Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream: 5 Bliss Bites

If Christmas had a flavor, this Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream would be it. Warm, nostalgic, and a little bit extra (in the best way), this cake wraps everything we love about the holidays into one show-stopping dessert. Whether you’re juggling work, kids, gift wrapping, or all three at once—this beauty delivers big flavor without requiring bakery-level talent. And yes, it will absolutely make your kitchen smell like the inside of Santa’s favorite candle.

As someone who lives for all things chicken and Christmas baking (I contain multitudes!), I promise you—this cake is worth every minute. It’s soft, moist, warmly spiced, and topped with the dreamiest eggnog buttercream that feels like a holiday hug.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream

Let me paint the picture: it’s a chilly December afternoon, Mariah Carey is defrosting in the background, and your home smells like cinnamon, nutmeg, and holiday joy. This cake brings that scene to life—minus the stress that usually comes with fancy holiday baking.

Here’s why this recipe is about to become your holiday MVP:

• It uses real holiday spices without going overboard—your tastebuds will thank you.
• The batter comes together easily with ingredients you likely have on hand (or can find without hiking across the store).
• The eggnog buttercream is creamy, festive, and borderline addictive.
• It’s impressive enough for a Christmas dinner centerpiece yet simple enough for a casual family gathering.
• And—my favorite part—it’s forgiving. A little uneven frosting? No worries. We call that “rustic Christmas charm.”

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake

• 1 cup unsalted butter (cut into 1-inch pieces, softened)
• 1 cup eggnog
• 3 cups cake flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp rum flavoring
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp oil
• 3 eggs (room temperature)
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk

For the Eggnog Buttercream

• 4 tbsp milk
• 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp rum flavoring
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

How to Make This Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream

This recipe follows a simple, foolproof process—perfect for busy bakers who want a showstopper without the chaos. Let’s walk through it together.

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Cake Pans

Preheat your oven to 325°F, the sweet spot for baking a tender cake without browning it too fast.

Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. Don’t skimp on this part—nothing tests holiday cheer like a stubborn cake stuck in the pan.

Step 2: Mix the Dry and Wet Ingredients Separately

Grab two bowls—one for team dry, one for team wet.

Dry ingredients:
Flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Give them a good whisk to blend the spices evenly.

Wet ingredients:
Eggnog, milk, oil, vanilla bean paste, rum extract, and eggs.
Mix well until everything looks smooth and happy.

This step helps your cake bake evenly and prevents overmixing later (trust me, the cake appreciates it).

Step 3: Combine Butter with the Dry Ingredients

Now for the bakery magic.

Add your butter (softened, not melted!) into the dry mixture.
Start mixing on low speed, then increase to medium. You’re looking for a soft, sandy texture—kind of like snow that’s not quite good enough for a snowman.

This step creates that melt-in-your-mouth crumb everyone raves about at Christmas parties.

Step 4: Add the Liquid Ingredients

Pour about a third of the liquid mixture into your flour-butter blend.
Mix on low to medium for 30 seconds—just enough to get things acquainted.
Then add the remaining liquid and mix until smooth and uniform.

Don’t let the mixer run wild. Overmixing is the enemy of tenderness.

Finish by scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula and giving everything one final gentle mix.

Step 5: Bake the Cakes

Divide the batter evenly into your prepared pans.

Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with soft crumbs—not totally clean. That’s how you know your cake will be moist.

Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
Christmas magic can’t happen until they’re completely cool.

Step 6: Make the Eggnog Buttercream

This frosting is dreamy enough to make elves weep.

1. Beat the softened butter on medium until fluffy.
2. Add three cups of powdered sugar and mix—low first, then medium.
3. Add two tablespoons of milk and the remaining powdered sugar.
4. Add the final tablespoon of milk (as needed), rum extract, vanilla paste, nutmeg, and salt.
5. Whip until the buttercream looks cloud-like.

If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk.
Too thin? Add powdered sugar.

You’re the boss of this buttercream universe.

Step 7: Assemble the Cake

Once your layers are cool (absolutely no cheating—warm cake = frosting meltdown), spread a generous layer of buttercream between them.

Then frost the top and edges. Go simple or swirl it like a winter snowdrift—you can’t go wrong.

Serve, admire, inhale the holiday aroma, and enjoy every bite.

Tips for the Best Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream

• Use room-temperature ingredients. Cold eggs make batter grumpy.
• Fresh nutmeg makes a difference. It’s brighter, warmer, and more aromatic—holiday gold.
• Don’t rush the cooling. Warm cake + buttercream = heartbreak.
• Make it ahead! This cake tastes even better the next day as the spices bloom.
• Want extra flair? Add sugared cranberries or a dusting of nutmeg on top. Instant holiday magazine vibes.

Personal note: This cake is one of my go-tos for holiday gatherings. My family devours it, and every year someone says, “You made this?” like I didn’t just walk them through making homemade chicken dinners all year long. Holiday amnesia, I guess!

FAQs About Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream

Bring Home the Magic of Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream

If you’re craving a holiday dessert that feels nostalgic, smells heavenly, and tastes like a warm Christmas hug, this Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream is the answer. It’s festive, impressive, and wonderfully simple—everything a busy home cook needs this season.

So tie on your coziest apron, turn up the Christmas music, and let your kitchen shine with holiday magic. You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Want help pairing this with a holiday chicken dinner? You know I’m your girl—just ask!

Keep the Holiday Magic Rolling

If you’re already dreaming about your next festive treat, you’re in the perfect place! Here are some reader-favorite Christmas desserts that pair beautifully with your Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream. Each one adds its own little sprinkle of joy to any holiday table—consider them your next delicious adventure!

• Gingerbread Truffles – Bite-sized, cozy, and bursting with warm spice… these disappear faster than you can say “save me one!”
• Black Forest Trifle for Christmas – Layers of chocolate, cherries, and holiday magic. Perfect when you want a true showstopper.
• Christmas Red Velvet Cheesecake – Ultra creamy, festive, and stunning on any dessert table. Your guests will ask for the recipe.
• Christmas Pinwheel Cookies – Fun, cute, and endlessly cheerful. These cookies bring pure holiday joy with every swirl.

Feel free to explore them all—your tastebuds deserve a full Christmas celebration!

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