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 (optional)

There's just something magical about a slice of cake that tastes like the holidays in every bite. This Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe combines the rich, comforting flavors of eggnog with a buttery crumb topping that’s utterly irresistible – trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it a seasonal staple.

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 absolutely adore how this cake captures the festive spirit without being overly sweet or complicated. It’s a perfect balance of soft, tender crumb and crunchy topping, bursting with warm spices and that unmistakable eggnog goodness.

Holiday Flavors in Every Bite: The cinnamon, nutmeg, and eggnog blend creates a comforting, festive cake that smells like December itself.
Buttery Crumb Topping: That crunchy, sweet layer on top adds texture contrast that takes this cake to another level.
Simple Ingredients, Impressive Result: You'll find everything in your pantry, but the outcome feels special and holiday-worthy.
Great for Gifting and Gathering: This cake slices beautifully, makes the perfect coffee companion, and impresses friends and family alike.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe is all about harmony between comforting spices and creamy richness, balanced perfectly with a tender crumb and crunchy topping. Each ingredient plays a key role, so picking fresh and good quality stuff really helps.

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: Creates the perfect structure without weighing the cake down.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that deepens the cake’s richness.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: The classic spices that bring that cozy, festive vibe.
Fine salt: Enhances all the flavors, making the cake taste balanced.
Unsalted butter (both melted and room temperature): Butter is key for richness and helps create a tender crumb and crumbly topping.
Baking powder and baking soda: Give the cake a lift for a soft, airy texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter perfectly without overshadowing the spices.
Large egg: Binds the batter and adds moisture; room temperature eggs blend better.
Eggnog: The star ingredient! Adds flavor and moisture for that unmistakably festive taste.
Sour cream: Keeps the cake moist and tender with a slight tang to balance the sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a warm, aromatic note.
Powdered sugar: Used in the glaze, provides smooth sweetness and a soft finish.
Sprinkles (optional): Just for a fun, festive touch if you like some extra cheer.

📝

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

Personally, I love adding a little extra cinnamon or switching up the nuts in the crumb topping for extra crunch, but you can totally play around. This cake is forgiving and welcomes your unique tweaks.

Variation: I once tried swapping half the eggnog for buttermilk, and it gave a lovely tang that paired beautifully with the cinnamon flavors – you might enjoy that twist if you like a bit more tartness.
Dietary tweak: To make it dairy-free, use plant-based butter and sour cream substitutes, plus a dairy-free eggnog, which tastes surprisingly close to the original.
Extra festive: Top with chopped toasted pecans or walnuts along with the crumb for a nutty surprise.

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: Prepare the irresistible crumb topping

Start by combining the flour, packed brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and melted butter. Use your fingers or a pastry blender to mix until it forms coarse crumbs. This texture is what creates that luscious crunchy layer on top, so make sure you don’t overwork it into a paste. Set aside while you prep the batter.

Step 2: Whisk together the batter ingredients

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and creamy. Add the egg, then mix in the eggnog, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined - don’t overmix or you’ll toughen the cake.

Step 3: Assemble and bake your cake

Pour half the batter into a greased 9x9-inch pan, then sprinkle half the crumb topping evenly. Layer the remaining batter on top, and finish with the last of the crumb topping. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. That golden crumb topping and fluffy cake underneath make each slice a joy.

Step 4: Whip up a quick eggnog glaze

While the cake cools, mix powdered sugar with eggnog, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the warm cake for an extra pop of flavor and pretty shine. If you want, sprinkle some festive sprinkles right after glazing for a cheerful touch.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe multiple times, texture and temperature matter. Here are the tips that helped me nail it every single time:

Butter temperature matters: Use melted butter for the crumb and room temperature butter for the batter – your crumb topping will be perfectly crisp, and your cake tender and moist.
Don’t overmix the batter: Mixing just until combined keeps the crumb light and avoids a dense cake.
Use fresh spices: Ground cinnamon and nutmeg lose potency fast, so fresh spices make the flavor really pop.
Cool before glazing: Let the cake cool slightly so glaze doesn’t melt off, but drizzle while still warm for that lovely sticky finish.

How to Serve Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple—just some festive sprinkles or a light dusting of extra cinnamon. Sometimes for an elegant touch, a few toasted pecans scattered on top add a lovely crunch and nutty contrast.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, chai, or even a spiced latte. For brunch, I love serving it alongside fresh fruit or a creamy yogurt parfait to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve served the cake squares on a wooden board dusted with powdered sugar and accented with cinnamon sticks and fresh rosemary sprigs—it’s both stunning and smells amazing. Wrapping individual slices in parchment paper tied with twine makes perfect little gifts, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The crumb topping stays deliciously crisp if you avoid refrigeration, but I’ll sometimes pop slices in the fridge if my kitchen is warm.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully. I slice it, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. When I want a treat, I thaw overnight in the fridge and lightly warm it up in the microwave for that “just-baked” feel.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, I microwave a slice for about 20 seconds or warm it gently in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This helps the crumb topping regain some of its crispness while keeping the cake yummily moist.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this cake without eggnog?

If you don’t have eggnog on hand, you can substitute with a mix of milk and a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg for flavor, or use buttermilk for a tangy twist. The cake will still be tasty but you’ll miss that signature eggnog flavor.

How do I get the crumb topping extra crunchy?

Using melted butter and not overpacking the crumbs before baking helps keep the topping delicate and crispy. Also, avoid heavy mixing once the crumbs are on the cake so they stay crumbly.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum. Make sure your baking powder is gluten-free too. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

What’s the best pan size for this recipe?

A 9x9-inch square pan works perfectly, allowing the cake to bake evenly with a nice thickness. You can also use an 8x8 pan for thicker slices, adjusting baking time slightly.

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe is one of those rare treats that remind me why I enjoy baking so much — it’s not just about the cake, but also the cozy memories it sparks. Sharing it with friends or cozying up with a slice and warm mug feels like a delicious little celebration. Seriously, give this one a try — you’re going to love it as much as I do!