Intro
Hi, I am Dulcia. I love desserts that taste like a holiday hug, and this Boozy Eggnog Bundt Cake is one of my favorites. It is moist, warmly spiced, and finished with a boozy glaze plus an eggnog buttercream that is indulgent without being fussy.
I developed this recipe to bring classic eggnog flavors to a simple bundt cake that is perfect for parties, potlucks, or a cozy night by the fire.
Origins
Eggnog has long been a festive drink in North America, with roots in medieval European posset and other dairy-based holiday drinks. For more on eggnog history, see the Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggnog. The addition of bourbon or rum pairs beautifully with the nutmeg and vanilla, and it gives the cake a grown-up finish.
For safe handling of dairy and eggs, you can consult the USDA resources: https://www.usda.gov/.
Ingredients
For the cake – Eggnog Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups eggnog
- 2 tablespoons bourbon or rum
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 eggs, room temperature
For the glaze – Bourbon/Rum Glaze:
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons eggnog
- 2 tablespoons bourbon or rum
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting – Eggnog Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup eggnog
If you enjoy bundt presentations, you might also like other rich desserts on my site: https://www.dulciarecipes.com/ and my cinnamon roll cheesecake for another festive mashup: https://www.dulciarecipes.com/cinnamon-roll-cheesecake/.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour a bundt pan, making sure to cover all areas.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the eggnog, bourbon (or rum), and vanilla extract. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until just incorporated after each addition.
- Add the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the butter mixture, and beat until well blended.
- Alternate adding the flour and the eggnog mixture to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting and removing it from the pan to cool completely.
- Bourbon or Rum Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, eggnog, bourbon (or rum), and vanilla extract.
- Spoon the glaze over the top of the warm cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
- Eggnog Buttercream: In a large bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the nutmeg, vanilla, and eggnog, and continue beating until light and fluffy.
- Frost the cake and decorate as desired.
- Slice and enjoy this delicious, boozy eggnog cake as the perfect holiday dessert.

Boozy Eggnog Bundt Cake
- Total Time: 1 hr 10-15 mins
- Yield: 12–16 servings 1x
Description
Rich eggnog-flavored bundt cake with a bourbon or rum glaze and eggnog buttercream—perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- Eggnog Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups eggnog
- 2 tablespoons bourbon or rum
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- Bourbon/Rum Glaze:
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3–4 tablespoons eggnog
- 2 tablespoons bourbon or rum
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Eggnog Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup eggnog
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350?F (175?C) and generously grease and flour a bundt pan, covering all areas.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggnog, bourbon or rum, and vanilla extract; set aside.
- In a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until just incorporated after each addition.
- Add the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the butter mixture and beat until well blended.
- Alternate adding the flour and the eggnog mixture to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour, and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 50?55 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert and remove from the pan to cool completely.
- For the bourbon/rum glaze, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, eggnog, bourbon or rum, and vanilla in a small bowl.
- Spoon the glaze over the top of the warm cake, allowing it to drip down the sides, and let the cake cool completely before frosting.
- For the eggnog buttercream, beat the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add the nutmeg, vanilla, and eggnog and continue beating until light and fluffy.
- Frost the cooled cake with the eggnog buttercream and decorate as desired.
- Slice and serve the boozy eggnog bundt cake as a festive holiday dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 50-55 mins
Tips
- Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly, so take the butter and eggs out 30 minutes before you start.
- Use a light hand when mixing after adding flour to avoid developing too much gluten and making the cake dense.
- If you want a stronger boozy note, brush 1 to 2 tablespoons of bourbon or rum on the cooled cake before glazing.
- For easy bundt release, use a baking spray with flour or thoroughly grease and flour the pan, getting in every crevice.
Variations
- Rum instead of bourbon: Use dark or spiced rum for a different flavor profile.
- Mini bundts: Pour batter into mini bundt pans and reduce bake time to 20 to 25 minutes.
- Maple twist: Replace 1/4 cup of the sugar with maple syrup and reduce liquid by 1 tablespoon for a maple eggnog cake.
FAQ
Q: Can I omit the alcohol?
A: Yes, substitute the bourbon or rum with additional eggnog or a tablespoon of vanilla extract if you prefer alcohol-free.
Q: How should I store the cake?
A: Store the frosted cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes, bake the cake and wrap tightly. Freeze unfrosted for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature and glaze and frost before serving.
Conclusion
This Boozy Eggnog Bundt Cake is a simple way to bring seasonal flavors to your holiday table. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do. Happy baking from Dulcia!
