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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
- 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.
- 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.
- Introduce the signature eggnog element by gently folding the liquid into the butter mixture, ensuring smooth integration.
- Gradually fold the spiced dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to create a cohesive, velvety cookie dough without overmixing.
- Shape the dough into uniform tablespoon-sized spheres, rolling each generously in additional sugar to create a sparkling, crisp exterior.
- Carefully arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, allowing sufficient spacing for even expansion during baking.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching for a golden transformation that signals perfect doneness and aromatic spice release.
- 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