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 something truly magical about the warm spices and creamy richness of eggnog combined with a buttery crumb cake. This Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe brings all those cozy holiday vibes right to your kitchen with a perfect balance of soft cake and crumbly topping you’ll want to savor again and again.

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 still remember the first time I made this eggnog crumb cake—it filled my kitchen with the warmest holiday scents and instantly became a staple for festive breakfasts and gatherings. It’s one of those recipes that’s impressive but forgiving, perfect if you want something special without the fuss.

Rich Flavor Profile: This recipe combines cinnamon, nutmeg, and real eggnog for a quintessential holiday taste you can’t get enough of.
Perfect Texture: You get a tender, moist crumb cake base with a satisfyingly crunchy crumb topping—that contrast is everything.
Easy to Make: It’s straightforward, with ingredients you likely have on hand, and it’s friendly even if you’re not a baking pro.
Versatile Serving: Delicious for breakfast, dessert, or even an afternoon treat with coffee or tea.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe plays a key role in delivering that classic holiday flavor and delicate texture. Picking the right quality ingredients can really elevate your cake, especially the eggnog and butter.

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: Provides structure and tenderness—using good quality flour makes a noticeable difference.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor, crucial for crumb topping richness.
Ground cinnamon & nutmeg: These warm spices bring that unmistakable festive aroma; freshly ground is even better if you can manage it.
Unsalted butter: Using room temperature butter in the cake and melted butter in the topping helps create perfect texture and flavor balance.
Eggnog: The star ingredient! Adds moisture and that signature creamy, spiced flavor—you want it fresh and cold.
Sour cream: Keeps the cake moist and tender, plus a little tang that cuts through the sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Boosts the depth of flavor, making the spices pop.
Granulated sugar & powdered sugar: For sweetness and that smooth glaze drizzle to finish.
Baking powder & baking soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise perfectly with a light texture.
Sprinkles (optional): Because sometimes you just want to add a bit of whimsical holiday cheer on top!

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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 always encourage making this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe your own because a little tweak here and there can make it just right for your taste. I’ve played with adding extra spices or swapping sour cream for Greek yogurt and loved how it turned out.

Variation: Try tossing some chopped walnuts or pecans into the crumb topping for added crunch and warmth—I do this when I want an extra festive touch.
Dairy-free option: Use a plant-based butter and substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt, plus a non-dairy eggnog, to keep the flavors but go dairy-free.
Spice it up: I’ve experimented with a pinch of ground cloves or ginger along with the traditional spices, which adds a lovely depth you might crave.

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 crumb topping

Start by mixing the light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and flour for the crumb topping. Then pour in the melted butter and stir gently until everything is just combined and crumbly. Don’t overmix here—you want those big, buttery crumbs that will bake to a crispy, sweet topping.

Step 2: Mix the cake batter

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. In another, beat room temperature butter with granulated sugar until fluffy. Then add in the egg, eggnog, sour cream, and vanilla. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined—don’t overdo it or the cake may turn dense.

Step 3: Assemble and bake

Pour the cake batter into your greased pan, then sprinkle all the crumb topping evenly over it—pressing lightly so it sticks. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean except for moist crumbs. The golden top indicates that perfect crumbly crunch.

Step 4: Glaze and garnish

While the cake cools, whisk powdered sugar with eggnog and warm spices until smooth and pourable. Drizzle this glaze over the cake for extra sweetness and shine. If you’re feeling festive, adding a few sprinkles at this stage makes for a cheerful presentation.

Top Tip

From my experience, the little details make all the difference when making this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe. Here are some tips I’ve gathered to help you nail it on the first try:

Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter for the batter is room temperature and the butter for the topping is melted—that contrast helps create that dreamy crumb texture.
Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry ingredients into wet, stir just until combined to avoid a tough cake.
Check Early: Oven times vary, so start checking the cake at 35 minutes to avoid overbaking, which dries out the cake.
Glaze Consistency: Adjust the eggnog amount in the glaze slowly—too thin and it’ll run off, too thick and it won’t drizzle nicely.

How to Serve Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I like a simple dusting of cinnamon or some festive sprinkles on top for the holidays. A few toasted nuts can add crunch if you want a fancied-up look without extra fuss. Sometimes, I even serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Side Dishes

This cake goes wonderfully with a cup of rich coffee, chai tea, or even mulled wine if you’re serving adults. For a brunch spread, pair it with fresh fruit like berries or a crisp citrus salad that balances the cake’s sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

I once layered slices of this crumb cake between whipped cream and fresh cranberries to create a quick holiday trifle that was a showstopper at a family party. You can also cut it into mini squares and serve on pretty platters for a festive tea party or cookie exchange.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I wrap leftover cake tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for a day or two, and it stays moist and fresh. If you’re storing longer, the fridge works but may dry the cake out slightly, so I recommend warming it gently before serving.

Freezing

This crumb cake freezes beautifully—just slice it first, then wrap each piece in plastic and place in a freezer-safe bag. When you want a treat, thaw overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature.

Reheating

I like to warm slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or pop them in a low oven (around 300°F) wrapped in foil for 10 minutes to bring back that just-baked warmth without drying it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the sour cream in this Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe?

Yes! You can swap sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt or buttermilk for a similar tang and moisture. Keep the measurements the same and know that Greek yogurt might yield a slightly denser crumb.

Is it necessary to use real eggnog?

Using real eggnog makes a difference in the authentic flavor and richness of the cake. However, if you don’t have any, you can substitute with a mixture of milk and a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg as a last resort.

How do I ensure the crumb topping stays crunchy after baking?

Make sure to use melted butter in the crumb topping and sprinkle it evenly over the batter. Avoid pressing the topping too hard into the batter before baking to keep crumbs loose and crisp. Cooling the cake completely before glazing also helps preserve that crunch.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. To maintain tenderness and structure, look for blends that contain xanthan gum or add a bit yourself. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Crumb Cake Recipe has become a little slice of comfort for me, especially around the holidays when family and friends come together. It’s the kind of treat that feels nostalgic and special without demanding hours in the kitchen. I really hope you try making it—it’s one of those recipes where the smell alone brings a smile, and the taste keeps everyone coming back for more.