This eggnog sheet cake is light and tender, finished with a silky eggnog cream cheese frosting and a dusting of sparkling sugar and freshly grated nutmeg. It’s an elegant, festive dessert perfect for holiday gatherings.
Welcome to this year’s Christmas cake celebration!
This fluffy sheet cake has a delicate crumb and a cloud-like eggnog frosting. A sprinkle of sparkle sugar and a touch of freshly grated nutmeg make it look and taste extra special—an ideal centerpiece for holiday dessert tables.
It’s a simple cake to bake for a party or to bring to family celebrations. The shimmer and presentation make it feel festive without being fussy.
Each year I share a holiday cake and this tradition has become one of my favorite parts of the season. I love testing recipes and seeing readers make them for their celebrations.
Over the years I’ve shared many holiday cakes—white Christmas cake, pink peppermint, hot cocoa cake, and more. This year I hopped back on the cake train with a sheet cake that’s easy and crowd-pleasing.
Can we talk about eggnog? I adore the flavor but rarely drink a full cup—too rich on its own. Using eggnog in baked goods, coffee, and desserts is the perfect way to enjoy that cozy, spiced taste without overdoing it.
I originally considered an eggnog poke cake, but that felt too wet and like a tres leches. Instead I adapted the base of a white sheet cake and finished it with a generous, whipped cream cheese eggnog frosting. The result is light cake with an indulgent, tangy, and airy frosting—pure holiday comfort.
The frosting is a cream cheese-based eggnog frosting—whipped until smooth and luscious. The tang of the cream cheese balances the sweetness, and a touch of nutmeg in the frosting echoes the cake’s flavor. A scattering of white sparkle sugar adds a little crunch and makes the cake extra pretty.
Fluffy cake, creamy frosting, and a dusting of sparkle—this cake delivers festive flavor and a beautiful presentation.
For a finishing touch you can use edible shimmer or a fine dusting of sparkle sugar to enhance the holiday look. It’s optional, but it does make the cake feel extra special this time of year.
Eggnog Sparkle Sheet Cake
Eggnog Sparkle Sheet Cake
12 to 16
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 cup eggnog
Eggnog Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons eggnog
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- White sparkle sugar, for topping
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray that contains flour.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt.
- In the bowl of a mixer, beat the sugar and oil until combined. Beat in the whole eggs and egg whites, then add vanilla and almond extracts. Stir in the yogurt.
- Add half of the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, then beat in the eggnog. Finish by adding the remaining dry ingredients and mixing until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake 25–32 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
Eggnog Frosting
- Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until combined. Mix in the eggnog and vanilla until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. Top with sparkle sugar and grate fresh nutmeg over the top for garnish.
Light cake, rich frosting—everything eggnog lovers want in a holiday dessert.
Did you make this recipe?
If you try the cake, consider sharing a photo on social media and tagging the creator. It’s always wonderful to see how recipes come to life in your kitchen.
My bite!