These Eggnog Cupcakes are flavored with real eggnog and nutmeg and topped with a rich eggnog frosting that makes them perfect for parties, cookie swaps, or a cozy night in this holiday season.
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When I first made eggnog cupcakes back in 2013, I put a chocolate peanut butter cup in them and called them eggnog peanut butter cupcakes.
I'm sure they were delicious, but I decided to update this post with a recipe for actual pure eggnog cupcakes with no chocolate or peanut butter added.
The moist and festive cupcakes are flavored with a little bit of eggnog in both the cake and the frosting and are the perfect treat to bring to any holiday party.
❤️ Why this recipe works
Eggnog is an easy replacement for whole milk: instead of the milk I'd usually use in cupcakes, I swapped it for eggnog. It adds a little bit of festive flavor to both the cake and the buttercream frosting with no artificial taste.
Nutmeg adds a festive boost: because you can only add so much liquid to a cupcake batter and I wanted a little more eggnog flavor, I used a little bit of ground nutmeg in the cupcakes.
Simple, approachable baking method: there's nothing fancy about this cupcake baking method and you'll get the perfect cupcakes every time, even if you're not an expert baker.
Lots of decorating options: I love decorating these eggnog cupcakes with festive sprinkles and a little straw, but you can decorate them however you want.
🗒 Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make these eggnog cupcakes (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Ground nutmeg
- Salt
- Eggnog
- Large eggs
And here's what you need for the eggnog frosting:
- Unsalted butter
- Confectioners' sugar
- Eggnog
- Salt
🧁 Recipe tips
- To ensure the batter emulsifies properly and you don't get dense cupcakes, I recommend adding the eggs one at a time.
- When you add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar/egg mixture, alternate them with the wet ingredients to help keep the batter smooth without overworking the gluten.
- Take care not to over-mix the cupcake batter once you add the flour in. Blend until it's just incorporated to ensure moist cupcakes.
- Fill cupcake liners about ¾ of the way full as the cupcakes will rise when baking.
- Bake until the edges of the cupcakes are just turning golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Start with using just ¼ cup eggnog in frosting. If it's too thick, add more eggnog ¼ teaspoon at a time to ensure it doesn't go from too thick to too liquid-y.
- If you want even more eggnog flavor in your frosting, you can add a pinch of nutmeg.
- Be sure to let cupcakes cool completely before adding frosting.
- I use a Wilton #1A pastry tip for frosting, but you can add frosting however you want.
- And top cupcakes with any decorations you like. I usually use sprinkles from Sweetapolita and add a little straw to make it a little more clear these are eggnog cupcakes.
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These are the kinds of holiday cupcakes everyone will love; even self-proclaimed eggnog haters.
The eggnog flavor is fairly subtle, the cupcake is super moist, and every bite will remind you the holiday season is here.
⏲️ How to store
I recommend storing these cupcakes in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for 2-3 days as long as they're stored properly and your kitchen is fairly cool.
You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for longer. I recommend letting them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.
🎉 Recipe variations
I love the simplicity of these eggnog cupcakes (which is exactly why I changed them from having a peanut butter cup in the middle), but there's lots you can do to make them your own.
Here are some ideas:
- If you're here because you loved my old recipe, no problem! You can use this exact same recipes, but after spooning the batter into the cupcake tin, press a chocolate peanut butter candy (like a mini Reese's cup or peanut butter bell) under the batter.
- Make boozy eggnog cupcakes by adding 1-2 tablespoon dark rum or spiced rum to the batter. Reduce the eggnog by the same amount to keep the liquid balance right.
- Make eggnog latte cupcakes by dissolving 1-2 teaspoon espresso powder in the eggnog before mixing it into the batter.
- If you prefer mini cupcakes (perfect for holiday parties or dessert boards!), bake the batter in a mini muffin tin for 10-12 minutes.
- Make an eggnog custard and fill each cupcake with a tablespoon of it before topping with frosting.
- Feel free to use dairy-free eggnog or the eggnog variety of your choice in these cupcakes.
Enjoy these with a homemade eggnog latte for the best way to get into the holiday spirit!
🥛 More eggnog recipes
If you know anything about me, it's that I'm going to cram eggnog into as many treats as I can during the holiday season!
Here are some more of my favorite eggnog recipes:
If you need a good excuse to enjoy eggnog for breakfast, try my Eggnog Overnight Oats.
And you can see all my Christmas recipes here.
These cupcakes make a great show-stopper on your holiday cookie platter, too!
What's your favorite way to enjoy eggnog during the holidays?
📖 Recipe
Eggnog Cupcakes
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup eggnog
- 1 batch eggnog frosting (recipe below)
Eggnog Frosting
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter room temperature
- 4 cups confectioner's sugar
- ¼-1/2 cup eggnog
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two cupcake tins with cupcake papers.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt.
- With the mixer on low, alternate adding dry ingredients and eggnog to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, taking care not to over-mix.
- Fill cupcake tins about ¾ of the way to the top with batter.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until cupcakes are beginning to turn golden around edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool in pan for a few minutes before moving to rack to cool completely.
- Once cupcakes are completely cool, frost with eggnog frosting (I use a Wilton #1A pastry tip) and top with decorations and a little straw if desired.
Eggnog Frosting
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat butter until creamy, 2-3 minutes.
- With mixer on low, slowly blend in the confectioner's sugar, 1 cup at a time until well-combined.
- Mix in ¼ cup eggnog and vanilla until combined. If thinner consistency is desired, continue adding eggnog, 1 teaspoon at a time.
Erica says
These are so cute! I love the idea of the candy hidden inside. Favorite holiday candy? Well I just found out they make my favorite candy (the blackberries/raspberries) in a holiday form! Obsessed!
Alison says
Old fashioned ribbon candy is my favorite!
Erin W says
I love flavored candy canes.. oldie but a goodie!
Joanna says
Dark chocolate holiday M&Ms. I don't know why they taste better when they're just red and green, but somehow they do!
Marie says
Those peanut butter bells are pretty tempting, but ... King Leo peppermint sticks.
Katie says
These cupcakes sound amazing! My fav holiday candy has to be peppermint bark; it's so festive and yummy!
Elis B. says
I like candy canes.
Emily says
I love Ferror Rocher hazelnut truffles!
Heather S says
I love candy canes and chocolate donuts with crushed candy canes sprinkled on top!
Michelle Lahey says
These are so adorable, and festive! I love the holiday M&Ms the best...they just scream Christmas to me!
Rachel says
I really, really, REALLY love eggnog and am particularly obsessed with it this year! These are adorable!
michelle says
i love eggnog and mint chocolate
brittany says
these are darling! my favorite holiday candy is a chocolate covered fondant that my father-in-law makes; it is from a recipe his mother used.
LauriM says
I love Andes Creme de Menthe!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
Peanut butter and egg nog sounds likes a winning combination!
Kathy says
peanut butter cookies with a Hershey's kiss-never a Christmas without them! But I do love all kinds of sprinkles. I need to get some sixlets!
Melissa L. says
My favorite holiday candy is the Reese's trees! They are delicious! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Carla S says
My favorite holiday candy is a tie between divinity and candy cane hershey kisses.
Chris says
Love these cupcakes! In fact I'm eating one (or maybe two) right now!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Oooh those cappucinno sticks sound amazing!!!! Your cupcakes are gorgeous!
Eva says
I love hershey's candy cane kisses!
Jessie C. says
I like candy canes!
Janet T says
My favorite candy is gum drops.
Lisa says
I LOVE sixlets - brings me back to my childhood
Leah says
I love candy canes!
Shannon says
Peppermint bark is my holiday favorite.
Rebecca says
Can I just say everything? 😛 especially peppermint bark and Terry's chocolate oranges though.
Sarah says
Yum a chocolate peanut butter egg nog milkshake... I have to try that!! My favorite holiday candy are those chocolate oranges, one of my favorite things to find in my stocking on Christmas morning!
Sara @ Saucy Dipper says
Peanut butter and eggnog...now that is a combination I can get behind. I feel like there must be a dip recipe that needs to be made with that combo.
As for my favorite holiday candy...this year it's Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark. So good.
Carol says
flavored candy canes are my holiday weakness
Wehaf says
I love candy canes- I eat so many of them this time of year!
rayraycartucci says
I love fudge...and divinty the BEST! If I win...will you please send some of those cupcakes???They look GOOOOOD! Thanks!
Melissa says
those little candy canes, they're perfect to stash in my purse when i really need some minty flavor!
Sarah M. says
Oh boy! I love so much holiday candy. My mom's homemade toffee, and peppermint ANYTHING - just yesterday my friend and I passed by those peppermint chew nougats with the tree-shapes inside while at the store and I was drooling. Biggest sweet tooth ever over here & those pearls on top of your cupcakes look so cute!
Noel says
I love reeses pb bells this time of year
mysweetiepiepie says
I think I love fudge the best :+)
Jee says
Frango's chocolates -- doesn't matter what flavor!
Odetta says
Does hot chocolate count? If not then I'd choose candy canes in fun flavors!
Odetta says
Oh and these cupcakes look beautiful!!! And tasty too!
Megan says
Those pearls are so festive. Love them! And the cupcakes look great. My favorite holiday candy is definitely peppermint bark!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Oh wow I bet eggnog and peanut butter go great together.
kim says
Hershey's Peppermint Kisses. Love to eat 'em, love to bake with 'em, love love love!
Marcie says
would love to try eggnog and pb together
Beth says
I love eggnog
Margot C says
Can I just say chocolate!