Name: Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 9 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon flour; 1 tablespoon butter (softened); 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup butter or margarine (softened); 1 cup eggnog; 1 8 oz. container sour cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla or rum extract; 2 eggs; 2 1/2 cups flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1 to 2 tablespoons eggnog

Jump to Recipe

If you’re longing for a holiday breakfast treat that feels both effortless and spectacular, look no further than Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake. This sweet, spiced cake is brimming with festive flavor and comes together mostly the night before, so you can wake up to a cozy, irresistible aroma without having to break a sweat in the morning. With its creamy eggnog richness, crackly streusel layer, and dreamy glaze, it’s the kind of morning indulgence your family and friends will request all season long.

Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything in this recipe plays a special role, coming together to create astonishing flavor and holiday warmth. Even the simplest ingredients lend their magic, resulting in a coffee cake with just the right crumb, sweetness, and fragrance. Here’s what you’ll need for your Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake:

Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and the crumbly streusel on top, lending that classic coffee cake sweetness.
All-purpose flour: Gives structure to both the cake and the streusel, ensuring a perfect, tender bite.
Butter (softened): Essential for flavor and that melt-in-your-mouth texture; used both in the batter and topping.
Ground nutmeg: Adds unmistakable warmth and holiday spice throughout the cake and the streusel.
Eggnog: The star ingredient, providing creamy richness and seasonal flavor—use your favorite prepared eggnog!
Sour cream: Makes the cake incredibly moist and tender, while adding a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
Vanilla or rum extract: Infuses extra depth, like the classic scents of eggnog punch.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and help the cake rise beautifully in the oven.
Baking powder & baking soda: The leavening duo that gives the cake its wonderfully soft, tall crumb.
Salt: Just a pinch elevates all the flavors and ensures the sweetness never overwhelms.
Powdered sugar: Whisked into the glaze for that perfect, snowy drizzle on top.

How to Make Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Streusel

Start by lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking pan—parchment paper is optional here, but a little extra butter or cooking spray ensures an easy release. Next, mix together granulated sugar, flour, butter, and ground nutmeg in a small bowl until crumbly. This joyous streusel will crown your cake with a cozy, sweet crunch.

Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and softened butter. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light, smooth, and creamy—don’t rush this step! Then, blend in the eggnog, sour cream, vanilla (or rum) extract, and eggs. The batter will look silky and smell delightfully festive. Finally, stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and another hit of nutmeg, just until combined for the softest cake possible.

Step 3: Assemble and Add the Streusel

Spread the cake batter evenly in your prepared pan. Now comes the magic: sprinkle the crumbly nutmeg streusel generously over the top. The little nuggets of buttery sugar will bake into golden bursts of flavor that make every bite sparkle.

Step 4: Refrigerate Overnight

Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and slide it into the fridge. This overnight rest lets the flavors meld and allows you to pop straight from bed to bakery-level brunch with almost no work. Letting the Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake sit overnight is the secret to its unbeatable texture and ease.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

On baking day, preheat your oven to 350°F. Uncover the pan and place it in the oven, letting the cake bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean and the edges are just slightly pulling away from the pan. Let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes—you’re almost there!

Step 6: Glaze and Serve

As your cake cools, whisk powdered sugar with a tablespoon or two of eggnog to make a smooth, pourable glaze. Drizzle it generously over the cooling cake, letting it pool in the streusel nooks and crannies. Now you have a Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake that’s ready to dazzle everyone at your table.

How to Serve Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake

Garnishes

While the glaze is already a treat, you can shower your Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake with an extra sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg or a dusting of powdered sugar for an irresistibly festive finish. Some toasted sliced almonds add a little crunch, and even a few pomegranate seeds will add a bit of jewel-toned holiday cheer.

Side Dishes

This cake absolutely shines next to steamy mugs of coffee or a frothy cup of hot chocolate. If you want something lighter on the side, offer a fruit salad bursting with winter citrus and berries, or a bowl of vanilla yogurt as a creamy counterpoint to the cake’s richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake into tidy squares for easy sharing, or use a biscuit cutter to make coffee cake rounds if you’re setting a fancy breakfast table. For a holiday brunch buffet, display slices on a cake stand under a glass dome, or wrap portions in parchment and ribbon for the sweetest edible gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake, just cover the pan tightly or transfer pieces to an airtight container. The cake can sit happily at room temperature for a day, or in the fridge for up to four days, staying moist and flavorful.

Freezing

For long-term storage, wrap individual cake squares or the whole (unglazed) cake securely in plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Pop them in the freezer for up to two months. When you’re ready for a taste of the holidays, simply thaw overnight in the fridge, then add the glaze before serving.

Reheating

To bring that fresh-from-the-oven warmth back, microwave individual slices of Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake for about 15 seconds, or reheat larger portions in a 300°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes. A gentle reheat revives the softness and brings out the flavors.

FAQs

Can I make Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake without sour cream?

Absolutely! You can substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream if that’s what you have on hand. It’ll still give you that lovely moisture and a subtle tang that complements the eggnog flavor.

What kind of eggnog works best?

Any thick, rich store-bought eggnog will work beautifully, or you can use homemade if you have a special family recipe. If your eggnog is especially sweet, you might want to slightly reduce the sugar in the batter, but most commercial brands are perfect as-is.

Can I bake this without letting it rest overnight?

You can bake right away if you’re short on time, but an overnight rest really improves the texture and deepens the flavors. The cake turns out more plush and flavorful after a night in the fridge.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a good-quality all-purpose gluten-free flour blend (one that measures cup-for-cup) for the regular flour. Be sure your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free, and your holiday guests will be thrilled!

How do I know when the cake is fully baked?

Start checking at 35 minutes: the cake should be golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center will come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. If the center is still gooey, bake for a few more minutes and check again.

Final Thoughts

Once you try this Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake, you won’t be able to imagine the holidays without it. It delivers comfort, flavor, and just a little bit of magic to your winter mornings. Grab your ingredients, get cozy, and treat yourself and your loved ones—you deserve every fluffy, spiced bite!

Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 14 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 9 hours (including chilling)
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Overnight Eggnog Coffee Cake is a delightful treat that combines the flavors of eggnog and a moist coffee cake, perfect for holiday mornings or special occasions.

Instructions

Lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan.
In a small bowl, combine streusel ingredients until crumbly. Set aside.
To make the cake:
With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat sugar and 1/2 cup butter until smooth and creamy. Mix in the eggnog, sour cream, rum or vanilla extract and eggs.
Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Uncover pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, make glaze by whisking together powdered sugar and eggnog in a small bowl until smooth.
Drizzle over cake and serve.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American