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This Easy Eggnog Pound Cake Recipe with Glaze is the perfect holiday dessert if you love eggnog. Made in a loaf pan, it's a rich, delicious, and flavorful cake. A delicious indulgent holiday treat to enjoy this Christmas season.
If you're a big fan of the delicious flavor of eggnog and want to try more recipes, try making some No Bake Eggnog Cookies, an Eggnog Latte, and a No Bake Eggnog Cheesecake.
The holidays are much more of a social time for me. I find myself going out more, spending more time with family and friends, and having people stop by my house to visit. For this reason, I always try to have something sweet on hand. Especially cookies, brownies, and cake recipes that are simple to make and come together in minutes.
Especially cake!
I love having cake in my home, except with a big cake, comes the reality of me eating way too many slices. I cannot help myself, if I visually see a whole cake in my house, then I will eat my fair share. It is what it is and I can admit it. So with that being said, I love to make cakes that are smaller in portion, so that my guest will consume most of it during their visit. See how that works.
This rule especially applies to pound cake which is rich, fluffy, and delicious. But most recipes tend to yield a lot of servings and require a bundt pan or tube pan. To avoid this I prefer to scale the recipe down and make it in a loaf pan.
Same great flavor, just in a smaller size.
Since it is the holiday season, I decided to add a bit of seasonal eggnog to the pound cake mix to make it more festive. This recipe is rich and delicious. You will enjoy it if you are a fan of eggnog and pound cake. Be sure to give it a try.
Let's get started!
What Kind Of Eggnog Should Be Used?
The best thing about this cake recipe is that you can use any brand or type of creamy eggnog that you love from the grocery store. Store-bought eggnog, homemade eggnog, and even dairy-free eggnog any kind of your favorite eggnog may all be substituted in the same unit of measure.
What Ingredients Are Needed For Eggnog Cake
- Eggnog - Use any eggnog that you prefer to add that mild eggnog flavor and make the cake rich and delicious. Eggnog will also be needed to make the eggnog glaze to top the baked bake. Dairy-free eggnog and homemade eggnog will work as well if you need to substitute.
- Butter - Creates the base of the cake and gives it that buttery flavor. Allow the butter to soften to room temperature before mixing with the other ingredients for easier combining.
- Granulated Sugar - Use granulated sugar or cane sugar to add sweetness to the cake recipe.
- Eggs - Two large eggs are needed to thicken the cake and give it structure. If you can allow them to come to room temperature before mixing, they will combine much better.
- All-Purpose Flour - Plain all-purpose flour with no additional ingredients is needed to give the cake a great texture. If you prefer to sift the flour before combining, then you may do so but it is not necessary.
- Salt - I prefer to use kosher salt or baking salt for baking. It helps to balance the flavors of the ingredients and prevents the cake from tasting flat and bland.
- Ground Nutmeg - A warm spice that adds a slightly sweet and nutty flavor to the cake mixture.
- Vanilla Extract - Gives the cake a tasty vanilla flavor. Be sure to use pure vanilla extract and not imitation vanilla.
- Powdered Sugar - Sweetens and thickens the sweet glaze topping.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.
How To Make The Best Eggnog Pound Cake
Begin the cake recipe by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients. Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and ground nutmeg.
For this recipe, you want to use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a large bowl with an electric hand mixer. Using the mixer on medium speed, mix the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and continue mixing until combined.
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Adjust the mixer down to low speed and slowly add in the flour mixture a little at a time until combined.
Add the eggnog and vanilla extract to the cake batter.
Once thoroughly mixed, pour batter into the prepared pan. Place in the oven to bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out with a few crumbs and not wet cake batter. Carefully remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack (cooling rack) for 5 to 10 minutes before removing it completely to allow it to fully cool.
While the cake cools begin making the eggnog icing. Using an electric mixer, mix the powdered sugar and eggnog. Drizzle evenly all over the cake and allow it time to set/softly harden for about 5 to 10 minutes. Slice to serve and enjoy!
Does Eggnog Cake Need To Be Refrigerated?
The eggnog cake does not need to be refrigerated. It can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you would like to store it in the refrigerator you may do so and this will extend the life of this cake up to a week.
Storage
Storage. If you have any leftover eggnog cake, then you may store it at room temperature in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator. This cake may be stored in the refrigerator instead for up to 1 week. If you decide to store the cake in the refrigerator, then you can allow it time to sit at room temperature before serving again.
Freezer. This delicious cake is perfect to freeze. Cover tightly with a double layer of aluminum foil or place in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow the cake to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying it.
Want More Easy Holiday Recipes? Try These:
- Easy Gingerbread Cake Recipe
- Gingerbread Muffins
- Pretzel Fudge
- No Bake Eggnog Cheesecake
- Eggnog Latte
- Homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars
- Hummingbird Coffee Cake
- Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this Easy Eggnog Pound Cake Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!
📖 Recipe
Easy Eggnog Pound Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 1 stand mixer or hand mixer
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 9x5-inch loaf pan
Ingredients
- Eggnog Cake Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup eggnog
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Eggnog Glaze Ingredients:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons eggnog
Instructions
- Begin the cake recipe by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients. Add the 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
- For this recipe, you want to use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a large bowl with an electric hand mixer. Using the mixer on medium speed, mix the ½ cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the 2 large eggs and continue mixing until combined.
- Adjust the mixer down to low speed and slowly add in the flour mixture a little at a time until combined. Add the ¾ cup eggnog and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract to the cake batter. Once thoroughly mixed, pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Place in the oven to bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out with a few crumbs and not wet cake batter. Carefully remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack (cooling rack) for 5 to 10 minutes before removing it completely to allow it to fully cool.
- While the cake cools begin making the eggnog glaze. Using an electric mixer, mix the ½ cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons eggnog. Drizzle evenly all over the cake and allow it time to set/softly harden for about 5 to 10 minutes. Slice to serve and enjoy!
Original post date 12/04/2019. Updated 12/05/2023.
Ann Kirchner says
This cake tasted incredible! I followed the directions exactly using a 9x5 pan. The only problem I had was the cake only rose about 1 and a half inches tall. Is that right? I sliced it pretty thickly and cut each piece in half so they were more like brownie shaped. What went wrong? I noticed there is no leavening agent except the eggs. Should I have used a 8x4 loaf pan? Folks loved it the way it was but I’m curious. Thanks!
LaKita says
Thank you Ann! It does not rise much at all, if you have a smaller loaf pan, then that would be perfect. Glad to hear you still enjoyed the eggnog pound cake.
Grace says
Could this recipe work with salted butter and remove the 1 teaspoon of salt? Or would the salt ratio just not work out?
LaKita says
Yes, that switch would absolutely work for this recipe!
Aline says
This is seriously easy to make!!! Everyone loved it at the potluck I brought it to! Thanks
LaKita says
Thank you Aline! So glad to hear it was a success!
Kenya Rae says
I love eggnog pound cake. Really eggnog everything!
LaKita says
So do I Kenya!
Jazz says
This looks perfectly moist! My dad would love the eggnog flavor.
LaKita says
Thank you, it is so moist!
Eden says
Made two versions: with eggnog and with coquito! Both were serious hits!
LaKita says
I will have to try it with coquito!!
Katrina Adams says
I love baking so I definitely will have to try this recipe!!!
LaKita says
Thank you! Yes, please do 🙂
SHANIKA says
Now this Pound Cake looks so moist and delicious! My two favorite things in one recipe. YUM!
LaKita says
Thank you Shanika!!
Tamara J says
I’m not a big fan of egg nog, but this pound cake is perfectly moist and delicious! It would make for a great gift idea as well.
LaKita says
Thank you! I agree it would make a nice homemade gift!
Christa says
I’ve been looking for new holiday recipes to try. This one looks perfect!
LaKita says
Thank you, hope you enjoy it!
Desiree says
Wow! This cake looks absolutely amazing! I know this will be a hit for the holidays!
LaKita says
Thank you! Yes, it never lasts long.
Helen Little says
Oh, wow! This looks amazing! I've never heard of eggnog cake before. Definitely one to make!
LaKita says
Thank you! It is soooo delicious!
Shayla Marie says
This sounds and looks so good! I've not had eggnog pound cake yet, I want to try it!
LaKita says
Thank you, give it a go!
Marta says
Girl!! You play too much!! I can't wait to make this eggnog cake! I'm already drooling at the thought of the smell!
LaKita says
LOL!! Thank you!! It is so good and smells so amazing when it bakes!
glenny says
wow this looks so good! I wish I could bake that easily but i bet I would mess this up if I tried lol
LaKita says
Thank you! This recipe is really easy to make!
Wendy Polisi says
I love your idea of making it a smaller size! Lord knows I would eat the entire thing myself if I wasn't careful! ha!
LaKita says
Yes Wendy! I completely understand because I have the exact same problem when it comes to cake!