Irresistible Glazed Eggnog Muffins: Your Perfect Holiday Breakfast & Dessert

These glazed Eggnog Muffins are a truly special, holiday-inspired sweet treat that seamlessly transitions from a delightful breakfast to an elegant dessert! Bursting with festive flavors and incredibly moist, they’re sure to become a cherished part of your seasonal traditions.

Homemade Eggnog Muffins: A Festive Delight

These homemade eggnog muffins are a true embodiment of holiday cheer, delivering an incredibly soft, fluffy texture and a delicate crumb, all enhanced by a luscious eggnog icing. The moment you bite into one, you’ll understand why these are more than just muffins; they’re a festive experience.

During the enchanting holiday season, I find myself constantly drawn to incorporating the rich, creamy flavor of eggnog into a variety of festive recipes. Beyond these delightful muffins, some of my other favorite eggnog-infused creations include eggnog French toast for a decadent brunch, and my absolute favorite, a comforting cranberry eggnog bread. The unique warmth and spice of eggnog elevate any baked good, transforming it into something truly special.

Baking with eggnog imparts an extraordinary level of moisture and richness to these muffins. Even if you’re typically not a fan of drinking eggnog on its own, I guarantee you’ll fall in love with these. The baking process mellows the distinct eggnog flavor, integrating it beautifully with the other spices to create a harmonious and inviting taste that’s subtly spiced and wonderfully sweet. They offer just enough of that signature holiday taste without being overpowering.

I adore preparing these muffins for festive holiday breakfasts, where their cheerful presence instantly brightens the morning. They also make an ideal sweet treat to savor with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. Imagine a cozy winter morning, a warm cup in hand, and a perfectly glazed eggnog muffin – it’s pure bliss! They’re also perfect for sharing with family and friends, bringing a touch of homemade warmth to any gathering.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Eggnog Muffins

Making these glazed eggnog muffins is surprisingly simple, even for novice bakers. Follow these easy steps to create a batch of perfectly moist and flavorful holiday muffins:

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisking ensures that the leavening agent and spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is crucial for uniform rise and flavor in your muffins.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients. In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the granulated sugar, eggs, eggnog, vanilla extract, and the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth. Using ingredients at room temperature will help them incorporate more easily and create a more uniform batter.

Step 3: Gently Mix Wet and Dry. Add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, stir until just combined. The key here is to avoid overmixing. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tough, dry muffins. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine, even desirable.

Step 4: Prepare the Muffin Tin. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with parchment paper muffin liners. These liners are fantastic because they prevent sticking and eliminate the need for cooking spray, making cleanup a breeze. If you don’t have parchment liners, regular paper liners or a well-greased muffin tin will also work.

Once your muffin tin is ready, distribute the batter evenly into the 12 muffin cups. Fill each cup about two-thirds full to allow for a beautiful dome-shaped top during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Bake the eggnog muffins for 17-22 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The tops should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to dry muffins.

Step 6: Glaze and Enjoy! Allow the muffins to cool completely on a wire rack before glazing. This step is essential; if the muffins are warm, the glaze will simply melt off. To prepare the eggnog glaze, combine the powdered sugar with two tablespoons of eggnog in a small bowl. Whisk until it forms a thick, smooth, and drippy icing. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more eggnog, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.

Once the muffins have thoroughly cooled, generously glaze the tops with the prepared eggnog icing. The sweet, spiced glaze not only adds a beautiful finish but truly amplifies and brings out the festive eggnog flavor of the muffins. It’s seriously delicious and transforms them into an even more irresistible treat! These muffins are a delightful way to celebrate the holiday spirit through baking.

I first created this recipe for these wonderful eggnog muffins shortly after my third son was born. During that special time, I simply couldn’t stay out of the kitchen! I was filled with a desire to bake something warm, comforting, and distinctly festive to share with my growing family. These muffins quickly became a staple, bringing joy and a sweet aroma to our home.

I encourage you to make these for your family this Christmas season. They are perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying a quiet moment of holiday indulgence. The taste of these homemade muffins is truly incomparable, creating lasting memories with every bite.

Tips for Perfect Eggnog Muffins Every Time

Achieving bakery-worthy eggnog muffins is easy with a few simple tricks:

• Don’t Overmix: This is the golden rule for tender muffins! Stir the wet and dry ingredients together only until just combined. A few lumps are fine; overmixing leads to tough muffins.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and eggnog are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify better with the melted butter, resulting in a smoother, more uniform batter and a lighter texture.
• Fill Correctly: For those beautiful, domed muffin tops, fill your muffin cups about two-thirds full.
• Use Fresh Spices: Especially for nutmeg, freshly grated makes a huge difference in flavor and aroma, adding that authentic holiday kick.
• Cool Completely Before Glazing: Patience is key here! Glazing warm muffins will cause the icing to melt and absorb, rather than forming a lovely, visible layer.

Creative Variations & Delicious Add-ins

While these eggnog muffins are perfect as they are, don’t hesitate to get creative with additions:

• Chocolate Chips: White chocolate chips complement eggnog beautifully, but milk or dark chocolate chips would also be a delicious addition.
• Cranberries: Add a festive burst of tartness with fresh or dried cranberries (rehydrated in warm water or rum, if desired).
• Nutty Topping: Create a streusel topping with chopped pecans or walnuts, a little flour, brown sugar, and butter for extra crunch and flavor.
• Boozy Kick: For an adult-friendly treat, add a teaspoon of rum extract or a tablespoon of your favorite rum or brandy to the wet ingredients.
• Dairy-Free: As mentioned, use a high-quality non-dairy eggnog for a delicious plant-based option.

Storage & Serving Suggestions

Once baked and glazed, these eggnog muffins store wonderfully:

• Storing at Room Temperature: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The glaze will set, keeping them fresh.
• Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary, if your home is very warm, or if you prefer them chilled, they can be refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
• Freezing: Eggnog muffins freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled and glazed, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the microwave.
• Serving Ideas: Beyond breakfast with coffee or tea, these muffins are fantastic for a holiday brunch spread, a festive dessert after dinner, or even as edible gifts for neighbors and friends. They also pair wonderfully with a glass of, you guessed it, more eggnog!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about making eggnog muffins:

• Can I use store-bought eggnog? Absolutely! Store-bought eggnog is perfectly fine and what this recipe is designed around.
• What if I don’t like eggnog? Will I still like these muffins? Yes, surprisingly! The flavor of eggnog mellows significantly during baking. It imparts a rich, spiced, and creamy note rather than the intense flavor you might associate with drinking it. Many eggnog skeptics love these muffins!
• Can I make these muffins ahead of time? Yes, you can! Bake the muffins a day in advance, let them cool completely, and then glaze them. Store in an airtight container.
• Why are my muffins tough or dry? The most common culprit is overmixing the batter. Remember to stir only until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. Overbaking can also lead to dryness, so keep an eye on your baking time.
• Can I add alcohol to the recipe? For a more “spirited” muffin, you can replace a tablespoon of the eggnog in the batter with rum or brandy. You could also add a splash of rum or bourbon to the glaze for an extra kick.
• How can I make these muffins extra fluffy? Ensuring your baking powder is fresh and not expired is crucial. Also, be careful not to overmix the batter.

Make your Christmas morning, or any holiday gathering, even sweeter and more memorable by baking up a fresh batch of these wonderfully yummy eggnog muffins! They are a simple joy that captures the true essence of the festive season.

4.50 from 4 votes

Eggnog Muffins

By: Joy Shull

These glazed eggnog muffins are a holiday-inspired sweet treat that your family will love! Their soft texture and festive flavor make them perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12 muffins

Save RecipeSaved!
Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients 

• ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 cup sugar
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ 1 cup eggnog
• ▢ 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ▢ 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ▢ ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ▢ ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt

For the eggnog glaze

• ▢ 2 tablespoons eggnog
• ▢ 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions 

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl, ensuring all dry ingredients are well combined for even distribution.
• In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine the sugar, eggs, eggnog, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are fine.
• Line a muffin tin with parchment paper muffin liners for easy release.
• Distribute the batter evenly into the 12 muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
• Bake the eggnog muffins at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for 17-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden.
• Once the muffins have cooled completely, prepare the glaze by whisking the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of eggnog. If your glaze is too thick, add in a splash more eggnog until it reaches a thick, drizzling consistency.
• Generously glaze the cooled muffins with the eggnog icing. Let the glaze set before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 144mg, Potassium: 75mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 264IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 80mg, Iron: 1mg

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!