Christmas Eggnog Cake (video)
Nothing says Christmas is almost here like a cup of eggnog! I can’t remember a holiday season without this iconic, creamy, calorie-laden drink! So why not add it to a cake to make an eggnog cake?! This Christmas chocolate eggnog cake is like enjoying eggnog in cake form! I add loads eggnog into my ‘Simple Vanilla Cake’ recipe and then soak each layer with more eggnog! The result is simply delicious – you get loads of flavor in every bite!
My Eggnog Cake Video Tutorial!
Watch my YouTube video recipe for step-by-step instructions for making this chocolate eggnog cake! Want to receive new recipe emails in your inbox? Make sure to subscribe to my website and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!
Ingredients for Chocolate Eggnog Cake
Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this Christmas cake:
- Eggs, Sugar, Flour, Butter: for making the moist and delicious eggnog cake layers.
- Eggnog: use can use the full fat or reduced fat variety of eggnog for this recipe. It’s added into the cake batter and we’ll use it for soaking the cake layers.
- Butter: for making the rich chocolate buttercream. Use only unsalted butter and soften it for about 30 to 45 minutes at room temperature.
- Cocoa Powder & Chocolate Chips: use a combination of these two makes the buttercream extra rich and chocolate-y!
- Confectioner’s Sugar: for the frosting.
- White Chocolate: for making the beautiful snowflakes on the outside!
Making the Eggnog Cake Layers
For this delicious Christmas cake recipe, I wanted to infuse the cake layers with real eggnog!
- I use my simple ‘Vanilla Cake’ recipe and replace the whole milk with eggnog! I have a separate video recipe for this simple cake that I use for many of my recipes! Make sure to reduce the amount of sugar from my original vanilla cake recipe because eggnog also has lots of sugar!
- Allow the cake layers to cool completely, then take a long serrated knife and cut them in half. You can add even more eggnog flavor by soaking the cake layers lightly before adding the frosting!
Making the Chocolate Frosting
For the frosting my holiday eggnog cake, I use my basic ‘Chocolate Buttercream’ recipe. I have a separate video recipe for this amazing frosting. This buttercream is so rich and creamy and complements the eggnog flavor. It’s made with both cocoa powder and melted chocolate for the best flavor!
How to Assemble the Christmas Eggnog Cake
Here’s how to put together this delicious cake:
- Bake and completely cool the eggnog cake layers. If needed, place them into the refrigerator to cool quickly. If they are even the slightest bit warm, they will melt the buttercream! Use a serrated knife to split the cake layers in half.
- Lightly soak each layer with additional eggnog for extra flavor before adding the chocolate buttercream.
- Spread a generous amount of chocolate buttercream between each cake layer, then frost the top and sides. Place the cake into the refrigerator to set.
- I like to top this simple cake off with snowflakes made of white chocolate and edible pearls for a winter-y finish! Feel free to garnish the top with frosting dollops, cookies and truffles.
Making the White Chocolate Snowflakes
Here’s how I make the the snowflakes! First, melt the white chocolate melts in the microwave until the chocolate is smooth. Transfer it into a pastry bag tipped with Ateco tip #2, or just cut off a tiny little tip of a small plastic bag. Pipe small snowflakes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow the chocolate to set completely, then gently lift each snowflakes with the edge of a spatula to transfer it onto the cake. Press the snowflakes gently into the buttercream.
More Recipes!
Enjoyed this Christmas cake recipe? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!
- Peppermint Eclairs – the most delicious peppermint eclairs with a fluffy filling!
- Holiday Cranberry Orange Cake – this delicate and delicious cake is perfect for the holidays!
- Irish Cream Cheesecake – rich mint cheesecake with Bailey’s and a brownie base!
- Chocolate Peppermint Trifle – super easy and delicious holiday dessert!
- Mint Chocolate Cake – rich and luscious chocolate mint cake frosted with vanilla mint buttercream, then garnished with chocolate ganache!
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Christmas Chocolate Eggnog Cake Recipe (video)
Ingredients
For Eggnog Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup eggnog
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Chocolate Buttercream:
- 2 cups unsalted butter
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted
- 3 cups confectioner’s sugar
For Garnish:
- 1/2 cup white chocolate melts
- edible pearls
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare my ‘Simple Vanilla Cake’ recipe according to instructions, reducing the sugar from 1 cup to 3/4 cup; replacing the 1 cup milk with 1 cup eggnog. Line 2, 8-inch cake rounds with parchment paper; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter, sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Add the eggs and beat again until creamy and smooth. Next, pour in the eggnog (I recommend using warm eggnog).
- In a separate bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt. Sift the dry ingredients into the cake batter and whisk by hand to avoid over-mixing the batter. Divide the cake batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 40 minutes for 2, 8-inch rounds; or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling rack to cool completely. Once the cake is completely cooled, use a serrated knife to split each layer in half.
For Chocolate Buttercream:
- Soften butter at room temperature. Butter should still hold its shape and not be melted! Place butter into mixing bowl and whisk on high speed for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Melt chocolate chips in microwave or over a double boiler until smooth. Add melted chocolate, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt. Continue whisking for a few minutes, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl. Add the confectioner's sugar. After its incorporated, turn mixer to high speed and whisk for 3 to 4 minutes, or until frosting is light and fluffy.
Assembling the Cake:
- To assemble the cake, allow the cake layers to cool completely. Lightly soak each layer with additional eggnog for extra flavor before adding the chocolate buttercream. Spread a generous amount of chocolate buttercream between each cake layer, then frost the top and sides. Keep the cake refrigerated if not serving right away.
- For snowflake garnish: melt white chocolate melts until smooth. Transfer into a pastry bag tipped with Ateco tip #2, or cut off the tip of a small plastic bag. Pipe small snowflakes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow the chocolate to set, then gently lift with the edge of a spatula to transfer onto the cake.
Looks delicious, i definitely will try to make it.
Enjoy! 🙂
How do you store this delicious cake?
Hi! You can keep it at room temperature for a day but then it will need to be refrigerated. I recommend taking it out of the refrigerator about an hour before enjoying 🙂