Festive bakers rejoice as this spice cake with eggnog buttercream brings holiday magic to your dessert table.
Rich warming spices dance through tender layers of delectable cake.
The creamy eggnog buttercream creates a luxurious frosting that whispers winter celebrations.
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger mingle delightfully in each soft crumb.
Seasonal comfort emerges with each delicate slice of this showstopping treat.
The buttercream smooth, velvety texture perfectly complements the robust cake underneath.
Serve this dessert and watch as smiles spread faster than frosting on a warm cake.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Calories: 466 kcal
Servings: 13
What Goes Into Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream
For Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for the cake's structure, choose unbleached for better texture.
Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.
Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Clove, Black Pepper: Warm spices that create a cozy, aromatic holiday flavor profile, select fresh ground spices for maximum potency.
For Wet Ingredients:
Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture, opt for dark brown sugar for richer flavor.
Vegetable Oil: Ensures a tender, moist cake texture, choose a neutral-flavored oil.
Molasses: Contributes rich, deep sweetness and helps maintain cake's softness.
Applesauce: Adds natural sweetness and helps keep the cake moist.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the cake batter.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the spice flavors, use pure vanilla for best results.
For Frosting and Decoration:
Butter: Creates a creamy, smooth base for buttercream, use high-quality unsalted butter.
Confectioners' Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize the frosting.
Eggnog, Heavy Cream: Adds festive flavor and creates silky texture.
Nutmeg: Enhances the classic eggnog taste.
White Chocolate Chips: Delivers a sweet, creamy ganache topping.
Equipment You’ll Use for Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream
Stand Mixer or Electric Hand Mixer: Essential for beating butter, creaming ingredients, and mixing cake batter smoothly.
Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining dry and wet ingredients, separating mixtures during preparation.
Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients and ensuring even distribution of spices.
8-inch Round Cake Pans (3): Crucial for baking cake layers with consistent size and shape.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements guarantee the right balance of ingredients.
Spatula: Helps scrape bowl sides and spread frosting evenly.
Small Saucepan: Used for heating cream for white chocolate ganache.
Heatproof Bowl: Necessary for melting white chocolate and creating smooth ganache.
Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center for clean insertion.
Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream Instructions
Holiday Spice Celebration Cake
Cake Preparation Warm up your oven and get ready for a delightful baking adventure. Grab three round cake pans and give them a quick spray and dust to prevent sticking.
Dry Ingredient Magic Create a flavor-packed blend of warm spices that will make your kitchen smell amazing. Whisk together flour and all those cozy spices that scream holiday cheer.
Wet Ingredient Fusion In a separate bowl, dance your mixer through brown sugar, oil, and sweet molasses. Crack in some eggs and let everything mingle until silky smooth.
Batter Harmony Gently fold your spice mixture into the wet ingredients. Don't overmix – you want a tender, light cake that melts in your mouth.
Baking Bliss Pour the batter into your prepared pans and slide them into the oven. Watch the magic happen as your kitchen fills with an incredible aroma. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, then let the cakes cool completely.
Creamy Eggnog Frosting Whip up a dreamy buttercream that captures the essence of holiday comfort. Beat butter until it's cloud-like, then fold in powdered sugar and a splash of festive eggnog.
Chocolate Drizzle Drama Create a white chocolate waterfall that will make your cake look like a showstopper. Melt chocolate with cream until it's smooth and glossy.
Cake Assembly Layer your cake with fluffy frosting, cover completely, and let the white chocolate cascade dramatically down the sides. For an extra touch of magic, dust the top with a whisper of cinnamon.
Handy Notes for Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream
Replace ground cloves with allspice or cardamom for a unique flavor profile that adds depth and complexity to your cake.
Prepare cake layers up to two days in advance and store wrapped in plastic at room temperature to save time during holiday baking.
Substitute eggnog with almond or oat milk mixed with rum extract for a lactose-free version that maintains rich, creamy flavor.
Sprinkle toasted pecans or candied ginger around the cake's base for extra texture and a professional bakery-style presentation.
Brush each cake layer with a light rum or bourbon syrup before frosting to enhance moisture and add subtle warmth to the dessert.
Creative Ways to Serve Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream
Holiday Dessert Showcase: Perfect for serving at Christmas gatherings or winter celebrations with family and friends.
Elegant Presentation Tip: Garnish with candied pecans or sugared cranberries around the cake base for a stunning visual appeal and added texture.
Complementary Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside warm mulled wine, spiced cider, or a creamy bourbon-based cocktail to enhance the cake's rich seasonal flavors.
Gifting Potential: Wrap individual slices in festive parchment paper for a delightful homemade holiday gift that spreads warmth and cheer.
How to Save Leftover Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream
Cake Care Strategies
Refrigeration Wisdom: Store the finished spice cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
Counter-Top Convenience: Keep cake at room temperature for 24 hours if serving soon. Place under a cake dome or covered container to protect from dust and maintain freshness.
Freezing Fantastic: Wrap individual cake layers or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for future enjoyment. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving, allowing cake to gradually return to room temperature.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers and buttercream up to 2 days before assembling. Store cake layers wrapped in plastic at room temperature, and refrigerate buttercream in sealed container. Bring buttercream to room temperature before spreading for smooth application.
Spice cake elevates holiday baking with classic seasonal flavors nestled between rich eggnog buttercream layers. Warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger create a festive dessert perfect for winter celebrations when you want something special.
Ingredients
Scale
2.5 cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
1.75 cups (350 g) light brown sugar
1.5 cups (355 ml) unsweetened applesauce
1.5 cups (340 g) unsalted butter
1.5 tsps ground cinnamon
1 tbsp unsulphured molasses
1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
1 tsp ground ginger
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
4 large eggs
4.5 cups (570 g) confectioners’ sugar
2 tsps baking powder
2 tsps baking soda
2 tsps pure vanilla extract
7 tbsps eggnog
0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp ground clove
0.5 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
0.25 tsp pure ground black pepper
0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat three 8-inch round cake pans with grease and flour.
Dry Ingredient Assembly: Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and black pepper in a single mixing bowl, whisking until perfectly integrated.
Wet Ingredient Foundation: Vigorously beat brown sugar, vegetable oil, molasses, and applesauce into a smooth, uniform mixture, then individually incorporate eggs, ensuring complete blending after each addition.
Batter Composition: Fold vanilla extract into wet ingredients, then gradually incorporate dry ingredient mixture on low speed, carefully scraping bowl sides to maintain consistent texture.
Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter across prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, confirming doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean.
Cooling Stage: Rest cake layers completely, creating a stable foundation for frosting and allowing thermal relaxation.
Buttercream Creation: Whip butter until light, gradually introducing confectioners’ sugar, then blend eggnog, nutmeg, and heavy cream until achieving a luxurious, fluffy consistency.
Ganache Preparation: Simmer heavy cream and pour over white chocolate chips, stirring until developing a silky, smooth texture, then allow brief cooling for ideal drizzling consistency.
Cake Assembly: Layer eggnog buttercream between cake tiers, completely enrobing exterior with remaining frosting, then elegantly drizzle white chocolate ganache across the top, permitting delicate cascades along sides.
Final Flourish: Optionally dust cake surface with ground cinnamon or nutmeg for an elevated, festive presentation.
Notes
Spice Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality whole spices and grind them just before mixing for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic depth.
Moisture Management: Applesauce and vegetable oil ensure an incredibly tender, moist cake texture that stays soft for days after baking.
Temperature Control: Allow ingredients like eggs and butter to reach room temperature before mixing to guarantee smooth, even cake batter integration.
Ganache Technique: Cool white chocolate ganache until it reaches a perfect drizzling consistency – not too runny or stiff – for those Instagram-worthy cake decorations.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.