The Perfect Holiday Dessert

There is no flavor that screams “Christmas” quite like the rich, creamy, and spicy warmth of eggnog. If you’re looking for a simple, impressive, and utterly delicious dessert that captures the essence of the holidays, this Quick and Easy Gluten-Free Eggnog Cake is it!

This cake is the definition of a holiday miracle: it’s incredibly fluffy and moist, thanks to the eggnog baked right into the batter, and it’s topped with a rich, spiked (optional!) eggnog buttercream frosting. Best of all, it’s straightforward to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser—no one will guess it’s completely gluten-free!

❤️ Recipe Summary

This recipe uses a simple, all-in-one approach to create a cake batter that’s both reliable and light. The key is incorporating the eggnog directly into the wet ingredients, replacing traditional milk or liquid. This infusion ensures the final product is bursting with that iconic nutmeg and rum flavor. We use a high-quality GF flour blend to achieve a tender crumb, making this cake moist enough to stand alone, but divine with the accompanying frosting.

Ingredient Notes:

Eggnog: Use a high-quality, full-fat eggnog. Ensure the brand you choose is naturally gluten-free. The thickness of the eggnog is crucial for both flavor and moisture.

GF Flour Blend: Use a cup-for-cup or 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that contains xanthan gum. This provides the structure needed for a fluffy cake.

Spices: Freshly grated nutmeg is highly recommended. Pre-ground nutmeg loses its punch quickly, and that fresh, warm spice is what truly sets this cake apart.

Butter (for Frosting): Ensure the butter is perfectly softened for the frosting. This is key to achieving a light and airy buttercream texture.

Rum/Brandy Extract (Optional): Add a touch of rum extract to the cake batter and the frosting to enhance the “spiked” eggnog flavor without the alcohol.

A Note From My Kitchen

When baking a cake that relies heavily on a liquid ingredient like eggnog, the consistency of your batter is important. Gluten-free flours absorb moisture differently than wheat flour, but the high fat and sugar content of eggnog help keep the cake tender and prevent a dry, crumbly texture. Don’t worry if the batter looks slightly thicker than a traditional cake batter—that’s normal!

How to Make a Fluffy Gluten Free Eggnog Cake (Step-By-Step)

Prep: Preheat your oven and prepare your baking pans with grease and parchment paper.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk the GF flour, baking powder, salt, and spices together.
Alternate Mixing: Add the dry ingredients alternately with the eggnog to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix!
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool Completely: Let the cakes cool entirely before applying the frosting.
Frost: Whip up the eggnog buttercream and frost the cooled cake. Sprinkle with extra nutmeg for garnish.

Tips For Success

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify (mix smoothly) and trap air, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cake.
Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the GF flour into the measuring cup, then level it off. Scooping directly from the bag packs the flour too tightly, leading to a dry cake.
Don’t Open the Oven: Avoid opening the oven door during the first two-thirds of the baking time, as this can cause the cake to sink in the middle.

Storage Tips:

Unfrosted Cake: The unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped tightly and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.
Frosted Cake: Store the frosted cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Love This Recipe?

(Please leave a comment and five-star rating below!)

The Fluffiest Gluten-Free Eggnog Cake

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Cake

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 \1/4cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 \3/4 cups GF All-Purpose Flour Blend (with xanthan gum)
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (freshly grated preferred)
3/4 cup eggnog (full-fat, room temperature)

Frosting

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3-4 Tbsp eggnog
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2tsp rum or brandy extract (optional)

Instructions

Prep: Preheat oven to 350F ,175C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or two 8-inch round pans.
Cream: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
Mix Dry: In a separate bowl, whisk together the GF flour blend, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients alternately with the eggnog to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry. Mix on low speed until just combined and smooth. Do not overmix.
Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan(s). Bake for 30-35 minutes for a single 9-inch cake, or 20-25 minutes for two 8-inch layers, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar.
Beat in the eggnog, nutmeg, and rum extract (if using) until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more eggnog if needed to reach a spreadable consistency.

Notes

For a single layer cake, use a 9×9 inch square pan and bake for approximately 30 minutes.
Ensure all liquid ingredients (eggs, eggnog) are at room temperature for a well-emulsified batter.

SPECIAL NOTE

If you want a stronger, traditional “spiked” flavor, you can substitute 1-2 tablespoons of the liquid eggnog in the frosting with a dark rum or brandy.

Nutrition

(Note: This nutritional analysis is an estimate for one serving, assuming 12 total servings, including the frosting.)

Nutrient	Amount per Serving (Estimated)
Calories	390kcal
Protein	4 g
Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	11g
Carbohydrates	54 g
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	40 g
Cholesterol	75mg
Sodium	250 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

All nutritional information provided is an estimate based on third-party calculators and assumes 12 equal servings. Values may vary significantly depending on the specific GF flour blend and the brand/fat content of the eggnog used. This information is for general guidance only.