Name: Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/8 teaspoon fine salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon fine salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1/3 cup eggnog, room temperature; 1/4 cup sour cream, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3/4 cup powdered sugar; 4 to 5 tablespoons eggnog; 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; Sprinkles, for garnish

There’s something so comforting about the warm spices and creamy richness in this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe that just invites you to take a second (or third) slice. It’s the perfect blend of festive holiday flavors baked into a tender cake topped with a buttery, crumbly streusel that feels like a cozy hug on a chilly day.

A close-up of a silver rectangular baking pan filled with a single-layer yellow crumbly cake topped with uneven white glaze spread across the surface. Scattered on the glaze are small red and green star-shaped sprinkles and tiny silver ball-shaped sprinkles. The pan rests on a bright red cloth with a white pattern, and a large metal spatula with a gray handle is positioned on the right side. The background features a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this one because the Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe brings that seasonal cheer right to your kitchen without any fuss. Plus, the texture contrast of a soft cake with a crispy crumb topping is just irresistible every time.

Festive Flavors: The perfect balance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and eggnog brings all those cozy holiday vibes to life.
Easy to Make: No complicated techniques here — just straightforward steps that anyone can follow successfully.
Multipurpose Delight: Great for breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a holiday dessert that everyone raves about.
Customizable Crumb Topping: You can amp up the texture and spice to suit your taste, making it uniquely yours.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand, but each plays a key role. For example, mixing both brown and granulated sugars helps create moist crumb topping and tender cake, while spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add that classic holiday spark.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with packed light brown sugar, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl with fine salt, a small white bowl holding melted unsalted butter, a small white bowl with baking powder, a small white bowl with baking soda, a cube of unsalted butter at room temperature, a small white bowl packed with granulated sugar, a single large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with creamy eggnog, a small white bowl with sour cream, a small white bowl containing vanilla extract, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, and a small white bowl with colorful sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of both cake and crumb topping; be sure to measure correctly by spooning into your cup for accuracy.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle molasses flavor to the crumb topping, making it deeply caramelized and chewy.
Ground Cinnamon: Warm and cozy, it’s essential for that classic “holiday spice” aroma.
Ground Nutmeg: Neck-in-neck with cinnamon for festive warmth — fresh grated nutmeg makes a tiny but noticeable difference.
Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted lets you control salt levels and infuses richness to both cake and topping — room temperature butter whips best in your batter.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents ensure that tender rise without heaviness.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a light crumb.
Egg: The binding agent that also adds moisture for soft, springy cake texture.
Eggnog: The star ingredient! Using real eggnog (not just milk) adds creaminess, flavor, and that unmistakable holiday twist.
Sour Cream: Provides tanginess and moisture, preventing the cake from drying out.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances sweetness and rounds out the spice flavors.
Powdered Sugar: For the glaze that ties everything together with sweet, smooth finish.
Sprinkles (optional): Fun for festive presentation, especially if serving at holiday brunch or parties.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to match your preferences. Whether you like it with extra spice, a boozy kick, or a lighter crumb topping, there’s room for your creativity here.

Variation: I’ve tried adding a splash of rum or bourbon to the batter and the glaze — it amps up the festive spirit without overpowering the delicate eggnog flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: Sub out the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, and you can have a crumb cake everyone can enjoy.
Less Sweet: If you want to dial down the sweetness, reduce the granulated sugar slightly and adjust the powdered sugar in the glaze accordingly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe

The image shows a white plate with three square pieces of crumb cake on a white marbled surface. Each cake has three layers: a light golden yellow bottom layer with a soft, fluffy texture, a middle layer of light brown cinnamon filling, and a crumbly topping of light brown streusel. The top is drizzled with smooth white icing and decorated with small silver balls and red and green star-shaped sprinkles. Behind the plate, there is a clear glass of milk and a red cloth with a white and green checkered pattern. A silver fork is placed near the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk Together the Spiced Crumb Topping

Start by mixing the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Then melt your butter and stir it in until the mixture clumps together into coarse crumbs. I like to use my fingers here—it’s the easiest way to get the perfect crumb texture without overmixing.

Step 2: Mix the Batter

In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. In your mixer, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until fluffy, then add the egg. Slowly mix in the eggnog, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Finally, add the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined—you don’t want to overwork the batter or it’ll be tough.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, then evenly sprinkle the crumb topping on top, pressing down slightly to adhere. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Keep an eye on it—the crumb topping may brown faster, so if needed, tent foil over the top to avoid burning.

Step 4: Make the Eggnog Glaze and Serve

Whisk powdered sugar with eggnog, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm cake and add sprinkles if you like. Let it cool slightly before slicing to keep the topping intact.

Top Tip

From my baking adventures with this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that can really elevate your results and keep you from stressing over the crumb topping or moisture.

Butter Temperature: Using melted butter for the crumb topping but room temperature butter in the batter is key to getting both a crisp top and a tender cake interior.
Don’t Overmix: Mixing the dry ingredients into wet just until combined prevents a tough cake—lumps are okay!
Press Crumb Topping Gently: Lightly pressing the crumbs onto the batter helps them stick but keeps them crumbly instead of dense.
Try Fresh Nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg makes a surprisingly big difference in flavor—give it a go if you can!

How to Serve Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of the eggnog glaze, but a sprinkle of festive holiday colored sugar or tiny edible gold stars really ups the celebration feel. Sometimes a few toasted pecans on top add a lovely crunch contrast, too.

Side Dishes

This cake really shines alongside a warm mug of spiced coffee or chai tea. For brunch, I love pairing it with fresh fruit salad or a simple yogurt parfait to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to cut the cake into mini squares and serve them on a festive platter garnished with fresh cranberries and evergreen sprigs. It looks stunning and invites everyone to grab a festive bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover crumb cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days, but the kitchen is usually too tempting, so it doesn’t last long! You can also store it in an airtight container in the fridge if your home is warm.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I slice the cooled cake, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap plus foil, then pop them in a freezer bag. When I want some, I thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Reheating

To bring leftover slices back to life, I warm them in a low oven (about 300°F) for 10 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Add a little fresh glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar to refresh the look and flavor!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought eggnog or should I make homemade?

You can absolutely use store-bought eggnog for convenience and it works great in this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe. If you prefer, making your own eggnog can add a fresh flavor, but it’s not necessary. The key is that the eggnog is at room temperature when you add it to your batter.

What’s the best way to store leftover crumb cake?

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your home is warm or humid, refrigeration is better to keep it fresh, but let the cake come to room temperature before serving for best texture.

Can I make this cake nut-free or dairy-free?

You can easily omit nuts if you were planning to add toppings like pecans, and the recipe itself doesn’t contain nuts. For a dairy-free version, substitute plant-based butter and use dairy-free eggnog or a blend of plant milk with spices to mimic eggnog flavor. Keep in mind texture may vary slightly.

How do I prevent the crumb topping from sinking into the cake?

Make sure to gently press the crumb topping onto the batter before baking but don’t mix it in. Using melted butter in the topping helps it stick on top and crisp up nicely. Also, avoid overfilling the pan so the crumbs have room to cook and stay on the surface.

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe has become a staple for me during the holidays—it’s got just the right touch of nostalgia and indulgence without being complicated. I love sharing this cake with friends and seeing their eyes light up when they discover familiar eggnog flavors but in a cozy cake form. Give it a try — I’m confident you’ll find it as comforting and delicious as I do!