Welcome to the ultimate holiday baking experience! These Eggnog Sugar Cookies are the perfect festive treat, blending the creamy, spiced flavor of eggnog into a soft, chewy sugar cookie that simply melts in your mouth. If you’re searching for a unique and incredibly delicious addition to your Christmas cookie platter, you’ve found it. This recipe is straightforward, fun to make, and guaranteed to fill your home with the warm, inviting aroma of holiday cheer. Get ready to create a new holiday tradition that family and friends will request year after year.
Why This is the Only Eggnog Sugar Cookie Recipe You’ll Ever Need
This isn’t just another cookie recipe; it’s a carefully crafted guide to achieving the perfect texture and flavor. We’ve tested every step to ensure your Eggnog Sugar Cookies come out perfectly soft and chewy every time. The dough is infused with real eggnog and a touch of nutmeg for that authentic holiday spice. To top it off, a simple yet decadent eggnog icing adds another layer of festive flavor, making these cookies truly irresistible.
Unlike other recipes that can result in dry or bland cookies, this one guarantees a moist, flavorful bite. We focus on simple techniques that make a huge difference, like the importance of chilling the dough and using the right ingredients. It’s a foolproof recipe designed for the enthusiastic home cook.
The Secret to Perfect Eggnog Sugar Cookies: Key Ingredients
The magic of these cookies lies in a few key ingredients. Using high-quality components will elevate the flavor from good to unforgettable.
For the Cookies
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookies, providing the perfect structure.
- Baking Powder: Gives the cookies a slight lift, contributing to their soft texture.
- Spices: A combination of ground nutmeg and cinnamon enhances the classic eggnog flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Use softened, room temperature butter for a creamy, easy-to-mix dough.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Egg: A large egg acts as a binder and adds richness.
- Eggnog: The star of the show! Use your favorite full-fat store-bought or homemade eggnog for the best flavor. We’ll also use this in our icing.
- Vanilla Extract: Complements the warm spices and adds depth of flavor.
For the Simple Eggnog Icing
- Powdered Sugar: Sifted to ensure a smooth, lump-free icing.
- Eggnog: Adds flavor and thins the icing to the perfect consistency.
- Ground Nutmeg: A pinch on top is the perfect finishing touch.
How to Make Eggnog Sugar Cookies Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious holiday cookies. We’ve broken down the process to make it as easy as possible.
Making the Cookie Dough
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Set this aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl using a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, eggnog, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix on medium speed until everything is well combined. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry: With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Chilling the Dough (and Why It’s Crucial)
This is a step you cannot skip! Chilling the dough solidifies the fat (butter) in the cookies. When the cold dough hits the hot oven, the fat melts much slower, preventing the cookies from spreading too much. This results in thicker, chewier cookies. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
Baking the Cookies
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop and Roll: Scoop the chilled dough using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop. Roll each portion into a smooth ball. For an extra festive touch, you can roll the balls in a mixture of sugar and nutmeg before placing them on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still look soft and slightly underbaked.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s important they are fully cooled before you add the icing. Why not try our delicious peppermint patties while you wait?
Making the Eggnog Icing
While the cookies cool, prepare the icing. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of eggnog until smooth. If the icing is too thick, add more eggnog, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency.
Decorating Your Cookies
Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the eggnog icing over them. Before the icing sets, sprinkle a little extra ground nutmeg or festive sprinkles on top. Let the icing set completely before storing.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the flour in until it’s just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten, which can make your cookies tough instead of soft.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate smoothly, creating a uniform dough.
- Chill Thoroughly: We can’t stress this enough! Chilling the dough is essential for preventing flat, spread-out cookies. An hour is the minimum, but two hours is even better.
- Cool Completely Before Icing: If you ice warm cookies, the icing will melt and run off. Patience is key for a beautiful presentation. For another fantastic holiday treat, check out this recipe for mouthwatering pecan pie bars.
Fun Variations to Try
While this Eggnog Sugar Cookies recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to get creative! Here are a few ideas:
- Add White Chocolate: Mix in a cup of white chocolate chips into the dough for an extra decadent touch.
- Make Cutout Cookies: For a cutout version, add an extra 1/4 cup of flour to the dough and chill for at least 2 hours. Roll it out, cut your shapes, and bake.
- Spiked Eggnog Icing: For an adult twist, add a teaspoon of rum or brandy to the icing.
Storing Your Eggnog Sugar Cookies
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the baked, unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them at room temperature before frosting and serving. This is a great way to get a head start on holiday baking!
If you loved these, you might also enjoy a festive creamy eggnog milkshake (coming soon) to go with them!
Frequently Asked Questions
Certainly! For an adult-friendly version, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of rum, brandy, or bourbon to the icing. It will complement the eggnog flavor beautifully.
Yes, you can! For cutout cookies, simply add an extra 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour to the dough to make it a bit firmer. Chill the dough for at least two hours before rolling it out on a floured surface and cutting your desired shapes.
Absolutely! This recipe works perfectly with your favorite store-bought, full-fat eggnog. It’s a great way to save time while still getting that classic festive flavor.
Yes, this is a crucial step! Chilling the dough for at least one hour prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. This ensures they will be thick, soft, and chewy rather than thin and crispy.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to make them ahead, you can freeze the unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Just thaw them before icing.
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this Eggnog Sugar Cookies recipe! It’s the perfect treat to share with loved ones during the holidays. If you make them, please leave a comment below and let us know how they turned out. We love hearing from you! For more delicious recipes and holiday inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
Eggnog Sugar Cookies Recipe
Eggnog Sugar Cookies: The Best Soft & Chewy Holiday Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, eggnog, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough by 1.5-tablespoon portions and roll into balls. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 11-13 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will still appear soft.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of eggnog until smooth. Add more eggnog by the teaspoon if needed to reach a drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle the icing over the completely cooled cookies and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of ground nutmeg.
Notes
Ensure your cookies are completely cool before icing, otherwise the icing will melt and become transparent.
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
