15 Easy Eggnog Dessert Recipes for a Cozy Christmas

There is no drink more Christmas than eggnog. That thick, creamy, nutmeg-dusted glass shows up the moment the tree goes up — and honestly, it deserves a bigger role than just sitting in a punch bowl. Eggnog is basically a dessert in disguise: rich cream, warm spice, and a silky custard base that works beautifully in cookies, cakes, fudge, and no-bake treats.

If you love the drink, you’ll love these eggnog desserts even more — every one is easy, festive, and guaranteed to disappear fast.

This year, instead of just sipping it, bake with it. These eggnog dessert recipes turn a carton of store-bought eggnog into showstopping holiday sweets — from a crack-free eggnog cheesecake to five-minute fudge and a tiramisu that tastes like Christmas morning. Most use ingredients you already have, and several are no-bake, so your oven gets a break during the busiest baking week of the year.

Looking for more cozy holiday ideas? Pair these desserts with our Christmas simmer pot recipes to make the whole house smell like the season, and keep a batch of butterfinger balls on hand for the non-eggnog fans at your table.

Eggnog Baking 101: What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive in, a few quick tips that make every eggnog dessert better:

• Full-fat eggnog wins. Light or low-fat eggnog is thinner and can make batters watery. Grab the regular stuff for baking.
• Shake the carton well. The spices settle at the bottom — a good shake keeps the flavor even.
• Replace milk or cream 1:1. In most recipes, you can swap eggnog for the milk or heavy cream called for, no other changes needed.
• Fresh nutmeg matters. Eggnog’s signature spice is nutmeg; grating it fresh over the finished dessert makes the flavor pop.
• Watch the sweetness. Eggnog is already sweetened, so taste batters and frostings before adding extra sugar.

1. Classic Eggnog Cheesecake

This is the crown jewel of eggnog desserts — a tall, creamy New York-style cheesecake with a gingersnap crust and a whole cup of eggnog baked right into the filling. It slices clean, tastes like the holidays, and the nutmeg whipped cream on top is non-negotiable.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 32 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup full-fat eggnog
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus more for dusting
• Whipped cream, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Mix the gingersnap crumbs with melted butter and press firmly into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
2. Beat the cream cheese and sugar until completely smooth, scraping the bowl twice. Add the flour and nutmeg and mix just until combined.
3. With the mixer on low, pour in the eggnog and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low after each — never overbeat, or the cheesecake will crack.
4. Pour the filling over the crust. Bake 55–65 minutes, until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
5. Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
6. Serve cold with whipped cream and a dusting of fresh nutmeg.

2. Soft Eggnog Sugar Cookies

Thick, pillowy sugar cookies with eggnog in the dough and a nutmeg-spiked glaze — these taste like the cookie version of your favorite holiday drink. They stay soft for days, which makes them perfect for cookie boxes — a true classic among eggnog desserts.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons eggnog, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a bowl.
2. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg, then the eggnog and vanilla.
3. Add the dry ingredients in two additions, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Chill 1 hour.
4. Scoop 2-tablespoon balls onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are just set — do not brown.
5. Cool completely, then whisk the glaze ingredients and dip or drizzle over each cookie. Let set 30 minutes.

3. Creamy Eggnog Fudge

Five ingredients, ten minutes of active time, zero candy thermometer — this is the easiest giftable treat on the list and one of the simplest eggnog desserts you’ll ever make. White chocolate and eggnog melt into the creamiest fudge, with nutmeg giving it that unmistakable holiday flavor. For more make-ahead candy ideas, our butterfinger balls are another no-bake crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 3 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup eggnog
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and eggnog in a saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until smooth and melted.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg, vanilla, and salt.
4. Pour into the pan, smooth the top, and dust lightly with extra nutmeg.
5. Refrigerate 3 hours until firm, then cut into 36 small squares. Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

4. Eggnog Tiramisu

All the elegance of classic tiramisu, reimagined for Christmas: ladyfingers soaked in rum-spiked eggnog, layered with mascarpone cream and dusted with cocoa and nutmeg. No raw eggs, no coffee — just pure holiday indulgence that you make a day ahead. Of all the no-bake eggnog desserts here, this is the most elegant.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups eggnog
• 3 tablespoons dark rum (optional)
• 16 oz mascarpone cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 24 crisp ladyfingers
• Unsweetened cocoa powder and ground nutmeg, for dusting

Instructions

1. Whisk the eggnog with the rum in a shallow dish.
2. Beat the mascarpone, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until thick, billowy peaks form.
3. Quickly dip each ladyfinger in the eggnog mixture (1 second per side — they soak fast) and arrange in a single layer in a 9×9-inch dish.
4. Spread half the mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers. Repeat with a second layer of dipped ladyfingers and the remaining cream.
5. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. Dust generously with cocoa and nutmeg before serving.

5. Warm Eggnog Bread Pudding

Stale bread, a carton of eggnog, and 15 minutes of prep turn into the coziest dessert of the season. The custard soaks up all that spiced creaminess, and the top bakes up golden and crisp. Serve it warm with a pour of extra eggnog over each bowl — trust me on this. Cozy eggnog desserts don’t get better than this one.

Ingredients

• 8 cups cubed day-old brioche or challah (about 1 loaf)
• 3 cups eggnog
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
• Butter, for the dish

Instructions

1. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish and add the bread cubes.
2. Whisk the eggnog, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over the bread and press gently so every cube soaks. Rest 20 minutes.
3. Sprinkle with raisins or cranberries if using.
4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes, until puffed, golden, and set in the center.
5. Serve warm with warm eggnog poured over or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

6. Eggnog Cupcakes with Nutmeg Frosting

Moist, tender cupcakes with eggnog in both the batter and the buttercream — these are what Christmas parties were invented for. The frosting pipes beautifully, so they look bakery-worthy with almost no effort.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the frosting: 1 cup butter, 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup eggnog, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
2. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
3. Add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the eggnog, beginning and ending with the dry mix.
4. Fill lined muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–20 minutes. Cool completely.
5. Beat the frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and finish with a pinch of nutmeg.

7. Layered Eggnog Trifle

The ultimate no-fuss holiday centerpiece: cubes of pound cake, eggnog custard, and whipped cream layered in a glass bowl so everyone can see the pretty stripes. It feeds a crowd, requires zero decorating skill, and tastes like you worked all day — one of the easiest eggnog desserts for a crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 prepared pound cake (about 12 oz), cubed
• 2 cups eggnog
• 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Crushed gingersnaps, for topping

Instructions

1. Whisk the eggnog with the pudding mix until thickened, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate 10 minutes.
2. Whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg to soft peaks.
3. In a trifle bowl, layer one-third of the cake cubes, one-third of the eggnog pudding, and one-third of the whipped cream. Repeat twice more.
4. Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Top with crushed gingersnaps and a dusting of nutmeg before serving.

8. No-Churn Eggnog Ice Cream

Yes, eggnog ice cream — and you don’t need a machine. Sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream do all the work, and the eggnog flavor shines through beautifully. Serve it alongside warm pecan pie cake for the ultimate hot-and-cold Christmas dessert plate.

Ingredients

• 2 cups heavy cream, very cold
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, chilled
• 1 cup eggnog, chilled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk the condensed milk, eggnog, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Fold the whipped cream into the eggnog mixture in three additions, keeping as much air as possible.
4. Pour into a loaf pan, cover, and freeze at least 6 hours or overnight.
5. Let sit 10 minutes at room temperature before scooping. Dust servings with nutmeg.

9. Eggnog Panna Cotta

Silky, wobbly, elegant — panna cotta is secretly one of the easiest desserts on earth, and eggnog makes it taste custom-built for December. Make it in pretty glasses — individual eggnog desserts always feel extra special at a holiday dinner party.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• 2 cups eggnog
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

1. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl. Let bloom 5 minutes.
2. Warm the eggnog, cream, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until steaming and the sugar dissolves — do not boil.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved, then add the vanilla and nutmeg.
4. Pour into six glasses or ramekins. Refrigerate at least 6 hours until set.
5. Serve chilled with a grating of fresh nutmeg and optional crushed amaretti cookies.

10. Eggnog Pound Cake

A dense, buttery, golden pound cake with a full cup of eggnog in the batter and a simple eggnog glaze dripping down the sides. It keeps beautifully for days, ships well in a cookie tin, and needs nothing more than a cup of coffee alongside it — classic comfort among eggnog desserts.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• For the glaze: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons eggnog, pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

1. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
2. Cream the butter and sugar 4–5 minutes until very pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
3. Add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the eggnog. Stir in the vanilla.
4. Pour into a greased and floured 10-inch Bundt pan. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 60–70 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
5. Cool 15 minutes in the pan, then turn out and cool completely. Whisk the glaze and drizzle over the cake.

11. Eggnog Brownies

Fudgy, crackly-topped brownies get a holiday upgrade two ways: eggnog in the batter and a swirl of nutmeg cream cheese on top. The result is rich enough for the chocolate lovers and festive enough for the Christmas dessert table.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• For the swirl: 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons eggnog, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment. Whisk the melted butter and sugar, then the eggs, eggnog, and vanilla.
2. Fold in the cocoa, flour, and salt just until combined. Spread in the pan.
3. Beat the swirl ingredients until smooth. Dollop over the batter and drag a knife through for marbling.
4. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 28–32 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
5. Cool completely before cutting into 16 squares.

12. Eggnog Cheesecake Dip

The 10-minute party hero: everything you love about eggnog cheesecake, whipped into a fluffy dip. Serve it with gingersnaps, apple slices, and pretzel rods, and watch it disappear before the main dessert even hits the table. For last-minute entertaining, few eggnog desserts come together this fast.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup eggnog
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gingersnaps, apple slices, and pretzel rods, for serving

Instructions

1. Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
2. Beat in the eggnog, vanilla, and nutmeg until combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Fold into the eggnog mixture.
4. Chill 1 hour. Transfer to a serving bowl, dust with nutmeg, and serve with dippers.

13. Creamy Eggnog Rice Pudding

Old-fashioned comfort in a bowl. Arborio rice simmers slowly in eggnog until thick and creamy, with cinnamon and nutmeg doing the heavy lifting. Serve it warm on a snowy night and you’ll understand why this one never goes out of style.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup arborio rice
• 4 cups eggnog, divided
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Ground nutmeg and cinnamon, for serving

Instructions

1. Combine the rice, 3 cups of the eggnog, sugar, cinnamon stick, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often. Cook 30–35 minutes, until the rice is tender and the mixture is thick and creamy.
3. Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in the remaining 1 cup eggnog and the vanilla (this loosens it to the perfect consistency).
4. Serve warm, dusted with nutmeg and cinnamon.

14. Eggnog Whoopie Pies

Soft, cake-like spiced cookies sandwiching a fluffy eggnog buttercream — whoopie pies are made for lunchboxes, cookie swaps, and anyone who believes frosting should be a structural element. Kids go crazy for these.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the filling: 1/2 cup butter, 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons eggnog, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Cream the butter and brown sugar. Beat in the egg, eggnog, and vanilla, then the dry ingredients.
3. Scoop 1 1/2-tablespoon mounds onto lined baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes. Cool completely.
4. Beat the filling until fluffy. Sandwich pairs of cookies with a generous spoonful of filling.
5. Store in an airtight container up to 3 days — if they last that long.

15. Eggnog Crème Brûlée

The grand finale: classic French custard meets Christmas. Eggnog replaces the usual cream for a custard that’s already spiced and sweetened, finished with that signature crackly sugar shell. It’s easier than it looks and impossibly impressive — a fitting finale for these 15 eggnog desserts.

Ingredients

• 2 cups eggnog
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 6 teaspoons for topping
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Warm the eggnog and cream in a saucepan until steaming.
2. Whisk the yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, vanilla, and salt. Slowly pour in the warm eggnog mixture, whisking constantly.
3. Strain into a pitcher and divide among six ramekins. Place ramekins in a roasting pan and add hot water halfway up the sides.
4. Bake 35–40 minutes, until the edges are set but centers jiggle. Cool, then refrigerate at least 4 hours.
5. Just before serving, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar over each custard and torch (or broil 2–3 minutes) until deep amber and crackly.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips for Eggnog Desserts

• Cheesecakes, tiramisu, trifles, and panna cotta all improve with an overnight chill — make them the day before your party.
• Fudge, pound cake, and cookies keep 5–7 days at room temperature in airtight containers, making them ideal for gifting.
• Freeze smart: unfrosted cupcakes, cookie dough balls, and pound cake freeze beautifully up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Eggnog safety: store-bought pasteurized eggnog is safe in no-bake recipes. If using homemade eggnog with raw eggs, stick to baked recipes only.
• Doubling for a crowd: most of these eggnog desserts double easily — use a second pan or dish for potlucks and cookie swaps.

For a full holiday dessert spread, round out the table with our apple pie biscuits and Christmas simmer pots for atmosphere — plus one more sweet bite from our friends at iRecipeFood’s caramel cheesecake cookies.

Eggnog Dessert FAQs

Can I bake with store-bought eggnog?

Absolutely — store-bought eggnog is actually ideal for baking because it’s pasteurized and consistent. Choose full-fat eggnog for the richest results, and shake the carton well before measuring.

What can I substitute for eggnog in these recipes?

In a pinch, use half-and-half with a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, and a teaspoon of vanilla per cup. The flavor won’t be identical, but it gets you close. For dairy-free needs, several brands make almond or oat-based nog that works in most of these desserts.

Do eggnog desserts taste strongly of alcohol?

No — none of these recipes rely on alcohol for flavor, and the one optional splash of rum in the tiramisu bakes off in spirit (it’s no-bake, so skip it entirely if you prefer). These are family-friendly holiday desserts.

How long do eggnog desserts last?

Refrigerated desserts like cheesecake, tiramisu, and trifle keep 3–4 days. Baked goods like cookies, pound cake, and fudge last 5–7 days at room temperature in airtight containers. Always refrigerate anything with unbaked dairy.

Can I make eggnog desserts ahead for Christmas?

Yes — that’s their superpower. Cheesecake, tiramisu, trifle, panna cotta, and crème brûlée all need chilling time anyway, so make them 1–2 days ahead. Freeze cookie dough and pound cake up to 2 months out.

Is homemade or store-bought eggnog better for desserts?

For baked recipes, either works. For no-bake recipes like the tiramisu, dip, and panna cotta, always use pasteurized store-bought eggnog for food safety — homemade eggnog with raw eggs should only go into recipes that get fully baked.

What are the easiest eggnog desserts for beginners?

Start with the no-bake eggnog desserts: five-minute fudge, cheesecake dip, and no-churn ice cream all come together with minimal equipment and zero stress.

The Sweetest Way to Use Up That Eggnog

Whether you go all-in on the eggnog cheesecake, keep it simple with five-minute fudge, or impress the in-laws with eggnog crème brûlée, these eggnog desserts prove that the season’s most iconic drink belongs on the dessert table too. Pick one (or three), dust everything with fresh nutmeg, and enjoy the coziest baking season of the year.

Which one of these eggnog desserts are you making first? And if you need one more Christmas showstopper, our pecan pie cake never disappoints.