Decadent Eggnog Bundt Cake Recipe for Holiday Brunch

The rich, cozy flavor of the holidays shines in this Eggnog Bundt Cake—egg nog infused into the batter and finished with a silky eggnog glaze. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that looks impressive on a holiday table while remaining simple to prepare.

eggnog bundt cake topped with eggnog glaze on a serving plate

Why We Love Easy Eggnog Cake

  • This cake uses creamy eggnog in the batter and in the glaze, giving a classic holiday spice and richness throughout.
  • A Bundt pan creates a moist, attractive cake that feels special without extra fuss.
  • Starting with a box cake mix keeps the recipe quick and forgiving—perfect when you’re busy with other holiday tasks.
  • The eggnog glaze is simple to whisk together and adds a glossy, festive finish that enhances both flavor and presentation.
slice of eggnog bundt cake being lifted from the cake on a cake server

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pantry: One box of butter pecan cake mix, ground nutmeg, and powdered sugar for the glaze.

Refrigerated: Eggnog (for batter and glaze), salted butter, sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), and large eggs.

ingredients to make eggnog cake with text labels

How to Make Eggnog Cake

STEP 1 Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, whisk together the cake mix and 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg; set aside.

butter pecan cake mix with ground nutmeg in a mixing bowl

STEP 2 Add 1 cup eggnog, 1/2 cup melted salted butter, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 3 large eggs to the dry mix. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy.

eggs, melted butter, and eggnog added to a mixing bowl with cake mix and ground nutmeg

STEP 3 Generously coat a 12-cup Bundt pan with non-stick spray or prepared pan release. Spoon the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Bake 28–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted between the outer edge and center tube comes out clean.

eggnog cake batter in a greased bundt pan

STEP 4 Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes, then invert onto a plate or cake stand. Allow to cool completely before glazing.

eggnog bundt cake in the pan after cooking

STEP 5 For the glaze, whisk 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons eggnog. Add additional eggnog a little at a time until you reach a thick but pourable consistency.

bowl of eggnog glaze with a spoon

STEP 6 Slowly drizzle the glaze over the cake, letting it cascade down the sides. Let the glaze set slightly, then slice and serve.

looking down at a slice of eggnog bundt cake being pulled out on a cake server

Tips & Tricks

  • Spray the Bundt pan right before adding batter so the non-stick coating stays effective. Alternatively use a trusted pan release method.
  • Because Bundt cakes tend to stay moist, gentle mixing until combined is fine—no need to worry excessively about overmixing.
  • Sour cream adds tenderness and moisture; Greek yogurt is a good one-to-one substitute if preferred.
  • Glaze consistency matters: aim for a glaze that clings briefly to the cake before slowly running down. Thin with more eggnog or thicken with more powdered sugar as needed.
  • Store the cake covered at room temperature for 2–3 days. If you need to keep it longer, refrigerate up to 5–6 days once glazed is set, or freeze wrapped for up to two months.
slice of eggnog bundt cake on a cake server over the cake

Eggnog Cake FAQ

What makes a Bundt cake different?

A Bundt cake is defined by the pan used: a fluted, ring-shaped pan that creates a decorative shape. The batter itself can be any cake type, but the pan gives the cake its distinctive appearance.

Is store-bought eggnog alcoholic?

Commercial eggnog sold in grocery stores is typically non-alcoholic. Some traditional homemade recipes or specialty liqueurs include rum, bourbon, or brandy, but alcohol is optional depending on your preference.

How is eggnog different from milk?

Eggnog starts with milk or cream but includes eggs, sugar, and spices, producing a richer, thicker, and often frothier beverage. Store-bought eggnog is usually less frothy than homemade versions that use more egg.

bite of eggnog bundt cake on a fork next to the slice on a dessert plate

Other Recipes You May Like

  • Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies
  • Nutmeg Coins with Eggnog Glaze
  • Sour Cream Coffee Cake
  • S’mores Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
  • Eggnog Whoopie Pies
square image of eggnog bundt cake topped with eggnog glaze on a serving plate

Eggnog Bundt Cake

Julie Kotzbach

A festive Bundt cake flavored with eggnog in the batter and topped with an eggnog glaze—simple, moist, and perfect for holiday gatherings.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Cooling Time 1 hr 15 mins
Total Time 2 hrs
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 slices
Calories 366 kcal

Ingredients

Eggnog Cake

  • 13.25 ounces butter pecan cake mix (1 box)
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup eggnog
  • 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 large eggs

Eggnog Glaze

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons eggnog, plus more as needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 12-cup Bundt pan with pan release or non-stick spray.
  2. Whisk the cake mix and nutmeg in a large bowl.
  3. Add eggnog, melted butter, sour cream, and eggs. Beat until evenly combined, about 2 minutes.
  4. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake 28–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted between the edge and center comes out clean.
  5. Cool in the pan 10–15 minutes, then turn out onto a plate and cool completely.
  6. Whisk powdered sugar and eggnog together for the glaze, adding more eggnog in 1/2 tablespoon increments until the glaze is thick but pourable. Drizzle over the cake and let set before slicing.

Notes

Pan release: Mix 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon shortening, and 1 tablespoon flour until smooth. Brush inside the pan.

Storage: Keep at room temperature 2–3 days, refrigerate up to 5–6 days, or freeze wrapped for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice
Calories: 366 kcal
Carbohydrates: 54 g
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 15 g

Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary by brands and portion sizes.

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