Festive Eggnog Cookies Recipe: Holiday Magic in Every Bite

Delightful holiday cheer comes alive in these soft, magical eggnog cookies that melt right into your festive spirit.

Creamy seasonal spices dance through each buttery bite, creating pure winter happiness.

Rich vanilla and nutmeg whisper nostalgic memories of cozy gatherings.

Delicate and tender, these treats capture everything wonderful about classic holiday desserts.

Baking becomes an intimate celebration of warmth and comfort.

Sweet aromas will fill your kitchen with cheerful anticipation.

You won’t be able to resist these irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth delights that promise to become your new seasonal tradition.

What’s Cozy About Eggnog Cookies

• Whip Up Holiday Cheer: These eggnog cookies capture the festive spirit with classic seasonal spices that dance on your taste buds.
• Effortless Baking Adventure: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires simple ingredients and basic mixing techniques anyone can master.
• Quick Family Delight: Minimal preparation time means you can create delicious treats without spending hours in the kitchen, making it ideal for busy households.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Guaranteed to impress at holiday gatherings, potlucks, and cookie exchanges with its rich, warming flavor profile.

Eggnog Cookies Ingredient Breakdown

• Flour: The base for a soft and tender cookie texture.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creamy consistency.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
• Eggnog: Gives signature holiday flavor and moisture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves: Classic warm holiday spices that complement eggnog flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances sweetness.

• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become light.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie flavor.
• Additional Sugar: For rolling and creating a sweet, sparkling exterior.

Eggnog Cookies Baking Guide

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground ginger
• Ground cloves
• Salt

Whisk these together until perfectly blended.

Step 3: Create Creamy Cookie Base

In a large mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar until they become light and airy. The mixture should look fluffy and smooth. Crack in an egg and splash of vanilla extract, then beat until everything is completely combined.

Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredients

Pour in the eggnog and mix thoroughly. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture, stirring gently until a soft cookie dough forms. Don’t overmix – you want a delicate texture.

Step 5: Shape Delightful Cookies

Roll small portions of dough into round balls. Roll each ball in extra sugar to create a sparkly, sweet exterior. Place these sugary spheres on your prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. The cookies will look slightly soft but will firm up as they cool.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for a few minutes. This helps them set and become more stable. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these festive treats with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee!

Notes That Help with Eggnog Cookies

• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a splash of rum or bourbon extract to intensify the traditional eggnog taste in the cookies.
• Prevent Dry Texture: Don't overmix the dough to keep cookies soft and tender, mixing just until ingredients are combined.
• Create Perfect Shape: Use a cookie scoop for uniform-sized cookies that bake evenly and look professionally made.
• Enhance Spice Profile: Freshly grate nutmeg instead of using pre-ground for a more vibrant and aromatic spice experience.
• Master Cooling Technique: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to maintain their delicate structure.

Eggnog Cookies: Save Them For Another Day

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies on a baking sheet at 275°F for 3-5 minutes to restore slightly crisp edges and soft center.
• Heat cookies for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Check to avoid overheating, which can make them tough.

Eggnog Cookies Go Great With

• Spice Up with Mulled Wine: Pair these cozy eggnog cookies with a warm, spiced mulled wine that echoes the cookie's holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a luxurious winter beverage experience.
• Creamy Companion Coffee: Serve alongside a rich, creamy latte or cappuccino where the smooth milk perfectly complements the eggnog cookie's soft texture and warm spice profile.
• Enhance with Bourbon Cream: Match these cookies with a small glass of bourbon cream liqueur that amplifies the rich, festive flavors and adds a delightful adult twist to the dessert moment.
• Complement with Vanilla Chai: Brew a smooth vanilla chai tea that mirrors the cookie's warm spice notes and provides a comforting, aromatic beverage pairing that feels like a warm holiday hug.

Eggnog Cookie Flavor Swaps

• Vegan Eggnog Delight: Replace dairy butter with coconut oil, use plant-based eggnog, and swap eggs with flax eggs for a cruelty-free cookie experience.
• Gluten-Free Holiday Treat: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly cookies.
• Rum-Infused Winter Cookie: Add a splash of dark rum or rum extract to the dough for an adult version with deeper, richer flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Holiday Option: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener and reduce sugar quantity to create a diabetic-friendly cookie variation.

FAQs

• Can I make these cookies without eggnog?

Yes, you can substitute eggnog with milk or cream, but the distinctive holiday flavor will be less intense.

• Is it necessary to use all the spices mentioned?

The spices create the signature eggnog taste, but you can reduce or omit one or two if you don’t have them on hand.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for light golden edges and a slightly soft center. They’ll continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter is recommended for the best flavor and texture. Margarine might change the cookie’s consistency and taste.

Eggnog Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 31 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet holiday magic happens when classic eggnog meets cookie perfection in these festive eggnog cookies. Creamy spices and rich flavor blend seamlessly, offering merry bites that invite seasonal cheer and warm memories for everyone who enjoys a delightful Christmas treat.

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Ingredients

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Cookies Base Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (325g) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cups (168g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (207g) sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup (60ml) eggnog

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 tablespoons sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Craft a fragrant dry ingredient mixture by whisking together flour, baking soda, and warm spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, with a pinch of salt to enhance flavor complexity.
3. Create a rich, creamy base by thoroughly blending softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, then incorporate a fresh egg and vanilla extract to develop depth.
4. Introduce the signature eggnog element by gently folding the liquid into the butter mixture, ensuring smooth integration.
5. Gradually fold the spiced dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to create a cohesive, velvety cookie dough without overmixing.
6. Shape the dough into uniform tablespoon-sized spheres, rolling each generously in additional sugar to create a sparkling, crisp exterior.
7. Carefully arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, allowing sufficient spacing for even expansion during baking.
8. Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching for a golden transformation that signals perfect doneness and aromatic spice release.
9. Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet to stabilize, then transfer to a cooling rack to complete the final texture setting.

Notes

• Swap dairy eggnog with non-dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk eggnog for a lactose-free version that keeps the festive flavor intact.
• Reduce sugar content by using a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-calorie cookie option that still tastes delightful.
• Add a festive touch by sprinkling crushed nutmeg or cinnamon on top of the cookies right after baking to enhance the traditional eggnog aroma and appearance.
• Experiment with gluten-free flour blends to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities while maintaining a soft, tender texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 162
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 72 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg