If you’re searching for a festive treat that perfectly blends the warm flavors of the holiday season, look no further than this Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies Recipe. These cookies are delightfully soft with a tender crumb and infused with the nostalgic taste of eggnog, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Every bite brings a cozy warmth, reminiscent of sipping a mug of creamy eggnog by the fireplace, making them an instant holiday favorite you’ll want to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The simplicity of these ingredients is what makes the Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies Recipe truly shine. Each component plays an essential role—from the fluffy texture of all-purpose flour to the rich flavor that eggnog brings. Together, they create a cookie that’s both tender and full of classic holiday spirit.
- All-purpose flour, 2 1/2 cups (310g): The base of your cookies, providing structure and a soft crumb.
- Baking powder, 1 teaspoon: Helps the cookies rise for that perfect light texture.
- Ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon: Adds a warm, spicy note essential to the holiday flavor profile.
- Ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon: A subtle hint that enhances the eggnog’s character in the dough.
- Salt, 1/4 teaspoon: Balances the sweetness and deepens flavors.
- Unsalted butter, 3/4 cup (170g), softened: Adds richness and helps create a tender bite.
- Granulated sugar, 1 cup (200g): Sweetens while contributing to the cookie’s delightful texture.
- Eggnog, 1/2 cup (120ml): The star ingredient, infusing the dough with authentic holiday flavor.
- Large egg, 1: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon: Enhances flavor complexity and warmth.
- Powdered sugar, 2 cups (250g): For the luscious frosting that coats each cookie.
- Eggnog, 3 tablespoons (for icing): Keeps the frosting creamy and ties in the eggnog flavor beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon (for icing): Adds a lovely speckle of spice to the glaze.
- Vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon (for icing): Completes the frosting’s aromatic notes.
- Optional: Holiday sprinkles: For a festive, colorful finishing touch.
How to Make Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures an even distribution of spices and leavening agents, which is essential for the cookies to have consistent flavor and texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for that tender crumb and slight crispness on the edges. The creamed butter traps air, helping your cookies rise beautifully.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, mix in the eggnog, large egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Combine until everything is fully incorporated, bringing moisture and the rich, festive flavors that make this recipe so special.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until you get a smooth dough. Be careful not to overmix, or the cookies might turn out dense. The dough should be soft yet hold together well.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set and just beginning to turn golden. Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 6: Prepare the Eggnog Icing
While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, eggnog, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth. This glaze will add a wonderfully sweet and spiced finish that melts into every bite of your cookies.
Step 7: Ice and Decorate
Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the eggnog icing or spread it on with a knife. For an extra festive flair, sprinkle holiday sprinkles on top before the icing sets. Let the frosting harden a bit before serving to get that perfect glossy finish.
How to Serve Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of extra ground cinnamon or a few shavings of nutmeg on the iced cookies adds a rustic, aromatic touch. If you’re feeling festive, toss on some crushed peppermint candy or colored holiday sprinkles to brighten them up even more.
Side Dishes
Pairing these cookies with a hot beverage makes the experience unforgettable. Creamy eggnog itself, a spiced chai tea, or a comforting cup of hot cocoa make excellent companions, enhancing the holiday warmth the cookies already bring.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange them on a beautiful holiday-themed platter, or stack them high tied with a red velvet ribbon for gift-giving. You can also serve them alongside small bowls of whipped cream and fresh cranberries for a charming dessert spread that’s both inviting and festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This will maintain their soft texture and freshness, so they can be enjoyed throughout the festive week.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead of time, these cookies freeze beautifully. Freeze uniced cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a sealable freezer bag. When ready to use, thaw completely and ice with the eggnog frosting for the best results.
Reheating
To bring out that fresh-baked warmth, reheat the cookies in a low oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This refreshes their softness and intensifies the comforting cinnamon and eggnog flavors.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies without eggnog?
While eggnog is the star of this recipe and gives these cookies their unique flavor, you can substitute with milk mixed with a splash of vanilla and a pinch of nutmeg for a similar taste, but the authentic eggnog flavor won’t be quite the same.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make a gluten-free version, substitute with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend designed for baking and proceed as usual.
Can I use store-bought frosting instead of making the eggnog icing?
For convenience, store-bought vanilla frosting works well, but it won’t have the signature eggnog and cinnamon flavors that make this Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies Recipe truly special.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored correctly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet.
Can I add nuts or dried fruit to the dough?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or dried cranberries add a lovely texture and festive flavor, but be sure not to add too much to keep the cookies tender and balanced.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly heartwarming about making and sharing the Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies Recipe during the holiday season. These cookies bring joy, nostalgia, and festive flavor all in one bite. Don’t hesitate to whip up a batch and spread that holiday cheer—once you try them, they’ll quickly become one of your most beloved Christmas traditions.
Print
Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies combine the festive flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with creamy eggnog in a soft, tender cookie perfect for the holiday season. Topped with a smooth eggnog glaze and optional holiday sprinkles, they offer a delightful seasonal treat that’s easy to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) eggnog
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze
- 2 cups (250g) powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons eggnog
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Decoration
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, followed by the vanilla extract and eggnog, mixing until fully incorporated and the dough is smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Cool Cookies: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, eggnog, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, drizzle or spread the eggnog glaze over the tops. Decorate with holiday sprinkles if desired.
- Set Glaze: Allow the glaze to set for about 20-30 minutes before serving or storing the cookies.
Notes
- To soften butter quickly, cut it into small cubes and leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Eggnog flavor can be intensified by using a spiced or vanilla-flavored eggnog variety.
- Cookies can be stored airtight at room temperature for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute eggnog with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free butter.
- Sprinkles add festive color and texture but can be omitted for a more classic look.
