Perfectly Spiced Frosted Eggnog Cookies: Your New Favorite Holiday Treat
Embrace the festive spirit with our incredible Frosted Eggnog Cookies, a holiday baking essential that captures the essence of Christmas in every bite. Crafted with classic ingredients, including rich, creamy eggnog infused directly into the dough and the luxurious buttercream frosting, these cookies are a true celebration of seasonal flavors. They strike the perfect balance between sweetness and a warm, comforting blend of spices, making them an irresistible addition to any holiday gathering, cookie exchange, or cozy evening at home.
Forget the hassle of chilling dough! This easy frosted eggnog cookie recipe is designed for convenience, requiring minimal steps and no waiting around. Perfect for busy bakers or anyone eager to enjoy fresh-baked cookies without delay, these delightful treats will quickly become a cherished tradition in your home. The soft, tender cookies are crowned with a velvety eggnog buttercream that melts in your mouth, leaving a lingering taste of holiday cheer. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these undeniably delicious Christmas cookies that promise joy in every bite.
Discover the BEST Eggnog Cookies You’ll Ever Make
When it comes to holiday baking, nothing quite compares to the rich, distinctive flavor of eggnog. And these aren’t just any eggnog cookies; they are, quite simply, the best you can make right in your own kitchen. Our recipe masterfully incorporates real eggnog into both the cookie dough and the decadent frosting, ensuring a deep, authentic flavor throughout. Each cookie is further enhanced with a thoughtful blend of ground nutmeg and cinnamon, imparting a comforting warmth and traditional spice that is synonymous with the holidays. The result is a wonderfully soft cookie texture perfectly complemented by a creamy, flavorful frosting, creating a harmonious symphony of taste that’s sure to earn rave reviews. Prepare yourself for a batch of spiced eggnog cookies that truly captures the magic of the season!
Essential Ingredients for Your Frosted Eggnog Cookies
Creating these delightful eggnog Christmas cookies starts with a selection of high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture, ensuring your cookies are nothing short of spectacular. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need for both the cookies and the luxurious eggnog frosting:
For the Soft & Spiced Eggnog Cookies, you will need:
- Butter: You will need 1 stick (1/2 cup) of softened unsalted butter. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content of the cookie, while its softened state is crucial for creaming smoothly with the sugars, creating a light and airy dough foundation.
- Sugars: A combination of 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar is used. Granulated sugar contributes to crisp edges and overall sweetness, while brown sugar adds moisture, a lovely molasses undertone, and ensures a wonderfully chewy texture.
- Egg: One large egg is essential for adding richness, binding the dough together, and providing structure. This helps prevent the cookies from crumbling and contributes to their tender crumb.
- Vanilla: 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract acts as a flavor enhancer, harmonizing all the other ingredients and adding a classic warmth to the cookies.
- Eggnog: Use ½ cup of your favorite brand of eggnog. This is the star ingredient that infuses the cookies with their distinctive holiday flavor and creamy texture.
- Flour: The base of the cookie dough is 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour. Proper measurement is key here; level off your flour for consistent results.
- Baking Soda: You will need 1 teaspoon of baking soda to help these cookies rise beautifully and achieve that desirable soft, puffy texture as they bake.
- Salt: A mere ½ teaspoon of salt is a natural flavor enhancer. It balances the sweetness and brings out the depth of the other ingredients.
- Spices: For that signature cozy warmth, use 1/4 teaspoon each of ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon. These spices are indispensable for capturing the true essence of eggnog.
For the Creamy Eggnog Buttercream Frosting, you will need:
- Butter: Use 1/4 cup of softened unsalted butter. This forms the rich, smooth foundation of your buttercream, contributing to its luscious texture and taste.
- Powdered Sugar: You will need 3 cups of powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar). This finely milled sugar is crucial for achieving a smooth, sweet, and lump-free frosting consistency.
- Eggnog: Add in 1/3 cup of your favorite eggnog. This not only makes the frosting wonderfully creamy but also amplifies that beloved eggnog flavor, tying the whole cookie experience together.
- Vanilla: Just 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract is needed to complement the eggnog and round out the frosting’s flavor profile.
- Toppings: A final flourish of 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, sprinkled over the frosted cookies, adds a beautiful festive look and an extra burst of aromatic spice.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Frosted Eggnog Cookies
Making these delightful frosted eggnog cookies is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Follow these simple steps to create a batch of holiday magic:
Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures even baking and easy cleanup.
Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air, making your cookies tender.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Introduce the egg, vanilla extract, and eggnog to the creamed mixture. Continue mixing until everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture looks soft and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisking ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the whisked flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough just begins to form. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.
Bake Your Eggnog Cookies to Perfection
- Shape and Place: Use a small cookie scoop or two spoons to drop mounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie for spreading. Take the back of a drinking cup (or a flat-bottomed glass) and gently press onto each dough mound until they are approximately 1/4 inch thick. If the cup starts to stick, lightly grease its bottom with a little cooking spray or butter. This flattening helps create a uniformly baked cookie.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; they are done when the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set but still look soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain their tender texture.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s crucial that the cookies are entirely cool before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
Whip Up the Creamy Eggnog Frosting
- Prepare Frosting: While your cookies are cooling, prepare the rich eggnog buttercream. In a clean mixing bowl with an electric mixer, combine the softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, eggnog, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until the powdered sugar is incorporated, then increase to medium-high speed and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and perfectly creamy. If the frosting is too thick, add a tiny splash more eggnog; if too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
- Frost & Garnish: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous layer of the eggnog buttercream over the top of each cookie. For a festive finish, combine the 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle this aromatic mixture lightly over the frosted cookies. Now, they are ready to be enjoyed!
FROSTED EGGNOG COOKIES
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Ingredients
Eggnog Cookies
- ½ cup butter unsalted, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup Eggnog
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Eggnog Frosting
- ¼ cup butter unsalted, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup Eggnog
- ½ tsp vanilla
Topping
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add in the egg, vanilla and eggnog. Continue to mix until well combined and a soft, creamy mixture is formed.
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In a separate mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg until well combined.
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Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
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Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop the cookies onto the baking sheet. With the back of a drinking cup, press the cookies until they are 1/4 inch thick. If the cup sticks to the cookies, grease with a little oil or butter.
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Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown around the edges. Place on a cooling rack to cool.
How to Make Eggnog Buttercream Frosting
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In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer combine the butter, powdered sugar, Eggnog and vanilla. Mix until soft frosting has formed. Frost the cooled cookies.
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Mix the nutmeg and cinnamon, sprinkle over the top of the frosted cookies.
Nutrition
Storage Tips: How Long Do Frosted Eggnog Cookies Last?
Once baked and frosted, these delicious eggnog cookies with frosting are best enjoyed fresh, ideally within a day or two for optimal flavor and texture. However, if stored properly, they can maintain their delightful taste for a few more days.
- Room Temperature: Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 to 4 days. Make sure they are in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Stacking them carefully, perhaps with a layer of parchment paper between, can help prevent the frosting from smudging.
- Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary for such a short period, refrigerating the cookies can extend their freshness slightly. Place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Can You Freeze Frosted Eggnog Cookies?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze eggnog cookies to enjoy later, which is fantastic for holiday meal prep! However, for the best results, we highly recommend freezing the cookies before they are frosted. Freezing unfrosted cookies offers several advantages:
- Easier Storage: Unfrosted cookies stack much more easily in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag, taking up less space and preventing damage to delicate frosting.
- Better Texture: Freezing frosted cookies can sometimes alter the texture of the buttercream, making it a bit watery or causing it to “sweat” as it thaws, which can detract from their appearance and taste.
- Simple Thawing & Frosting: To enjoy, simply remove the desired number of unfrosted cookies from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two. Once thawed, you can whip up a fresh batch of eggnog buttercream or use a pre-made frosting you’ve also frozen (separately). This ensures your cookies look and taste freshly baked.
If you absolutely must freeze them frosted, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until the frosting is solid (about 1-2 hours). Then, transfer them to an airtight container with layers of parchment paper between cookies. Thaw in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before serving.
Experiment with Flavored Eggnogs for Unique Twists!
While classic eggnog provides a delightful, traditional flavor, the world of eggnog has expanded to include a fascinating array of flavored varieties. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to put a unique spin on these cookies, absolutely go for it! You’ll find options like pumpkin spice, pecan pie, peppermint, or even rum-flavored eggnog in stores during the holiday season.
The key to success with flavored eggnogs is simple: choose one that you genuinely enjoy drinking on its own. If you love the taste of peppermint eggnog, it will likely translate wonderfully into a cookie! Using a flavored eggnog can add an exciting new dimension to your eggnog Christmas cookies, making them even more memorable. Don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite flavored or non-flavored eggnogs, and let us know what tasty and creative combinations you discover!
Don’t Forget to Check Out These Other Great Christmas Cookie Recipes!
- CHRISTMAS JELLO SUGAR COOKIES
- CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CUT OUT COOKIES
- CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE BARS
- STACKED CHRISTMAS TREE COOKIES
- CHRISTMAS CUT OUT COOKIES
- CHRISTMAS SPRINKLE COOKIES
- BEST CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES
- CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE
- MINT CHRISTMAS COOKIES
- BEST GINGERBREAD CUT OUT COOKIES
Life with five kids is always an adventure, and our youngest certainly keeps us on our toes! He recently wrapped up his second season of rec center flag football, where he shined as the quarterback and had an absolute blast. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious, reminding us that every day holds an opportunity for fun and joy.
These incredibly delicious frosted eggnog cookies are more than just a recipe; they are an invitation to create warm memories and new traditions in your own home. With their perfectly balanced spiced eggnog flavors nestled in every soft, chewy bite, and topped with that dreamy buttercream, these cookies are destined to become a massive hit throughout the holiday season. Get ready to bake, share, and savor the festive magic!
