20 Holiday Treats Perfect for Eggnog Enthusiasts

These festive desserts celebrate the rich, creamy flavors that make eggnog a beloved holiday tradition. From simple custards to elaborate layer cakes, each recipe captures that distinctive spiced sweetness.

Whether you’re hosting a party or looking for cozy comfort food, these treats bring warmth and joy to any winter gathering.

01. Simple Four-Ingredient Eggnog Custard

This basic custard uses just four pantry ingredients to create a silky, spoon-ready dessert. The mixture sets up smooth and creamy with minimal effort required.

Gentle baking in a water bath prevents curdling and creates that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. No fancy techniques or special equipment needed here.

Perfect for beginners who want impressive results without complicated steps. Ready in under an hour with easy cleanup afterward.

02. Gingersnap Crust Eggnog Cream Pie

This holiday mashup combines spicy gingersnap cookies with smooth eggnog filling in a no-bake pie. Vanilla whipped cream and fresh nutmeg complete the festive presentation.

The gingersnap crust adds warm spice notes that complement the creamy eggnog perfectly. Crushing cookies creates an easy press-in crust without rolling dough.

Great for make-ahead entertaining since it needs time to chill and set. This version impresses guests without turning on the oven.

03. Bread Pudding with Coconut Rum Sauce

Day-old bread soaks up eggnog custard to create this comforting baked dessert. The coconut rum sauce adds tropical flair to traditional holiday flavors.

Skipping raisins creates a smoother, more custardy texture throughout each serving. The warm sauce pools around each portion for extra richness.

This method transforms leftover bread into an elegant dessert perfect for cold winter nights. Takes about an hour from start to finish.

04. Soft Spiced Eggnog Cookies

These tender cookies get their distinctive flavor from real eggnog mixed right into the dough. Warm spices create that familiar holiday aroma while baking.

The soft texture comes from the extra moisture that eggnog adds to cookie dough. Each bite delivers gentle spice and creamy sweetness.

Perfect for cookie exchanges or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve. The dough chills well for making ahead during busy holiday weeks.

05. Moist Banana Eggnog Layer Cake

Ripe bananas and store-bought eggnog team up in this extra-moist cake recipe. The combination creates complex flavor that goes beyond typical holiday desserts.

Mashing bananas right into the batter adds natural sweetness and keeps everything tender. The eggnog provides richness without making it too heavy.

This version works great for potluck dinners or family gatherings where you need something different. Easy to transport and slice for serving.

06. Impressive Deep South Layer Cake

This towering layer cake uses store-bought eggnog in both the cake and frosting for maximum flavor impact. Multiple layers create a true showstopper dessert.

The recipe scales easily into cupcakes for parties or individual servings. Rich eggnog flavor runs throughout every component of this impressive dessert.

Takes more time but creates bakery-quality results that wow holiday guests. Perfect centerpiece for special celebrations and family traditions.

07. From-Scratch Eggnog Cupcakes

These homemade cupcakes feature eggnog in both the tender cake and the fluffy buttercream frosting. Every bite delivers authentic holiday cheer and festive flavor.

Making everything from scratch gives you control over sweetness and spice levels. The whipped eggnog buttercream pipes beautifully for elegant presentation.

Great for holiday parties where individual servings work better than whole cakes. The frosting holds up well at room temperature during serving.

08. Light and Fluffy Eggnog Bavarian Pie

This elegant pie features eggnog Bavarian cream lightened with whipped cream and stabilized with gelatin. The filling sets up airy and smooth without baking.

Folding in whipped cream creates that signature light texture that melts on your tongue. Fresh nutmeg and cream garnish add classic finishing touches.

Perfect for warm weather celebrations when you want eggnog flavors without heavy richness. Chills beautifully and slices clean for pretty servings.

09. Festive Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies

These buttery cookies get filled with eggnog-flavored mixture made from butter, powdered sugar, and rum. Crushed candy canes add festive color and crunch.

The thumbprint technique creates perfect little wells for holding the creamy filling. Ground nutmeg in the filling provides that signature eggnog taste.

Easy enough for holiday baking with kids who love making the thumb impressions. The colorful candy cane topping makes them extra special.

10. Versatile Eggnog Whipped Cream

Regular whipped cream gets enhanced with rum and fresh nutmeg for instant eggnog flavor. This simple addition transforms any dessert into holiday fare.

The light texture floats beautifully on hot chocolate or coffee for grown-up holiday drinks. Fresh nutmeg makes all the difference in authentic taste.

Perfect for last-minute entertaining when you need something special without extra work. Whips up in minutes and keeps well chilled.

11. Layered Gingerbread Trifle

This impressive trifle layers gingerbread cake with eggnog custard and whipped cream in a clear glass bowl. Boxed cake mix makes it accessible for busy cooks.

Adding molasses and ginger to spice cake mix creates more authentic gingerbread flavor when needed. Multiple layers showcase all the festive components beautifully.

Great centerpiece dessert that feeds a crowd without individual plating. Assembles ahead of time and actually improves as flavors meld together.

12. Creamy Eggnog Buttercream Frosting

This simple frosting brings eggnog flavor to any cake or cookie with just a few ingredients. The creamy texture spreads smoothly and pipes well for decorating.

A little eggnog goes a long way in creating that distinctive holiday taste. The frosting works perfectly on spice cakes or molasses cookies.

Easy to whip up when you need something special for plain desserts. Stores well covered and comes back to room temperature quickly.

13. Elegant Eggnog Crème Brûlée

Store-bought eggnog, cream, and egg yolks create this restaurant-quality custard dessert. The silky base sets up perfectly with gentle oven baking.

A kitchen torch or oven broiler caramelizes the sugar topping into that signature crackly crust. The contrast between smooth custard and crispy sugar delights every time.

This version impresses dinner party guests but uses familiar ingredients. Takes some time but most of it is hands-off chilling.

14. Rich No-Churn Eggnog Ice Cream

Your ice cream maker transforms store-bought eggnog into creamy frozen dessert with minimal effort required. Fresh nutmeg and rum enhance the base flavors.

The rich eggnog base means less cream needed while still achieving that luxurious texture. Grated nutmeg adds specks of warm spice throughout.

Perfect for extending holiday flavors into warmer months or serving alongside warm desserts. Churns faster than custard-based ice creams.

15. Simple Holiday Gift Fudge

This easy fudge recipe creates perfect holiday gifts from your kitchen with minimal ingredients. White chocolate and eggnog combine for smooth, creamy squares.

Mixing nutmeg directly into the fudge distributes flavor better than just sprinkling on top. Chopped pecans add nice texture contrast to the smooth base.

Great for gift-giving since it travels well and looks impressive in pretty boxes. Sets up firm at room temperature for easy cutting.

16. Award-Winning Eggnog Cheesecake

This top-rated cheesecake features eggnog throughout the creamy filling for maximum holiday flavor impact. Gingersnap crust adds warm spice notes to complement the filling.

The water bath method prevents cracking and ensures silky smooth texture throughout. Eggnog replaces some of the cream for authentic seasonal taste.

Takes time but creates showstopper results that justify the effort for special occasions. Chills overnight for best texture and clean slicing.

17. Decadent Crème Brûlée

This luxurious custard transforms the beloved holiday drink into an elegant plated dessert. The smooth base contrasts beautifully with caramelized sugar on top.

Gentle baking creates that perfect custard texture that barely holds together on the spoon. The burnt sugar layer adds textural interest and caramel notes.

Perfect ending to formal holiday dinners when you want something truly special. The individual ramekins make elegant presentation effortless.

18. Brandy-Soaked Fruit Pound Cake

This festive pound cake features dried fruits soaked in brandy for extra richness and flavor complexity. Eggnog in the batter keeps everything moist and tender.

Soaking the dried berries plumps them up and adds boozy depth to each bite. The simple brandy glaze provides sweet finishing touch without overwhelming the cake.

Great for gift-giving since it keeps well and actually improves with time. The alcohol cooks off but leaves behind wonderful flavor depth.

19. Quick Box Mix Eggnog Cupcakes

Cake mix gets enhanced with eggnog and nutmeg for easy holiday cupcakes that taste homemade. The fluffy eggnog frosting completes the festive presentation perfectly.

Substituting eggnog for some liquid in box mix creates richer flavor and more tender crumb. Fresh nutmeg makes all the difference in authentic taste.

Perfect for busy holiday schedules when you need something special without starting from scratch. Kids love helping with the simple mixing and decorating.

20. No-Crust Impossible Coconut Pie

Your blender does all the work for this magical pie that creates its own crust while baking. Eggnog and coconut combine for tropical holiday flavor fusion.

The impossible technique means the batter separates into layers during baking without any fussing. Pumpkin spice works as a substitute when nutmeg isn’t available.

Great for novice bakers who want impressive results without pastry skills. Bakes up golden and sets perfectly with minimal effort required.

Final Thoughts

These eggnog-inspired desserts prove that holiday flavors can shine in countless creative ways. From simple custards to elaborate cakes, there’s something here for every skill level and occasion.

Let these recipes inspire your own holiday baking adventures and create new family traditions around the table.