Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream

The rich, aromatic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves wafts through your kitchen as this Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream bakes to golden perfection. This festive dessert captures the essence of holiday baking with its moist, tender crumb and luxurious frosting that tastes just like your favorite holiday beverage. The warm spices complement the sweet, creamy eggnog frosting, creating a symphony of flavors that embodies the spirit of Christmas. You’ll learn how to create this showstopping holiday centerpiece that will have your guests asking for the recipe before they’ve even finished their first slice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream is destined to become your new holiday tradition for so many delicious reasons. The cake itself strikes the perfect balance between density and lightness—substantial enough to stand up to the rich frosting yet tender enough to melt in your mouth. The contrast between the warm, spice-infused cake layers and the cool, creamy buttercream creates an irresistible textural experience.

What makes this recipe truly special is how it captures nostalgic holiday flavors in every bite. The combination of fragrant spices evokes memories of Christmas morning, while the eggnog frosting adds a sophisticated twist that adults will appreciate. Despite its impressive appearance, this holiday spice cake is surprisingly straightforward to make, requiring no specialized equipment or techniques. Plus, you can prepare components ahead of time, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules. The festive flavors of this Christmas spiced cake will fill your home with the scent of holiday cheer.

Ingredients

For the Spice Cake:

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) buttermilk, room temperature

For the Eggnog Buttercream:

• 1 1/2 cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/4 cup (60ml) quality eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

The buttermilk creates an exceptionally moist holiday spice cake, while the combination of four aromatic spices delivers that quintessential Christmas flavor profile. Real eggnog in the buttercream (not eggnog flavoring) provides authentic taste and luxurious texture to your festive Christmas cake with eggnog frosting.

Pro Tips

Use Room Temperature Ingredients – Allow butter, eggs, and buttermilk to come to room temperature before mixing. This seemingly simple step is crucial for the Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream as it ensures proper emulsion of the batter, resulting in a more uniform, tender crumb. Cold ingredients don’t incorporate properly and can lead to a dense, uneven texture.

Proper Measuring Technique – For the most accurate results, measure flour by spooning it into measuring cups and leveling off with a knife rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup. Over-measuring flour is the most common reason for dry cakes. For this spice cake recipe, even a 2-tablespoon excess of flour can affect the final moisture content.

Don’t Overmix the Batter – Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your Christmas cake tough rather than tender. You should stop mixing as soon as the last streaks of flour disappear. This gentle handling preserves the delicate texture that makes this cake so special.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Having everything ready before you begin will make the process much smoother for your Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger until well combined. This thorough mixing ensures your spices will be evenly distributed throughout the cake, giving you that perfect Christmas flavor in every bite.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Don’t rush this step! Proper creaming incorporates air into the batter, which is essential for a light texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Stir in vanilla extract. Your batter should look smooth and silky at this point.

Step 5: Alternate Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk
With your mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk in two parts (beginning and ending with the dry ingredients). Mix just until combined after each addition. This alternating method prevents overmixing while ensuring all ingredients are properly incorporated.

Step 6: Bake the Cake
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cakes should spring back lightly when touched.

Step 7: Prepare the Eggnog Buttercream
While the cakes cool, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then mix in eggnog, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Beat on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until fluffy and light.

Step 8: Assemble the Cake
Once the cake layers have cooled completely, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread about 1 cup of eggnog buttercream on top. Position the second layer on top, then frost the top and sides with the remaining buttercream. For a festive touch, dust the top lightly with additional nutmeg or cinnamon.

Variations

Alcohol-Infused Holiday Version – For an adult-only version of this Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream, add 2 tablespoons of rum or bourbon to the cake batter and another tablespoon to the buttercream. The alcohol enhances the eggnog flavor while adding sophisticated depth. For extra indulgence, brush each cake layer with 2 tablespoons of rum simple syrup before frosting.

Dairy-Free Adaptation – Transform this recipe into a dairy-free treat by substituting the butter with solid coconut oil or vegan butter sticks. Replace buttermilk with a mixture of almond milk and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and use dairy-free eggnog for the buttercream. The spice profile remains unchanged, ensuring you still get that classic Christmas cake flavor even without traditional dairy products.

Cupcake Version – Convert this festive layer cake into charming individual servings by dividing the batter among 24 cupcake liners. Reduce baking time to 18-22 minutes, then top each cooled cupcake with a generous swirl of eggnog buttercream. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a small Christmas decoration for a delightful holiday dessert that’s perfect for parties.

Storage and Serving

This Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week, but allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving to experience its full flavor profile and soft texture. You can also freeze unfrosted cake layers tightly wrapped for up to 2 months – perfect for holiday prep.

For an elegant presentation, serve slices on dessert plates with a light dusting of cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg. Each slice pairs beautifully with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream. For a truly festive experience, serve alongside steaming cups of eggnog or spiced hot chocolate – the warm beverage enhances the cake’s spice notes. Consider garnishing the cake platter with fresh cranberries and mint leaves for a pop of color that complements this Christmas-themed dessert.

FAQs

Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes! You can bake the cake layers up to 3 days ahead and store them tightly wrapped at room temperature. The buttercream can be made 1-2 days ahead and refrigerated. Bring buttercream to room temperature and re-whip before frosting the cake.

Why is my cake dry?
Dry cake usually results from overbaking or measuring flour incorrectly. Use the toothpick test diligently and remember to spoon and level your flour rather than scooping directly from the container.

Can I use store-bought eggnog in the frosting?
Absolutely! Store-bought eggnog works perfectly in this recipe. Choose a high-quality, full-fat version for the richest flavor in your Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream.

How do I prevent my cake layers from sticking to the pans?
Always grease your pans well and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Allow cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Can I add other spices to the cake?
Yes! While this recipe creates a classic Christmas spice profile, feel free to adjust the spice amounts or add cardamom, allspice, or even a pinch of black pepper for a personalized flavor in your holiday spice cake.

Conclusion

This Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream is comfort food at its finest — a tender, aromatic cake that wraps you in the warm embrace of holiday spices while the creamy eggnog frosting adds a luxurious finish that feels like Christmas in every bite. It’s the kind of dessert that becomes the centerpiece of your holiday table, creating memories as families gather around to share not just a delicious treat but also the joy and togetherness that make the season special. Whether it’s for Christmas dinner or a festive gathering, this cake doesn’t just feed the body—it nourishes the spirit of the season.

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