional, for garnish)
Condensed Grocery Checklist
A concise shopping list ensures you gather all essentials efficiently. From dry ingredients to butter, molasses, and eggnog, this checklist simplifies holiday baking and keeps you organized.
- Flour
- Baking powder & baking soda
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Buttermilk
- Molasses
- Powdered sugar
- Eggnog
How to Make – Step by Step
The baking process is straightforward, with clear steps for mixing, baking, and frosting the cake. Following this section ensures tender layers, smooth buttercream, and a beautiful, professional-looking cake.
1. Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry. Stir in molasses until fully incorporated.
5. Bake: Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
6. Make buttercream: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then eggnog and vanilla, until smooth and spreadable.
7. Frost the cake: Layer cakes with buttercream in between and cover the top and sides. Sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg for garnish.
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
This cake is versatile and can be customized to suit personal tastes or dietary needs. Swap spices, adjust sweetness, or add nuts, fruits, or alternative frostings to create your ideal holiday dessert.
- Molasses: Can substitute with maple syrup for a lighter flavor.
- Spices: Adjust cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to taste; add ginger for extra warmth.
- Frosting: Use cream cheese frosting instead of eggnog buttercream for tangy richness.
- Nuts & Fruits: Fold in chopped pecans, walnuts, or dried cranberries for texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Christmas Spice Cake is perfect as a centerpiece dessert for holiday dinners, parties, or festive brunches. Pair it with coffee, hot cocoa, or spiced cider to elevate the celebratory experience.
- Serve as a centerpiece dessert at Christmas dinner or holiday parties.
- Pair with a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or spiced cider.
- Decorate with sugared cranberries or festive sprinkles for extra holiday cheer.
Storing Tips
Proper storage ensures your cake remains moist and flavorful. Whether kept at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen, these tips help maintain the cake’s texture and quality for days after baking.
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting or serving.
Chef’s Special Tips
A few professional touches can elevate your holiday cake. From leveling layers and brushing with rum to ensuring smooth buttercream, these tips help you create a visually stunning and delicious festive dessert.
- Ensure cakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting the buttercream.
- Sift powdered sugar for a smooth, creamy frosting.
- For extra flavor, brush cake layers lightly with rum or brandy before frosting.
- Use a serrated knife to level cake layers for a professional look.
Conclusion
Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream is a festive, flavorful dessert that perfectly captures the spirit of the holidays. With tender, spiced layers and rich, creamy frosting, it’s ideal for family gatherings, holiday parties, or as a special treat to celebrate the season. Bake this festive cake and delight your family and friends with a holiday classic full of warmth and cheer.