Eggnog Poke Cake

This easy, make-ahead Eggnog Poke Cake features all the festive flavors of the holidays! Made with a simple cake mix and topped with a cream cheese frosting, everyone will be asking for seconds!

Why choose between cake and eggnog when you can have both? This Eggnog Poke Cake is a scrumptious way to marry the festive flavors of the holidays into one delightful dessert!

This moist cake uses a store-bought cake mix as the base that once baked is poked with holes to soak up a creamy vanilla pudding and creamy eggnog filling. It’s then spread with a luscious cream cheese whipped topping that’s so delicious you’ll want to eat it straight from the bowl!

If you’re an eggnog lover and ready to spread some holiday cheer, this Eggnog Poke Cake is the perfect festive dessert! Try our other holiday favorites like this Cranberry Orange Pound Cake and Gingerbread Bundt Cake!

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

• Decadent Holiday Flavor: Combining the rich flavors of eggnog with the holiday spices makes every bite of this delicious eggnog poke cake feel like Christmas.
• Easy Dessert Recipe: With simple ingredients like a boxed cake mix and a basic mix-and-pour process, this pudding poke cake comes together effortlessly, even for beginner bakers!
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare this cake a day or two in advance, letting the flavors meld and saving you time during the busy holiday season.
• Crowd-Pleaser Festive Treat: With its festive flavor and appearance, this eggnog cake is perfect for any occasion and will impress all your family and friends!
• White Cake Mix Substitute: If you want to substitute the boxed cake mix with a homemade cake version, use these ingredients: 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.

Ingredients

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card 

Cake Ingredients

• White Cake Mix: Box cake mix is the base of the cake, providing a light and fluffy texture. You could also use a yellow cake mix or spice cake mix.
• Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together and add richness.
• Eggnog: Infuses the cake with its signature flavor and moisture.
• Canola or Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake tender and moist.
• Ground Nutmeg: Adds warm, festive spice to enhance the eggnog flavor.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Ensures a soft texture.

Frosting Ingredients

• Cream Cheese: Provides a rich and creamy texture with a slight tanginess..
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting while maintaining a smooth consistency.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds lightness and richness to the frosting.

Tools You’ll Need

• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
• Mixing Bowls
• Spatula
• 13″x9″ Baking Dish

How to Make Eggnog Poke Cake

Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with non-stick spray or butter and set it aside.
2. In a large bowl, blend with a hand mixer or whisk together the cake mix, eggs, 1 cup of the eggnog, oil, and ground nutmeg. 

3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 

4. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. 
5. Poke holes over the entire top of the cake, about 1/2-inch apart.

6. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups eggnog and instant vanilla pudding. Whisk until fully combined. 

7. Pour the eggnog pudding mixture evenly over the entire cake. 

Frosting

1. In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, whip cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and whip again starting on low and building to medium speed until incorporated well and smooth. Scrape down the edges of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. 

2. While the mixer is mixing the cream cheese on low speed, gradually add the heavy whipping cream. After about 30 seconds to 1 minute, the mixture will begin to thicken. Once it begins to thicken, gradually increase the mixers speed to medium-high. 

3. When stiff peaks form (mixture holds its shape), the frosting is complete.
4. Spread the frosting on the cake. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Pro Tips and Substitutions

• Cool the cake completely before frosting. If the cake is still warm, the frosting will melt and be quite messy. 
• If you want to turn this into a layered cake, that’s easy! You can bake the layers in two 8-inch or 9-inch rounds. 
• Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature before making the frosting. This will allow for even and consistent mixing of the ingredients so the consistency and flavor is smooth and light. If you forget, just microwave it in 15-second intervals until it’s softened.
• Pudding Flavor. While vanilla instant pudding mix complements the eggnog perfectly, you can experiment with different flavors like butterscotch or even chocolate pudding for a unique twist.
• Be sure to beat the heavy cream to stiff peaks for the frosting. ‘Stiff peaks’ means the whipped cream will be thick and able to hold it’s shape when you lift it up with a spoon. This is extremely important to the success of this frosting, as it is what gives it a soft, melt in your mouth texture. 

Storage

Store this cake in an airtight container or covered well with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days. We don’t recommend freezing since it will change the texture of the icing when it thaws. 

If you want to make this dessert in advance, you can do so the day before. Refrigerate until read to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Holiday Recipes

• Whipped Shortbread Cookies
• Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
• Red Velvet Bundt Cake
• Frozen Hot Chocolate Pie