Are you on the hunt for a bake that embodies the festive spirit in every single mouthful? A dessert that not only tastes like Christmas but also fills your entire home with its warming, joyful aroma? We think we’ve found the perfect recipe for you. Picture this: a deeply moist and tender cake, rich with the comforting spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, crowned with a smooth, velvety frosting that perfectly captures the flavour of creamy eggnog. This is our definitive Christmas Spice Cake Eggnog Buttercream Frosting, a bake we’re certain will become a cherished staple in your holiday celebrations.

We’ve dedicated ourselves to refining this recipe, ensuring it is not only irresistibly delicious but also wonderfully straightforward for bakers of any skill level. This is more than just a cake; it’s a festive centrepiece and a memory in the making. It’s the perfect treat to enjoy with a warm drink by the fireside, bringing friends and family together. So, let’s begin our baking adventure and create something truly special this Christmas.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic Festive Flavour: The symphony of warm spices within the cake, paired with the decadent and creamy eggnog frosting, offers a truly indulgent Christmas taste. It’s a classic flavour combination that evokes pure festive nostalgia.
• Exceptionally Moist Crumb: Our secret to a soft, tender texture that remains fresh for days is buttermilk. It guarantees a beautifully moist cake, so you can say goodbye to any fears of a dry, crumbly result.
• A Show-Stopping Centrepiece: This cake is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Its elegant layers and beautifully swirled frosting make it a stunning addition to any festive table, guaranteed to wow your guests with minimal fuss.
• An Incredible Festive Aroma: As this Spice Cake bakes, your home will be filled with the most enchanting scents of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. It’s the most delicious form of Christmas potpourri imaginable!
• Surprisingly Simple to Create: Despite its professional appearance, this recipe is composed of clear, easy-to-follow steps. We will guide you through every stage, from baking the perfect cake layers to whipping up the dreamiest frosting.

Ingredients

• plain flour
• baking powder
• bicarbonate of soda
• ground cinnamon
• ground ginger
• ground nutmeg
• ground cloves
• unsalted butter
• caster sugar
• light brown soft sugar
• large free-range eggs
• vanilla extract
• icing sugar
• good-quality eggnog
• freshly grated nutmeg

For this delightful creation, we’ll gather ingredients for both the spiced cake and its magnificent frosting. It’s essential to use room-temperature ingredients, particularly the butter, eggs, and buttermilk, as this is the key to achieving a smooth batter and an exceptionally light, fluffy cake.

• For the Christmas Spice Cake:
• 340g plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• 225g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 200g caster sugar
• 150g light brown soft sugar
• 4 large free-range eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 240ml buttermilk, at room temperature
• For the Eggnog Buttercream Frosting:
• 340g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 600g icing sugar, sifted
• 80ml good-quality eggnog (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Festive Cake

We’ve structured the method into manageable stages to make it as simple as possible. We will first bake the fragrant spice cake layers. While they cool, we’ll prepare the luxurious Eggnog Buttercream. Finally, we’ll move on to the most exciting part: assembling our masterpiece!

Preparing the Christmas Spice Cake Batter

1. Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4). Thoroughly grease two 20cm (8-inch) round cake tins and line the bottom of each with a circle of baking parchment.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, sift or whisk together the plain flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This step is vital for ensuring the spices are evenly incorporated throughout the batter. For deeper insight into baking with spices, the BBC Good Food guide to spices is an excellent resource.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a handheld electric mixer, beat the softened butter with the caster and light brown sugars in a large bowl. Continue on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is visibly lighter in colour and has a fluffy texture.
4. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Introduce the eggs one by one, ensuring each is fully mixed in before adding the next. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically. Once the eggs are combined, stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternate Wet and Dry Mixtures: Turn the mixer speed down to low. Add one-third of your dry ingredient mix, followed by half of the buttermilk. Repeat this process, finishing with the last portion of the dry ingredients. Mix only until the streaks of flour disappear to avoid developing the gluten too much, which can make the cake tough.
6. Divide and Bake: Distribute the batter evenly between the two prepared cake tins, using a spatula to level the tops for an even bake.

Baking to Perfection

With our batter ready, it is time to bake the layers for our Christmas Spice Cake. The wonderful festive aroma that will soon envelop your kitchen is one of the true joys of this recipe!

1. Bake the Cakes: Place the tins into the hot oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. To check if they are cooked through, insert a skewer or toothpick into the centre of each cake; if it comes out clean, they are done.
2. Cool Completely: Allow the cakes to rest in their tins for around 15 minutes. Afterwards, gently invert them onto a wire rack, remove the baking parchment, and leave them to cool down completely. This step is non-negotiable, as attempting to frost a warm cake will result in a melted, soupy mess!

How to Make the Dreamy Christmas Spice Cake Eggnog Buttercream Frosting

This frosting truly transforms the cake into something extraordinary. It is sumptuously creamy, rich, and imbued with that classic festive eggnog flavour. The secret to its light, airy consistency is to beat the butter thoroughly at the start.

1. Whip the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the room-temperature butter on medium-high speed for approximately 5 minutes. The butter should become pale, light, and significantly fluffier. Please don’t rush this crucial step!
2. Add the Icing Sugar: Reduce the mixer speed to low and begin adding the sifted icing sugar gradually, about a cup at a time. Once all the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and beat for a further 3-4 minutes until the frosting is perfectly smooth.
3. Infuse with Eggnog: Pour in the eggnog and vanilla extract, then add a small pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. Continue to beat on medium speed for another 2 minutes until everything is beautifully combined, creating a light and spreadable consistency. If it feels too stiff, add a touch more eggnog; if it’s too loose, add a little more icing sugar.

Assembling Your Festive Masterpiece

Once your cake layers have cooled and your frosting is whipped to perfection, it is time to assemble your beautiful creation. Be patient during this stage to achieve a polished, professional look.

1. Level the Cakes: If the tops of your cake layers are slightly domed, use a long, serrated knife to carefully trim them, creating a flat surface for stacking. (The offcuts make for a well-deserved baker’s snack!)
2. Build the First Layer: Position one cake layer on your chosen serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of the Eggnog Buttercream frosting evenly across the top, reaching all the way to the edges.
3. Add the Second Layer: Gently place the second cake layer on top of the frosted base.
4. Apply a Crumb Coat: Use an offset spatula to cover the top and sides of the entire cake with a thin layer of frosting. This is known as a ‘crumb coat’, and it cleverly traps any loose crumbs. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to allow this layer to set.
5. The Final Frosting: After the crumb coat has firmed up, generously apply the remaining frosting. You can create elegant swirls with your spatula for a rustic finish or aim for a perfectly smooth surface. A final dusting of nutmeg or some festive sprinkles will complete the look.

Planning Your Festive Menu

A spectacular dessert deserves a fantastic meal to precede it. Organising your full festive menu can be a joyful part of the holiday preparations. While this cake provides the perfect sweet conclusion, if you’re seeking inspiration for a main course, our much-loved Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is an excellent option for a satisfying family meal. For a more casual Christmas Eve dinner, our flavourful Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls are always a resounding success.

FAQ

Your New Favourite Christmas Tradition

And there you have it—a truly sensational Christmas Spice Cake Eggnog Buttercream Frosting, ready to take centre stage at your holiday festivities. From the fragrant spices in the moist cake to the rich, smooth frosting, each component works in beautiful harmony to deliver the ultimate festive indulgence. This is more than a simple recipe; it’s a celebration of the flavours, aromas, and joy that define the season.

We hope you’ll gather your ingredients, turn on your favourite festive tunes, and truly savour the experience of creating this wonderful cake. We would be thrilled to see your beautiful bakes, so please do share them with us on social media! Happy baking, and we wish you a very merry Christmas.

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Prep: 40 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Serves: 12

Ingredients

• For the Christmas Spice Cake:
• 340g plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• 225g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 200g caster sugar
• 150g light brown soft sugar
• 4 large free-range eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 240ml buttermilk, at room temperature
• For the Eggnog Buttercream Frosting:
• 340g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 600g icing sugar, sifted
• 80ml good-quality eggnog
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C Fan). Grease and line two 20cm (8-inch) round cake tins.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, all spices, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. On low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredient mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry mix. Mix only until just combined.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared tins and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let cool in the tins for 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
6. To make the frosting, beat the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes until pale and fluffy. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar on low speed, then beat on medium-high for another 3-4 minutes until smooth.
7. Add the eggnog, vanilla extract, and a pinch of nutmeg. Beat for 2 more minutes until light and spreadable.
8. To assemble, place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate and spread with a generous amount of frosting. Place the second layer on top.
9. Apply a thin ‘crumb coat’ of frosting over the entire cake and chill for 20-30 minutes to set.
10. Cover the cake with the remaining frosting, creating swirls or a smooth finish as desired. Garnish with a final dusting of nutmeg before serving.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: —, Carbs: — g, Protein: — g, Fat: — g