Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe

If you love the cozy, spicy holiday flavors of eggnog but want something a little more fun to snack on, you’re going to absolutely adore this Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe. I love this recipe because it turns the classic drink into soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies layered with a sweet, creamy icing that brings it all together perfectly. When I first tried this, I was amazed by how the warm spices and rich eggnog flavor carried through every bite—it’s like Christmas itself got baked into a cookie. Keep reading because I’m sharing every single tip to make sure your batch comes out just right and every crumb is pure joy.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are thoughtfully combined to capture the essence of eggnog in cookie form. The spices are just right to complement but not overpower, and the eggnog itself adds richness without making the dough too wet. Using softened butter and separate egg yolks really helps keep the texture velvety and soft.

• All-purpose flour: The base for the cookies; make sure to measure properly by spooning and leveling to avoid dense cookies.
• Baking powder: Gives the cookies a nice lift and cakey softness.
• Ground nutmeg: Key spice to echo classic eggnog flavor—freshly grated nutmeg is a game changer if you have it.
• Ground cinnamon: Warms up the spice profile without being overpowering.
• Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors.
• Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a toasty depth—lightly packed for the perfect balance.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with texture.
• Unsalted butter: Softened for creaminess; I always leave mine out ahead of time for easier mixing.
• Eggnog: The hero ingredient—choose a good quality store-bought or homemade for the best flavor.
• Egg yolks: Add richness and help bind everything without extra liquid from whites.
• Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon to round out all those warm flavors.
• Butter for icing: At room temp so it whips up smooth.
• Powdered sugar: Sifted to keep the icing silky.
• Eggnog for icing: Adds flavor and just the right softness to the glaze.
• Sparkling sugar or extra nutmeg: Optional for that festive sparkle on top.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe is how flexible it is for your personal taste or dietary needs. I’ve played around with a few twists over the years, and it’s fun to make it your own.

• Spiced up: I once stirred in some ground clove or allspice for even deeper holiday vibes—totally worth it when you want an extra cozy cookie.
• Dairy-free: Swap the butter and eggnog for your favorite plant-based butter and almond or oat milk eggnog alternative; the texture changes a bit but still delicious!
• Chocolate chip eggnog cookies: Adding white chocolate chips gives a lovely sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spices.
• Gluten-free option: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend; just watch the dough because it might need a tad more eggnog if it feels dry.

How to Make Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe

Step 1: Mix your dry ingredients with care

Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. I always make sure to give the spices a good mix here so their flavor distributes evenly throughout the dough. Having the flour mixture ready and sifted a bit really helps keep the batter crumbly and consistent when you add the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both sugars using an electric mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. This step is so important—take your time! I learned the hard way that rushing here leads to denser cookies, but when you get it light and fluffy, you’ll see the difference in texture after baking. Then add your eggnog, egg yolks, and vanilla extract; mix until smooth and combined. Keep that mixer speed moderate, you don’t want to overwork the batter yet.

Step 3: Slowly add in dry ingredients

Turn the mixer to low and gradually beat in the flour mixture. This prevents flour from flying everywhere and helps keep the dough tender. Stop mixing as soon as everything is combined—over-mixing is a common mistake that can lead to tougher cookies.

Step 4: Chill the dough for at least 1 hour

This chilling step lets the dough firm up and flavors meld. Trust me, I used to skip this and the cookies spread too much or lost that punch of eggnog flavor. Cover your dough tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. You can even chill overnight if your schedule allows—it only makes the flavors richer.

Step 5: Bake low and slow

Preheat your oven to 300°F and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Using a medium cookie scoop, portion the dough about 2 inches apart onto your sheets. The lower temperature baking keeps the cookies soft and prevents over-browning. Bake them for about 20-25 minutes, or until you notice the edges gently turning golden. Pull them out, let cool briefly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Prepare and spread the icing

With the cookies totally cooled, it’s time for the best part—the icing! Beat together the room-temperature butter, sifted powdered sugar, and eggnog on low at first, then crank it up to high for 2-3 minutes until it’s creamy and fluffy. Spread it generously over the cookies, then sprinkle with sparkling sugar or a little extra nutmeg if you want to dress them up. This is when those cookies truly transform from delightful to downright irresistible.

How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe

Garnishes

I genuinely love sprinkling a bit of sparkling coarse sugar on top of the icing for a festive shimmer—it reminds me of snowflakes and brings a nice texture contrast. Sometimes, I dust a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg or cinnamon on top for those who prefer a bolder spice kick. Both look gorgeous and taste even better!

Side Dishes

These eggnog cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of chai tea, mulled cider, or even a classic cup of hot cocoa. I often serve them alongside a cheese board during holiday gatherings—the contrast between creamy cheeses and sweet cookies is surprisingly delightful and crowd-pleasing.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange these cookies stacked on a rustic wooden platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary and mini pine cones for that winter wonderland vibe. You can also package them in clear cellophane bags tied with twine and a sprightly cinnamon stick as a charming homemade gift that everyone raves about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookies keep best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator—layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick. I find they stay fresh and soft for up to 3 days this way, perfect for enjoying a little holiday treat all week long.

Freezing

If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, both the unbaked dough and the baked cookies freeze beautifully. I portion the dough into balls, freeze on a sheet tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I bake them directly from frozen with a couple extra minutes added. Icing is best made fresh, but you can freeze iced cookies in a single layer—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If your cookies lose a bit of softness in the fridge or freezer, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave brightens them right up. I usually do this just before serving to get that fresh-baked warmth that makes these cookies irresistible.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites every holiday season. I love how it brings all those nostalgic eggnog flavors into a cookie that’s soft, sweet, and just a little bit decadent thanks to the icing. Whenever I make these, friends and family always go crazy for them, and I’m always asked for the recipe. I hope you enjoy baking and savoring these as much as I do—really, just think of it as a festive hug in cookie form. Grab your ingredients, follow my tips, and treat yourself to something special!

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