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Eggnog Coffee Cake Recipe + Bundt cake option

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You are going to love this mouthwatering and simple eggnog coffee cake recipe, because who doesn’t like cake for breakfast!? Tender, fluffy coffee cake gently spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon and topped with a warm brown sugar streusel, drizzled with a simple eggnog glaze.

Is eggnog your jam? Got leftover eggnog? I adore eggnog; straight up, frothed in a latte and it’s a fabulous ingredient to use in baking! But even if you are not a fan of eggnog and you are only here looking for leftover eggnog recipes – I have you covered. 

If you love this leftover eggnog recipe, you will enjoy my Eggnog Scones and these Eggnog Gooey Butter Cookies and don’t forget to make this Starbucks Eggnog Latte! If you bake at high altitude, plus how to make this into an eggnog bundt cake — I’ve got all of the tips and tricks!

Slice of eggnog coffee cake on a pretty red winter plate with greens.

Why You Will Love this recipe

  • Minutes to whip up! Plus you can prepare the batter the night before, making it the perfect Christmas morning coffee cake!
  • Leftover Eggnog Recipe | Use up that leftover eggnog and surprise your family with this delicious and moist cake.

If you are looking for more great coffee cake recipes, you will want to try my Easy Pumpkin Spice Coffee cake, this Cranberry Christmas cake is crazy good and this popular Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake (started with a cake mix) and my personal favorite Blueberry Crumb Cake. And while it’s not a cake, these Cinnamon rolls are definitely worth making.

Simple Ingredients for Eggnog Bundt Cake

Ingredients, directions and nutritional information in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.

Eggnog coffee cake labeled ingredients.
  • Butter | Use real cream butter, my mantra is “it’s not real butter if it is soft out of the fridge.
  • Sugar | White or all natural cane sugar here, I always bake with cane sugar
  • Eggs | Eggs add moisture and will bind your ingredients together.
  • Eggnog | I prefer full-fat eggnog, but lower fat versions will work fine, as well as plant-based eggnog such as Silk Soy Nog.
  • Greek Yogurt | You can also replace this with sour cream, I use full-fat when using either. 
  • Leavening | We will use both baking powder and baking soda along with a little salt in this recipe, reducing the amounts for high altitude recipes. 
  • Flour | Use a good unbleached, all-purpose flour, I like this organic flour
  • Vanilla Extract | Use homemade vanilla extract, bourbon vanilla extract or rum extract.
  • Nutmeg | A little fresh nutmeg goes a long way to amplify the flavor in this eggnog cake recipe. 
  • Streusel Topping Ingredients | You will make a quick brown sugar streusel topping with a little butter, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Slice of eggnog bundt cake coffee cake on white plate.

Instructions

Decide which type of pan you will use. I tested this in a 9×13 inch pan and a 10 cup bundt pan and it worked fabulous! Be sure to spray your pan well with a flour based baking spray, or butter it well, then dust with a little flour. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (375 degrees for high altitude).

Slice of eggnog coffee cake top down shot with gold fork.

Step 1 | Make up the Brown Sugar Streusel Topping

In a small mixing bowl or baggie, using your hands or a fork, combine brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg (and nuts if using) until mixture is combined and sticks together when squeezed. Set aside. 

Step 2 | Making Eggnog Coffee Cake

In a large batter bowl or stand mixer cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy and well combined. 

Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low for 1 minute after each addition. Scrape sides of bowl.

Whisk together eggnog, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. 

Measure out the eggnog in a 2 cup measuring cup (remember you only need one cup though), you will have room to mix in the Greek yogurt and vanilla, saving a dish!

In a 4 cup or larger bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg until combined. 

Alternately add a ½ cup at a time of the flour mixture and the eggnog mixture, beating well after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl and then mix on medium speed for 1 minute. 

Spread the mixture evenly into prepared pan, then top with streusel topping*.

Bundt Pan Prep | Two Ways

  • Streusel on Top | Fill the bundt pan with all of the batter, then sprinkle streusel topping on top, pressing gently into the batter. 
  • Streusel Center | Spread a little more than ½ the batter into the prepared bundt pan, then sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter, spreading the remaining batter on top. 

Step 3 | Baking the Eggnog Cake Recipe

Bake on center rack of oven. 

  • 9×13 inch pan | bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs is fine).
  • Bundt Pan | bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

Remove from oven, cool 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack to cool further. 

Step 4 | Making Eggnog Glaze

Allow the coffee cake to cool for 10-20 minutes, then make the easy eggnog glaze to go on top. 

In a small bowl stir together eggnog and powdered sugar along with ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg; add eggnog a little at a time, until desired consistency. Drizzle on top of cake. I suggest doubling the glaze if drizzling over a bundt cake as you have more “real estate” to cover so to speak. 

Overnight Coffee Cake Instructions

If making the night before, assemble the cake through the streusel topping and store covered in the refrigerator overnight. Bring to room temperature while preheating the oven. Bake as directed.

*Streusel topping may be put on the night before, or the morning of, I have not found that it makes much difference. 

High Altitude Coffee Cake with eggnog

This recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to high altitude, but I have a few adjustments for you.

  1. Increase unbleached all-purpose flour by ¼ cup.
  2. Reduce granulated sugar to ¾ cup
  3. Reduce baking powder to 1 teaspoon
  4. Batter should be thick, but if too dry then add a little extra whole milk, eggnog, do not overmix. I used an extra tablespoon.
  5. Increase baking temperature to 375F degrees and start checking for doneness at 35 minutes (9×13 and 45 for Bundt), covering if needed if browning too quickly.
Slice of eggnog coffee cake bundt on plate with eggnog in glass behind.

Variations & Substitutions

  • No eggnog? No worries, you can substitute 1:1 with milk, buttermilk or cream in baking recipes, but add a little extra nutmeg and vanilla. substitute eggnog in cake mix
  • For a dairy free, lactose free version, substitute eggnog with a plant based eggnog and replace butter with your favorite plant based butter, or coconut oil.
  • Love nuts? I love nuts on my eggnog coffee cake, but my son has a tree-nut allergy, so I leave them off; stir in ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds to the streusel topping for this Christmas coffee cake. 
  • Gluten-Free Eggnog Coffee Cake | I have had great luck swapping out the regular flour with my favorite Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour, let me know if you try it!
  • Make it a Cranberry Eggnog Coffee Cake | Add up to 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries folding into the batter at the very end, before the streusel.

Fresh Tips

  • Do not over bake this cake, it’s light, with a heavy, tender crumb, a bit like this Cranberry Christmas Cake that is so good, almost pound cake like!
  • The batter is thick, not really pourable, but should be spreadable!
  • Split the batter and you have a BOGO, well a MTEO (make two, eat one) but that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. Split batter into two 8×8 square pans or even two 8” round cake pans, like this Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake
Eggnog coffee cake in sheet pan drizzled with eggnog glaze.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for eggnog?

Oops, maybe your son drained the eggnog at midnight (true story). Substitute 1:1 for milk, buttermilk and/or cream in baking recipes, adding ¼ teaspoon extra nutmeg and vanilla.

Why is coffee cake called coffee cake ?

I was once in a heated debate over this very question. Why is it called coffee cake when it doesn’t contain any coffee? Apparently there is a big difference between what Americans call coffee cake and what the British call coffee cake. 

In America, we call any cake for breakfast a coffee cake, even if it does have coffee in it. American coffee cakes typically have a streusel or crumb topping and are delicious served with coffee during breakfast hours. 

In Great Britain however; coffee cake only denotes a cake with coffee in the cake! So if that is what you are looking for, here are my favorite “coffee in the cake cakes”. Popular Tiramisu, Mini French Silk Pies, Guinness Chocolate Cake, Espresso Brownie Bites and Milk Stout Fudge Brownies

Can I use Eggnog as Coffee Cream?

Yes! Eggnog makes a delicious coffee creamer, or if preferred warm a little in a pan and then froth with a frother and pour into a strong cup of coffee, top with whipped cream and fresh grated nutmeg. 

Can you substitute eggnog in cake mix?

Yes, if you are baking a cake, you can use eggnog as the substitute for any liquid called for in a cake mix. Makes it richer, festive and oh so flavorful!

Storage

Store the leftover coffee cake (completely cooled) covered on the counter for up to 4 days, refrigerate up to 7 days and if desired, freeze (best to hold off on the glaze until you thaw) up to 3 months in airtight wrapping. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results. 

Glazed eggnog coffee cake bundt cake sprinkled with fresh nutmeg.
Isn’t it pretty!

Why Use Fresh Grated Nutmeg?

I’m glad you asked. This is one spice that I adore using fresh grated nutmeg, the flavor, taste explodes on your taste buds using fresh grated nutmeg. A nutmeg grater is super handy as it will collect the nutmeg for you, but I just use this microplane grater, since I use this for other nuts and spices too. 

It’s inexpensive and so easy and pretty to use as a garnish on coffee cakes, scones, coffee drinks and I love it on white sauce pastas like Alfredo’s or it’s especially delicious on this Panera Copycat Autumn Squash Soup

Eggnog coffee cake with streusel with square removed from pan.

What to serve with Eggnog Coffee Cake

Overnight coffee cake with eggnog recipe pin with three images of a variety of ways to bake and serve eggnog coffee cake.

I hope you loved this recipe eggnog coffee cake — if you did, would you share your creation on InstagramFacebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!

Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and comment below the recipe!

Slice of eggnog coffee cake on a pretty red winter plate with greens.

Eggnog Coffee Cake (overnight option)

Author: Kathleen Pope
5 from 2 votes
Tender, fluffy coffee cake gently spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon and topped with a warm brown sugar streusel, drizzled with a simple eggnog glaze. With easy overnight instructions and high altitude adjustments.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Holiday Sweets
Cuisine American
Servings 12 -15 servings
Calories 272 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Eggnog Coffee Cake

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, High Altitude H.A. ¾ cup
  • 2 eggs, large
  • 1 cup Eggnog, H.A, Add extra tablespoon or two
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt, plain, or sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, bourbon vanilla or rum extract
  • 2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour, add ¼ cup for H.A.
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, reduce to 1 teaspoon for H.A.
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Streusel Topping

  • ½ cup brown sugar, light or dark brown
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons butter, room temp
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ cup chopped pecans, optional

Eggnog Glaze

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon eggnog
  • teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions
 

  • I have tested this in a 9×13 inch pan and a 10 cup bundt pan and it worked fabulous! Be sure to spray your pan well with a flour based baking spray, or butter it well, then dust with a little flour. 
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (375 degrees for high altitude).
  • Make up the Brown Sugar Streusel ToppingIn a small mixing bowl or baggie, using your hands or a fork, combine brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg (and nuts if using) until mixture is combined and sticks together when squeezed. Set aside. 
  • Making Eggnog Coffee CakeIn a large batter bowl or stand mixer cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy and well combined. 
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low for 1 minute after each addition. Scrape sides of bowl.
  • Whisk together eggnog, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. 
  • Measure out the eggnog in a 2 cup measuring cup (remember you only need one cup though), you will have room to mix in the Greek yogurt and vanilla, saving a dish!
  • In a 4 cup or larger bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg until combined. 
  • Alternately add a ½ cup at a time of the flour mixture and the eggnog mixture, beating well after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl and then mix on medium speed for 1 minute. 
  • Spread the mixture evenly into prepared pan, then top with streusel topping*.
  • Bundt Pan Prep | Two Ways
    Streusel on Top
    Fill the bundt pan with all of the batter, then sprinkle streusel topping on top, pressing gently into the batter. 
  • Streusel Center
    Spread a little more than ½ the batter into the prepared bundt pan, then sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter, spreading the remaining batter on top. 
  • Step 3 | Baking the Eggnog Cake Recipe Bake on center rack of oven. For 9×13 pan bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs is fine). Bundt Pan | Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 
  • Remove from oven, cool 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack to cool further. 
  • Overnight InstructionsIf making the night before, assemble the cake through the streusel topping and store covered in the refrigerator overnight. Bring to room temperature while preheating the oven. Bake as directed. *Streusel topping may be put on the night before, or the morning of, I have not found that it makes much difference. 
  • Allow the coffee cake to cool for 10-20 minutes, then make the easy eggnog glaze to go on top. In a small bowl stir together eggnog and powdered sugar along with ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg; add eggnog a little at a time, until desired consistency. Drizzle on top of cake. I suggest doubling the glaze if drizzling over a bundt cake as you have more “real estate” to cover so to speak.

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

High Altitude Eggnog Coffee Cake

This recipe is pretty forgiving when it comes to high altitude, but I have a few adjustments for you.
  1. Increase unbleached all-purpose flour by ¼ cup.
  2. Reduce granulated sugar to ¾ cup
  3. Reduce baking powder to 1 teaspoon
  4. Batter should be thick, but if too dry then add a little extra whole milk, eggnog, do not overmix. I used an extra tablespoon.
  5. Increase baking temperature to 375F degrees and start checking for doneness at 35 minutes (9×13 and 45 for Bundt), covering if needed if browning too quickly.

Variations & Substitutions

  • No eggnog? No worries, you can substitute 1:1 with milk, buttermilk or cream in baking recipes, but add a little extra nutmeg and vanilla. 
  • For a dairy free, lactose free version, substitute eggnog with a plant based eggnog and replace butter with your favorite plant based butter, or coconut oil.
  • Love nuts? I love nuts on my eggnog coffee cake, but my son has a tree-nut allergy, so I leave them off; stir in ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds to the streusel topping for this Christmas coffee cake. 
  • Gluten-Free Eggnog Coffee Cake | I have had great luck swapping out the regular flour with my favorite Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour, let me know if you try it!  

Tips

  • Do not overbake this cake, it’s light, with a heavy, tender crumb, a bit like this Cranberry Christmas Cake that is so good, almost pound cake like!
  • Split the batter and you have a BOGO, well a MTEO (make two, eat one) but that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. Split batter into two 8×8 square pans or even two 8” round cake pans, like this Copycat Starbucks Coffee Cake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice Calories: 272 kcal Carbohydrates: 42 g Protein: 6 g Fat: 9 g Saturated Fat: 6 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g Cholesterol: 57 mg Sodium: 220 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 25 g

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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6 Comments

  1. Hi ! Haven’t yet made this super coffeecake but will for Christmas. My question, as I’ll be using a bunt pan can I put some of the streusel mixture first in the pan, then one half of the batter, more streusel and then the rest of the batter . I want the streusel on the top of the cake. Thank you for the recipe, can’t wait to eat it ! 😄🎄

  2. The bundt pan makes such a pretty cake! I’m loving how soft this crumb looks! And cake for breakfast is always a win in my book too. 😉

      1. Well I just spent my valuable time lovingly making this recipe in my Bundt pan. All looked good. Took it out of the oven, set my timer for 20 minutes, came back to take it out of the pan and it was collapsed in on itself. I followed the recipe to the letter and am a seasoned baker. So disappointed.

        1. So sorry to hear that Kathleen, never like hearing when a recipe doesn’t turn out for a reader. Sounds like you might not have baked it long enough, that is the typical problem with bundt cakes especially. They can be tricky at times, seem like they are done and they really aren’t – I like using a wooden skewer and it should come out clean, with only a few crumbs once it’s baked. Make sure that your oven is correctly heating to the baking temperature by using an oven thermometer. Or your baking soda and/or baking powder could be old that can also cause a cake to deflate, though I suspect it was underbaking. It happens to the best of us. But so sorry you were disappointed.