Spiced Eggnog Muffins

These Spiced Eggnog Muffins are soft, fluffy and filled with the warm flavors of eggnog, vanilla and nutmeg. Finished with a buttery nutmeg streusel topping, they make the perfect festive breakfast or sweet treat to enjoy with a hot cup of coffee during the holiday season!

There is just something so cozy about baking with eggnog during the holidays! These Spiced Eggnog Muffins have a tender, moist center, plenty of warm nutmeg flavor and the most delicious crumbly streusel topping.

They’re also made with a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat pastry flour, giving you that soft bakery-style texture with a little whole-grain goodness. Serve them for Christmas morning, add them to a holiday brunch spread or enjoy one as an afternoon treat with coffee or hot cocoa.

Why You’ll Love These

• Festive holiday flavor – eggnog, vanilla and nutmeg give these muffins the coziest Christmas flavor.
• Soft and fluffy – using both all-purpose and whole wheat pastry flour keeps the muffins light and tender.
• Buttery streusel topping – every muffin is topped with sweet, crumbly nutmeg streusel.
• Easy to make – the batter comes together quickly using just two mixing bowls.
• Perfect for entertaining – these muffins are a delicious addition to Christmas breakfast, holiday brunch or a cookie exchange.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• whole wheat pastry flour – adds whole grains while still keeping the muffins tender. Regular whole wheat flour will make them denser, so I recommend sticking with whole wheat pastry flour.
• all-purpose flour – helps give the muffins a soft, light texture.
• cane sugar – sweetens the muffins without overpowering the flavor of the eggnog and spices.
• baking powder – helps the muffins rise as they bake.
• nutmeg – the signature spice in eggnog and what gives these muffins their warm holiday flavor. Freshly grated nutmeg is especially delicious if you have it.
• butter – adds richness and moisture. Melt the butter and allow it to cool slightly before mixing it with the other wet ingredients.
• egg – provides structure and helps hold the muffins together. For the best results, let it come to room temperature before baking.
• eggnog – the star of this recipe! It adds moisture, sweetness and that classic creamy holiday flavor and you can easily grab a carton from the grocery store.
• vanilla extract – compliments the eggnog and warm spices.
• salt – balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.

The Nutmeg Streusel Topping

The buttery streusel is what makes these eggnog muffins extra special! It’s made with a simple combination of whole wheat pastry flour, cane sugar, nutmeg and melted butter.

Mix everything together until small, pea-size crumbles form, then sprinkle the streusel evenly over the muffin batter before baking. You’ll get a lightly crisp, sweet topping that pairs perfectly with the tender muffins.

How to Make Spiced Eggnog Muffins

1. Prepare the muffin pan. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or generously coat it with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, cane sugar, baking powder, nutmeg and salt.
3. Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted and cooled butter, lightly beaten egg, eggnog and vanilla extract.
4. Make the batter. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and gently stir with a rubber spatula just until everything is moistened. The batter may still look slightly lumpy, and that’s okay. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Prepare the streusel. Combine the flour, cane sugar and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter and mix with a fork or your fingers until pea-size crumbles form.
6. Fill the muffin cups. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups, then generously top muffins with the nutmeg streusel mixture over each one.
7. Bake. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and enjoy. Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm or let them cool completely before storing.

Tips for the Best Eggnog Muffins

• Don’t overmix the batter – stir the wet and dry ingredients together just until combined. Overmixing can result in dense or tough muffins.
• Cool the melted butter – if the butter is too hot, it could begin cooking the egg when the ingredients are mixed.
• Use room-temperature ingredients – a room-temperature egg and eggnog will blend more evenly with the melted butter.
• Measure the flour correctly – spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it with a knife. Scooping directly from the bag can pack in too much flour and make the muffins dry.
• Use freshly grated nutmeg – ground nutmeg works perfectly well, but freshly grated nutmeg will give you an even more fragrant, pronounced flavor.
• Check the muffins early – every oven bakes a little differently, so begin checking them around the 18-minute mark.
• Let them cool before storing – storing the muffins while they are still warm can create condensation and make the streusel topping soggy.

Variations and Substitutions

• Add cinnamon – mix ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the muffin batter for even more warm spice.
• Add a glaze – drizzle the cooled muffins with a simple eggnog glaze made from powdered sugar and a small amount of eggnog.
• Add chopped nuts – sprinkle finely chopped pecans or walnuts over the streusel before baking.
• Make mini muffins – divide the batter among mini muffin cups and begin checking them after about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Use plant-based eggnog – dairy-free eggnog may be substituted, although the flavor and consistency can vary depending on the brand.
• Skip the streusel – the muffins can be baked without the topping if you prefer something a little less sweet.

What to Serve with Eggnog Muffins

These spiced eggnog muffins are perfect for Christmas morning, holiday brunch or a cozy winter breakfast. Here are a few delicious ways to serve them:

• Coffee or tea – a hot cup of coffee, chai or your favorite tea pairs perfectly with the warm nutmeg and eggnog flavors.
• Hot cocoa – especially fun if you’re serving these on Christmas morning!
• Fresh fruit – serve with fresh berries, sliced oranges, grapes or a simple fruit salad for something light and refreshing.
• Eggs or a frittata – pair the muffins with scrambled eggs, an egg casserole or vegetable frittata for a more filling breakfast.
• Greek yogurt – add Greek yogurt and fresh fruit for an easy, protein-packed breakfast.
• Holiday brunch favorites – serve these alongside mini quiches, my Christmas morning breakfast casserole, baked oatmeal or other breakfast pastries for a festive brunch spread.

Prepping and Storage

To Store: Keep the cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.

To Freeze: Place the cooled muffins in a freezer-safe container or storage bag and freeze for up to 3 months. I recommend placing parchment paper between layers so the streusel doesn’t stick.

To Reheat: Thaw frozen muffins overnight in the refrigerator or let them sit at room temperature. Warm an individual muffin in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Holiday Breakfast Recipes

• Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole
• Baked Apple Cider Donuts
• Overnight French Toast Casserole
• Sausage and Veggie Egg Casserole
• Gingerbread Apple Pancakes
• Cranberry Maple Cinnamon Rolls
• Blueberry Lemon Bread Pudding

More Healthy Muffin Recipes

• Banana Breakfast Muffins
• Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
• Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins
• Healthy Banana Bran Muffins
• Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins
• Chocolate Chip Zucchini Banana Muffins

Hope you all enjoy these Spiced Eggnog Muffins recipe! If you love these muffins as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!