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 wonderfully cozy about the warm spices and creamy texture of eggnog, right? That’s exactly why I adore this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe—it’s like wrapping yourself in a holiday hug with every bite. Perfect for cozy mornings or festive gatherings, it’s a little celebration on your plate.

A close-up image of a rectangular metal baking pan filled with a baked dessert with a crumbly golden-brown texture visible beneath a layer of white icing. The icing looks smooth and unevenly spread with thicker patches scattered across the surface. Small red and green star-shaped sprinkles and tiny silver ball sprinkles are scattered over the icing, adding colorful accents. The pan is set on a red cloth with a white checked pattern, all on a white marbled surface. A large silver spatula with a slotted design rests near the pan. 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

This Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe is truly one of my holiday go-tos because it combines the best of festive flavors with a crumbly, buttery texture that just melts in your mouth. Baking it fills the house with the most irresistible scents of cinnamon and nutmeg, which instantly puts me in a joyful mood.

Festive Flavor Boost: The eggnog and warm spices make it uniquely seasonal and comforting.
Perfect Texture: The crumb topping adds a crunchy contrast to the tender cake underneath.
Simple Ingredients: You most likely have everything on hand already, so no special store trips needed.
Great for Gifting: It slices beautifully and makes a thoughtful homemade treat for friends and family.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This cake shines because each ingredient plays a key role: the eggnog infuses flavor and moisture, spices warm everything up, and the crumb topping seals the deal with buttery crunch. Make sure your eggnog and dairy are at room temperature—it really helps the batter come together smoother and ensures a tender crumb.

Flat lay of a small mound of pale all-purpose flour, a small bowl of light brown sugar, a small bowl of ground cinnamon with warm brown tones, a small bowl of ground nutmeg with fine texture, a small bowl of fine salt with tiny white grains, a small white ceramic bowl holding melted golden butter, a small bowl of baking powder with fine white powder, a small bowl of baking soda also white and powdery, a stick of unsalted butter at room temperature with a smooth, creamy surface, a small bowl of granulated white sugar with sparkling crystals, one large brown egg with a clean uncracked shell, a small white bowl filled with creamy pale beige eggnog, a small white bowl with thick white sour cream, a small bowl of light amber vanilla extract, a small bowl of finely sifted powdered sugar, and a small bowl of multicolored sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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: Provides structure; using fresh flour ensures a light texture.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel note to the crumb topping.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Classic holiday spices that give the cake its seasonal charm.
Unsalted butter (melted and room temp): Butter quality really impacts the flavor and crumb—go for good quality.
Baking powder and baking soda: Together they create the perfect lift without aftertaste.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps brown the cake as it bakes.
Egg (room temperature): Acts as a binder and adds richness; I always let mine come to room temp first.
Eggnog (room temperature): The star ingredient that flavor-infuses the cake with its creamy, spiced profile.
Sour cream (room temperature): Adds moisture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors for that perfect bakery touch.
Powdered sugar: For dusting or mixing into a light glaze—it adds just the right amount of sweetness.
Sprinkles (optional): Fun for presentation, especially during the holidays!

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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

I love to play with the spices here—sometimes I add a pinch of cloves or cardamom for a twist. You can also swap out the sour cream for Greek yogurt if you prefer a lighter option, and it still comes out beautifully moist. The crumb topping? Feel free to toss in chopped pecans or walnuts for an extra crunch.

Variation: One holiday, I replaced half the eggnog with pumpkin puree, and it was an unexpected but delicious take!

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

Three square pieces of crumb cake sit on a white plate with a gold rim, placed on a red cloth with white and green plaid patterns. Each piece has two layers: a thick yellow cake base and a crumbly, light brown topping layer with a drizzle of white icing. Small red and green star-shaped sprinkles and tiny silver balls decorate the icing on the crumbly topping. In the background, there is a blurred white cup, and a white marble surface is visible beneath the cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Make the Crumb Topping

Start by mixing the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt for the crumb topping in a bowl. Then add the melted butter and stir until all the ingredients are moistened and clump together into coarse crumbs. The best crumb topping gives you that signature crunch, so don’t overmix—it should resemble wet sand.

Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. In your mixer, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—this is key for a tender crumb. Add the egg, vanilla, eggnog, and sour cream, mixing well. Finally, fold in the dry ingredients just until combined; you want to avoid overmixing here to keep the cake light.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Spread half of the batter into your greased pan, then sprinkle half of the crumb topping over it. Repeat with the remaining batter and crumb topping. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. The cake should be golden and the crumb topping delightfully crunchy.

Step 4: Optional Glaze

While the cake cools, whisk powdered sugar with 4 to 5 tablespoons of eggnog and a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the top to add a shiny, sweet finish that’s just irresistible.

Top Tip

Making this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe is so rewarding and the difference is in the details. Here are a few things from my experience that really make it shine:

Butter Temperature Matters: Using room temperature butter in the batter and melted butter for the crumb topping really gives you the contrast in textures that makes this cake special.
Don’t Overmix Dry Ingredients: Overmixing can toughen the cake; fold just until no streaks of flour remain for tenderness.
Even Crumb Topping Distribution: I find layering the batter and crumbs carefully helps every bite get that perfect crunch.
Watch the Baking Time: Ovens vary, so start checking around 35 minutes to avoid drying out the cake.

How to Serve Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I love pairing this cake with a dusting of additional cinnamon or a light sprinkle of festive colored sprinkles on top to make it look extra cheerful. Sometimes, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside takes it to the next level.

Side Dishes

It’s a fabulous partner to a cup of steaming coffee or hot cocoa on brisk mornings. I’ve also served it alongside fresh fruit salad during brunches to balance the richness and add a refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve presented the cake on a rustic wooden board surrounded by pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks—simple touches that add so much charm. Cut into bite-sized squares for easy finger food, or serve with mini ramekins of spiced custard for dipping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, I let the cake cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the crumb topping nice and crisp. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate it but bring to room temp before serving for the best flavor.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this cake successfully by wrapping individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. They keep well for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm slightly for that fresh-baked feel.

Reheating

Reheat slices in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes or in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. This revives the crumb topping’s crunch and brings back that freshly baked aroma that always makes me smile.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought eggnog or homemade?

Both work beautifully! Store-bought eggnog is convenient and consistent, while homemade adds a personal touch and can be customized in sweetness or spice level. Just make sure it’s at room temperature before using.

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

Layering the batter and crumb topping carefully helps—spread half the batter first, then half the crumbs, and repeat. Also, don’t overmix the crumb topping so it keeps its coarse texture, and bake promptly after assembling.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and use a dairy-free eggnog and sour cream alternative (like coconut yogurt). The texture might change slightly, but the flavor will still be delightful.

What’s the best pan size to use for this cake?

A 9x9 inch square baking pan works perfectly. It’s deep enough for the layers and crumb topping, and it bakes evenly. If you want thinner pieces, you can also use a 9x13 pan but reduce the baking time slightly and check for doneness early.

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe has quickly become a favorite in my holiday repertoire—not just for its festive flavor but for the way it brings people together. There’s comfort in baking, in sharing, and in every buttery crumb. I hope you find yourself making this again and again, savoring the little moments with every slice.