Holiday Spiced Eggnog Muffins with Nutmeg and Cinnamon

“Merry Christmas! Shitter was full.”

Whenever I think of the holidays I think of eggnog, and eggnog always brings to mind National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Griswolds, moose-shaped cups and that unforgettable moment with Cousin Eddie. That movie is a holiday tradition here, and every Christmas Eve my brothers and I watch it while enjoying spiked eggnog. It wouldn’t feel like the season without that ritual.

Spiced Eggnog Muffins

I discovered this Spiced Eggnog Muffins recipe through the Better Homes & Gardens app and immediately fell in love with it. I usually keep eggnog on hand during the holidays, and these muffins are a perfect seasonal treat—moist, warmly spiced with nutmeg, and finished with a buttery streusel topping. I used eggnog that already contained rum, but you can use plain eggnog and add a touch of rum extract for that same warm flavor.

Muffin close-up

One adjustment I’ll make next time is to fill the muffin cups a little higher. I’m used to cupcakes that rise and dome, so I initially filled these only two-thirds full and they didn’t produce the muffin-tops I prefer. Filling the cups closer to the top will give a more attractive, slightly domed top and a bit more golden crust.

These muffins turned out wonderfully moist. The nutmeg in both the batter and the streusel gives a classic holiday flavor, and the crumble topping adds texture. I tried to lighten the recipe a bit by using reduced-fat butter in the crumble, but for a richer streusel you may want to use the full amount of butter called for. Enjoy these for a festive breakfast, a cozy brunch, or a sweet holiday dessert.

Muffins on a rack

Spiced Eggnog Muffins

Recipe adapted from Better Homes & Gardens

Yield: 24 muffins

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Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Splenda sugar blend (or 1 cup granulated sugar)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup eggnog (with rum or non-alcoholic; see note)
  • 1/2 cup light butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • If using non-alcoholic eggnog, add 1/2 tsp rum extract if desired.

Nutmeg-Streusel Topping

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 8 tsp Splenda sugar blend (or 1/3 cup granulated sugar)
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 Tbsp light butter (for a richer crumble use slightly more)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Grease two muffin tins or line with paper baking cups and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and nutmeg. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the beaten eggs, eggnog, melted butter, and vanilla (add rum extract here if using non-alcoholic eggnog). Pour the wet mixture into the well in the dry ingredients and stir gently just until moistened. The batter should be slightly lumpy—do not overmix.
  4. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each cup a little over two-thirds full (for taller muffin tops, fill closer to the top). Prepare the nutmeg-streusel by mixing the flour, sugar, nutmeg and butter until crumbly, then sprinkle evenly over each muffin.
  5. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then remove and serve warm.

Notes & Tips

Serving size: 1 muffin. Approximate nutrition per muffin: Calories 240 • Fat 8 g • Carbs 33 g • Fiber 1 g • Protein 5 g • WW Points+ 6 pts.

Storage: Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze wrapped muffins for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature.

Substitutions & variations: Use regular sugar in place of the Splenda blend if preferred. For a boozy version, add a tablespoon of rum to the batter if your eggnog is non-alcoholic. You can also sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar on top before serving for extra sweetness.

Serving suggestions: These muffins pair beautifully with coffee, tea, or a small glass of eggnog. They make a cozy holiday breakfast, an easy hostess gift when wrapped in a festive box, or a seasonal addition to a brunch spread.

If you make this recipe, consider sharing a photo—it’s always fun to see how yours turned out.

Measuring spoons

Yes, you might spot the photographer in a reflection here—still working on hiding while shooting food photos. No shame in cozy Sunday morning sweats and a messy bun when baking for the holidays.

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