Homemade Eggnog Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Rich and creamy eggnog reinvents ordinary holiday cookies into a festive delight that captures winter’s most beloved flavor profile.

These decadent treats blend traditional cookie textures with the luxurious essence of a classic seasonal beverage.

Warm spices dance through each delectable bite, creating a sensory experience that instantly transports you to cozy gatherings and cheerful celebrations.

Soft, pillowy edges give way to a tender center that melts delightfully on your palate.

The unique combination of ingredients ensures these cookies stand out among standard holiday desserts, offering a sophisticated twist on familiar comfort foods.

Butter and sugar caramelize into a golden backdrop that perfectly complements the eggnog distinctive warmth.

You’ll find these cookies become an instant favorite at any festive gathering, promising to delight even the most discerning sweet tooth.

Double Whammy Eggnog Cookies with Holiday Cheer

• Capture Holiday Cheer: These eggnog cookies pack the festive flavor of a classic Christmas drink into a delightful, melt-in-your-mouth treat that celebrates seasonal traditions.
• Effortless Festive Baking: The simple method requires basic ingredients and minimal prep time, making these cookies perfect for busy home bakers who want to create something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Luxurious Flavor Explosion: Rich rum extract, warm nutmeg, and creamy eggnog combine to create a sophisticated cookie that delivers complex, indulgent taste in every single bite, elevating the typical holiday dessert.
• Make-Ahead Magic: With a convenient refrigeration step and ability to store in airtight containers, these cookies can be prepared in advance, reducing stress during busy holiday entertaining and allowing more time for celebration.

What to Include in These Festive Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie base, choose a fresh, fine-milled variety for smooth results.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender cookies, select high-quality butter with good fat content for best flavor.
• Brown Sugar, Confectioners' Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create soft, moist cookie texture, brown sugar provides deeper caramel notes.

• Egg Yolks: Adds richness and helps bind the cookie dough, use fresh, room-temperature eggs.
• Eggnog, Rum Extract: Provides signature holiday flavor and moisture, choose a creamy, high-quality eggnog.

• Nutmeg, Cinnamon: Delivers warm, traditional holiday spice notes, use freshly ground spices for the most intense flavor.

Baking Instructions with a Seasonal Twist

Step 1: Prepare Cookie Dough

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, eggnog, and rum extract, mixing thoroughly. Gradually incorporate flour until well combined. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill.

Step 2: Shape and Bake Cookies

Preheat oven to 325°F. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, placing them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 13-16 minutes, or until cookie bottoms turn golden brown. Transfer cookies to wire racks and let cool completely.

Step 3: Create Creamy Frosting

• Confectioners' sugar
• Butter
• Rum extract
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon

Add eggnog gradually until reaching desired frosting consistency.

Step 4: Finish and Decorate

Spread frosting evenly over cooled cookies. Sprinkle additional nutmeg on top for extra flavor. Allow frosted cookies to set at room temperature. Store in airtight containers to maintain freshness.

Tips for Eggnog Flavor That Shines

• Chill Dough Perfectly: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 2 hours to prevent spreading and enhance flavor depth during baking.
• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour and eggnog to maintain the cookie's delicate texture and rich holiday taste.
• Create Uniform Cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls using a cookie scoop or tablespoon for consistent size and even baking.
• Control Baking Temperature: Watch cookies closely at 325°F to prevent over-browning; they're done when bottoms turn golden brown.
• Frost with Finesse: Allow cookies to cool completely before spreading frosting to ensure a smooth, clean finish that adheres perfectly.

Storage Suggestions for Holiday Batches

• Refrigerate Cookies: Place completely cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
• Room Temperature Storage: For short-term enjoyment, store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Ensure the container is tightly closed to prevent moisture and preserve texture.
• Freezing Option: Wrap unfrosted cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add frosting just before serving for best taste and presentation.

What Pairs Well with Eggnog-Spiced Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Hot Cocoa: Indulge in a velvety hot chocolate that complements the rich, festive flavors of the eggnog cookies. The warm, smooth cocoa enhances the rum and nutmeg notes, creating a cozy winter treat.
• Match with Spiced Chai Latte: Elevate your cookie experience with a spiced chai that echoes the warm cinnamon and nutmeg in the cookies. The aromatic tea provides a delightful contrast to the sweet, buttery texture.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cool down the warm spices of the cookie with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The classic flavor profile creates a luxurious dessert combination that balances the cookie's richness.
• Complement with Aged Rum: For an adult twist, enjoy these cookies alongside a small glass of smooth, aged rum. The spirit's depth intensifies the cookie's rum extract and creates a sophisticated dessert pairing.

Festive Variations on the Original

• Festive Spice Splash: Replace rum extract with additional warm spices like cardamom or ginger for a more complex flavor profile that celebrates winter baking traditions.
• Chocolate Comfort Edition: Mix in dark chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the frosted cookies to create a rich, decadent version that enhances the original recipe's sweet notes.
• Nutty Crunch Celebration: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the cookie dough and sprinkle toasted nuts on top of the frosting for added texture and a delightful crunch that complements the eggnog's creamy essence.
• Maple Magic Makeover: Substitute some brown sugar with pure maple syrup and add a maple extract to the frosting, creating a cozy New England-inspired variation that brings warmth to the classic cookie recipe.

Double Whammy Eggnog Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 46 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Double Whammy Eggnog Cookies blend holiday cheer with irresistible sweetness. Creamy eggnog infuses these festive treats, delivering a merry mix of nutmeg, rum extract, and buttery goodness that will delight you during winter celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (170 grams) butter, softened
• 4–½ cups (540 grams) confectioners’ sugar

Spices and Flavoring:

• 1–½ teaspoons rum extract
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Liquid Ingredient:

• 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 milliliters) eggnog
• Additional ground nutmeg for garnish

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blend softened butter and rich brown sugar until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, achieving a pale, creamy texture.
2. Introduce egg yolks, smooth eggnog, and aromatic rum extract into the butter mixture, combining until fully incorporated and harmonious.
3. Gradually fold in flour, stirring gently to create a cohesive cookie dough without overmixing.
4. Encase the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and dough to firm up.
5. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and prepare ungreased baking sheets.
6. Delicately shape chilled dough into compact 1-inch spheres, positioning them approximately 2 inches apart to ensure even baking.
7. Bake cookies for 13-16 minutes, monitoring until the undersides develop a golden-brown hue and edges appear slightly crisp.
8. Transfer cookies to wire cooling racks, allowing them to reach complete room temperature.
9. For the decadent frosting, whip confectioners’ sugar, softened butter, rum extract, ground nutmeg, and cinnamon in a large bowl until smooth and well-blended.
10. Gradually incorporate eggnog, adjusting liquid to achieve desired frosting consistency.
11. Generously spread frosting over cooled cookies, creating an even layer.
12. Dust the frosted cookies with an additional sprinkle of fragrant nutmeg for enhanced flavor and visual appeal.
13. Allow frosted cookies to set completely at room temperature.
14. Store the finished cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and texture.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to enhance flavor and prevent spreading during baking.
• Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to ensure a smooth, even coating.
• Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and consistent texture.
• Adjust eggnog amount in frosting gradually to achieve perfect spreading consistency.
• Sprinkle extra nutmeg just before serving for a festive holiday touch.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 140 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg