There’s something magical about an eggnog coffee cake fresh from the oven. The warm spices, the tender crumb, and that buttery streusel on top feel like the best parts of the season baked into a single slice. This recipe is simple enough for beginners, but it still teaches the foundations of good holiday baking—like why room-temperature butter matters or how eggnog transforms texture.

If you’ve been wanting a festive bake that feels special without being complicated, this eggnog coffee cake is exactly where to begin.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 slices

Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Coffee Cake

• The crumb stays incredibly tender thanks to the combination of butter and sour cream
• Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or gifting to neighbors
• The streusel gives you flavor, crunch, and aroma without extra steps
• Beginner bakers learn core skills: creaming butter, checking doneness, and keeping flour properly measured
• Eggnog adds richness and warmth that makes the whole cake taste like the holidays

Equipment

• 8-inch round cake pan
• Parchment paper
• Measuring cups and bowls
• Spatula

Ingredients

Streusel Topping

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Cake

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 6 tablespoons sour cream
• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon eggnog
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Eggnog Glaze

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons eggnog
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Pinch of cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C).
Line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment, then lightly coat the parchment and pan sides with non-stick spray.

Why this matters:
Parchment keeps the cake from sticking, especially since eggnog coffee cake has a tender crumb that can break if you rely only on spray.

Step 2: Make the Streusel

Whisk the flour and brown sugar together, breaking up any clumps.
Add the cinnamon and nutmeg, then stir in the melted butter until the mixture is fully moistened.

Baking insight:
A good streusel should feel like damp sand—never oily and never powdery. The melted butter coats each granule of sugar so it crisps beautifully in the oven.

Set aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.

Why we do this:
Creaming incorporates air into the butter, giving your eggnog coffee cake lift and softness. Skipping this step makes the cake dense.

Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg and egg yolk until smooth.
Add the sour cream and eggnog, then blend until the batter looks creamy.
Mix in the vanilla.

Baking insight:
Sour cream adds moisture and tenderness, while eggnog adds flavor and richness. The combination keeps the cake soft even after it cools.

Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients

Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix just until the batter is smooth.
The batter will be thick—this is exactly what you want.

Why it’s thick:
Thicker batter supports the weight of the streusel so it doesn’t sink into the cake.

Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan and sprinkle the streusel over the top.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 40–45 minutes.
The top should be golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few soft crumbs.

Allow the cake to cool before removing it from the pan.
The streusel will crisp up as it cools.

Step 7: Make the Glaze

Whisk the powdered sugar, eggnog, nutmeg, and cinnamon until smooth.
Drizzle over the cooled cake.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

What Makes This Eggnog Coffee Cake a Holiday Keeper

This eggnog coffee cake is the kind of recipe you make once and immediately add to your yearly rotation. It’s reliable, beginner-friendly, and filled with flavor thanks to simple, well-balanced ingredients. Every step teaches a foundation of baking—from creaming to leveling flour—and every slice tastes like the holidays.

And as always, remember: baking isn’t about perfection. It’s about practice, patience, and learning your way through each step. The more you bake, the more confident you become—one cozy, delicious recipe at a time.

Explore Our Favorite Holiday Bakes

• How to make an Eggnog Layer Cake
• How to make my Grandmama’s Sweet Potato Pie
• How to make Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
• How to make Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
• Red Velvet Pound Cake
• Holiday Yule Log
• How to make Christmas Tree Puff Pastry Sandwiches