A small batch recipe for Eggnog Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting feature soft and moist cupcakes with holiday eggnog and spice. The cupcakes are made with eggnog, nutmeg, and topped with a warm and cozy toasted marshmallow meringue frosting. A delightful dessert for the holidays!
Eggnog Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting
Is it really Christmas without eggnog? I suppose it is, but for those of us that actually enjoy the flavor of the holiday beverage, this recipe is for us! And if you are not a fan of eggnog – well, you probably aren’t reading this anyway …
These eggnog cupcakes with toasted marshmallow frosting celebrate all the flavors of eggnog and deliver it in a cute little cupcake package. And a great thing about baking with eggnog – aside from the cozy holiday flavor – we get extra moisture and texture into the cupcakes. Just think about it – eggnog is made with egg yolks, and egg yolks add delicious texture and flavor to baked goods.
But do the eggnog cupcakes really taste like eggnog? My answer is yes. Plus, they have so many other great features:
- Easy – Another benefit of a small batch cupcake recipe, and the fact that you only need a few ingredients to make the cupcakes. And during the holidays, chances are you may already have some eggnog in the refrigerator!
- Moist – With an egg yolk and the texture and ingredients in eggnog (more egg yolks), it is only natural that these cupcakes are moist!
- Loaded with Holiday Flavor – The eggnog adds a buttery warmth and flavor to the cupcakes. And to boost the eggnog spice, we add a little extra nutmeg. Rounding out the cozy holiday flavors is a the toasted marshmallow.
Small Batch Holiday Cupcakes
This is a small batch recipe for 4 Eggnog Cupcakes that are moist, tender, and delightfully topped with a homemade marshmallow meringue frosting. The base of the cupcake is similar to the classic vanilla cupcakes, and the addition of eggnog and nutmeg spice make this recipe fitting for Christmas!
And what’s especially great about small batch cupcakes is you can serve a variety of desserts! As you plan your holiday dessert table, these eggnog cupcakes would be charming sitting next to a batch of gluten free spice cupcakes, pumpkin cupcakes, and even the stunning vanilla orange gingerbread cake. Add a station for homemade gingerbread lattes and your guests will never leave!
What You Need To Make Eggnog Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- Eggnog – Let’s keep it easy and use store bought eggnog!
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Ground Nutmeg – The nutmeg drives home the flavor of the eggnog.
- Salt – The salt is needed to balance the sweetness and make the flavors in the cupcakes shine!
- Unsalted Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- Vanilla – For a delicious and warm vanilla flavor, you could try vanilla bean paste. One of my new favorite ingredients – especially for cakes and cupcakes. Although vanilla extract will work just fine.
- Egg Yolk – The egg white will get used in the Marshmallow Frosting!
Frosting
- Egg White – A benefit of a 1 egg yolk recipe is you can use the egg white to make the Marshmallow Frosting!
- Granulated Sugar
- Cream of Tartar – The cream of tartar helps to stabilize the egg white so it whips up nice and fluffy!
- Light Corn Syrup – I like to add a little corn syrup in the frosting to make it shiny.
- Vanilla
- Water
Baking Equipment
- Muffin/Cupcake Pan with Cupcake Liners
- Mixing Bowls
- Cookie Scoop – Optional, but very helpful to get the batter portioned evenly into the cupcake liners.
- Small Kitchen Torch – This is the little kitchen torch I use. It has come in handy for toasting marshmallows. I also use it in the Toasty S’mores Truffles recipe!
Tips For Making Eggnog Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow
- Use store bought eggnog – It is so much easier than making homemade! And I recommend any brand you like to drink.
- Separate the egg while it is cold – We are using the egg yolk in the cupcakes, and the egg white in the frosting. It is much easier to separate the egg when it is cold.
- Bring the refrigerated ingredients to room temperature – This includes the egg yolk, the eggnog, and the butter.
- Make sure the egg white is room temperature when making the frosting – Since it is going over heat to make the frosting, it is better to start it at a warmer temperature.
- Don’t skip the nutmeg – I find that store bought eggnog goes a little easy on the nutmeg. Adding our own amplifies the eggnog flavor in the cupcakes.
- Don’t overmix the batter – Mixing the batter too much will cause too much gluten development, which will result in tough and chewy cupcakes. A few lumps in the batter are ok.
- Use a cookie scoop to portion the batter – Not a must but it sure makes portioning and getting the batter into the liners so much easier!
- A few crumbs on the toothpick are ok – These cupcakes are moist, and a few crumbs left on the toothpick when you test if they’re done is ok.
- Be careful when toasting the Marshmallow Frosting – Set one cupcake at a time on a baking sheet and be careful not to torch the cupcake liner! I speak from experience …
Common Questions For Making Eggnog Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow
I have not tested it, but I think it would be ok. I would still use 2 egg yolks (instead of 1 whole egg) because the egg yolk adds the soft texture to the cupcakes.
I have not tested the recipe with 1:1 gluten free flour. But if you are looking for gluten free cupcakes, try the gluten free vanilla cupcakes or gluten free chocolate cupcakes. These cupcakes can easily be paired with holiday flavors.
Great question! I’m not a fan of rum, but you could certainly add a little rum extract to the cupcake batter. You probably want to start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon and add more to taste.
I recommend it if you want to highlight the flavor of the eggnog. It helps to amp up the eggnog flavor.
I think it is, especially in baked goods where the base flavor is vanilla. The vanilla bean paste adds a truer vanilla flavor and warmth.
You can certainly try a different frosting recipe on the blog – like the Butter Free Vanilla Frosting, Butter Free Caramel Frosting, or even a lighter Whipped Coconut Cream.
Unfortunately, I don’t think so. However, you don’t have to toast the frosting – it will still be delicious!
First, be careful. I recommend toasting one cupcake at a time. Set the cupcake on an aluminum (or something more heat-proof than your countertop), and gently torch the frosting. Exercise caution when you get towards the bottom – you don’t want to burn the cupcake liner!
Eggnog Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow
Equipment
- 1 – Muffin/Cupcake Pan
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature (reserve the egg white for the frosting)
- 1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon eggnog, room temperature (room temperature)
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 325F degrees and adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Line a cupcake pan with 4 cupcake liners.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the sugar and butter. Using a hand held mixer on medium-low speed, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy and the sugar is moistened by the butter. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Continue to beat on medium-low speed until the mixture is light and creamy. Note – Reserve the egg white for the Marshmallow Meringue Frosting!
- Sprinkle half of the dry ingredients over the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed until just combined. Pour in the eggnog and continue mixing until just incorporated. Add the remaining dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Do not overmix the batter. It is ok if there are a few lumps.
- Pour equal amounts of batter into the prepared cupcake liners. Tip – Use a small cookie scoop to help with portioning and less mess!
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean – a few crumbs are ok. Cool in the muffin pan set on a wire cooling rack for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cupcakes to the wire rack to cool completely.
Toasted Marshmallow Frosting
- Prepare the Marshmallow Meringue Frosting per the recipe.
- Dollop or pipe the Marshmallow Meringue on top of the cooled cupcakes. Using a hand held small kitchen torch, gently torch the marshmallow to your desired toastiness. Recommend method for toasting the frosting – Toast one cupcake at a time, set the cupcake on an aluminum (or something that is more heat resistant than your countertop), and gently go around the frosting with the torch. Use caution when torching towards the bottom so you don't torch the cupcake liners. Note – It is not necessary to toast the meringue, and you can simply dollop the frosting on top of the cupcakes.
RECIPE NOTES
- Vanilla – For a rich and pure vanilla flavor, vanilla bean paste is delicious in these cupcakes.
about the author ...
I'm Erin and I'm all about desserts - and a little bit of butter!
I've tested, written, and photographed hundreds of recipes on my website. Here you'll find the tastiest small batch gluten free and traditional desserts - all homemade, all simple, and all for you!
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