Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe

There’s something incredibly cozy about festive flavors in cookie form, and this Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe is one of my absolute favorites to bake when the holidays roll around. These cookies are tender, warmly spiced, and dipped in a smooth, luscious eggnog icing that just melts in your mouth. I love this recipe because it perfectly balances that nostalgic eggnog flavor without being overly sweet, and the icing adds a delightful touch of indulgence. Stick around — I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make these a star in your cookie lineup.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe relies on a few key ingredients that blend beautifully to give you both that classic spice profile and rich, creamy undertones. Don’t skip on the nutmeg; fresh ground adds so much depth!

• All-purpose flour: Provides the right structure for soft, tender cookies; be sure to spoon and level it for accurate measuring.
• Baking powder: Helps them rise gently, keeping the texture light.
• Ground nutmeg: The star spice here, essential for authentic eggnog flavor—freshly grated is best.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and complements the nutmeg perfectly.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramelized note; lightly packed is key to avoid overly dense dough.
• Granulated sugar: Adds crispness and balances the brown sugar’s moistness.
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature to whip up perfectly light cookie dough and creamy icing.
• Eggnog: The liquid that infuses the cookie dough and icing with holiday cheer—use your favorite brand or homemade.
• Egg yolks: Gives richness and helps tenderize the dough.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and smooths out the spices.
• Powdered sugar: Sifted for the icing to keep it smooth and easy to spread.
• Sparkling sugar or extra nutmeg: Optional toppings that add texture and a festive sparkle to your finished cookies.

Variations

I love tweaking this Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand — and honestly, it still turns out great! You should definitely feel free to make it your own; that’s part of the fun with cookies, right?

• Spiced Rum or Bourbon: Adding a tablespoon of spiced rum to the dough (reducing eggnog by the same amount) amps up that classic eggnog vibe. I tried this at a holiday party once, and everyone asked what my secret ingredient was.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: I swapped in a gluten-free blend once for a friend, and with a touch more chilling time, the cookies were just as tender — perfect for dietary needs.
• Nutmeg Topping Only: If you prefer, just sprinkle the cookies with nutmeg before baking instead of icing — less sweet but still packed with flavor.
• Chocolate Drizzle: For a twist, melt some dark chocolate and drizzle over the iced cookies. It’s a quick upgrade that everyone loves.

How to Make Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe

Step 1: Whisk and Prep Your Dry Ingredients

Start by grabbing a medium bowl and whisking together your flour, baking powder, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. This step is crucial so the spices distribute evenly throughout your dough, giving you that consistent cozy flavor in every bite. I like to sift these together sometimes, especially the nutmeg and cinnamon—it really helps avoid any clumps. Once mixed, set this aside while you tackle the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat your softened butter with both the brown and granulated sugars. The key here is to get it really light and fluffy — I often let mine go for about 3-4 minutes. You’ll see it lighten in color and lose any graininess. This step sets the stage for tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Patience here makes all the difference!

Step 3: Mix in Eggnog, Egg Yolks, and Vanilla

Next, slow it down and add your eggnog, egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until everything is blended into a smooth, creamy batter. This liquid mixture infuses the dough with that unmistakable eggnog essence. I found that using just the yolks keeps the cookies richer and avoids any rubbery texture sometimes caused by whites.

Step 4: Gradually Combine Dry Ingredients

With your mixer on low, gradually add the dry flour and spice mixture. This is where you want to be gentle—mix just until everything is combined to avoid overworking the gluten. When I first made this recipe, I overmixed and ended up with tougher cookies, so I learned to stop as soon as the flour disappears.

Step 5: Chill the Dough for Flavor and Shape

Cover the dough and pop it into the fridge for at least an hour. This step is a game-changer – chilling helps the dough firm up, which means when you bake them, they don’t spread out too thin and keep their soft, chewy texture. Trust me, I’ve skipped this step before and paid for it with flat cookies!

Step 6: Scoop and Bake Gently

Preheat your oven to 300°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Using a medium cookie scoop, place dough balls about 2 inches apart. These bake low and slow for about 20 to 25 minutes until the edges just start to turn golden. I like to check around 20 minutes and slightly underbake them if I want a chewier center, as they firm up while cooling.

Step 7: Cool Completely and Get Ready for Icing

Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. It’s important they’re completely cool so the icing won’t melt and slide off. This is where patience pays off – I’m guilty of rushing and making a sticky mess a few times!

Step 8: Whip Up That Dreamy Eggnog Icing

In a clean bowl, beat together the room-temperature butter, sifted powdered sugar, and the eggnog on low speed until just combined. Then crank the speed to high and mix for 2-3 minutes – this gives your icing that fluffy, creamy texture that’s super easy to spread and oh-so-delicious. If it feels too thick, a splash more eggnog helps, and if too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.

Step 9: Ice and Garnish

Finally, spread the icing generously over each cookie and, while it’s still wet, sprinkle with sparkling sugar or a little extra nutmeg for a festive touch. These little embellishments make the cookies look extra special and add a slight crunch that contrasts nicely with the soft icing.

How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep the garnish pretty simple — a dusting of extra nutmeg or a sprinkle of sparkling sugar really elevates these cookies without overpowering their delicate flavor. Sometimes, I add a tiny star-shaped cinnamon candy or edible gold dust on top for a party feel, and guests always remark on the extra charm.

Side Dishes

These Eggnog Cookies with Icing go wonderfully with a warm mug of spiced tea, a glass of cold milk, or even your classic holiday eggnog. For a cozy holiday spread, I like to pair them with soft cheese and fruit platters to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

If I’m gifting these, I arrange them neatly in a tin lined with festive wax paper and tie it with a rustic twine bow. For holiday parties, placing them on tiered cake stands alongside cinnamon sticks and fresh greenery really amps up the visual appeal. You could even package them individually in cellophane with a little tag for cookie swaps or secret Santas.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container with sheets of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking. If you plan to eat them within a day, room temperature is fine, but I find refrigerating them keeps that eggnog icing fresh for up to three days without drying out.

Freezing

One weekend, I made a double batch and froze half the unbaked dough in cookie-sized portions on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. When I was ready to bake, I thawed them overnight in the fridge, then baked as usual. The icing is best made fresh, but you can freeze iced cookies by flash freezing them first and then wrapping tightly to avoid freezer burn.

Reheating

Reheating iced cookies can be tricky without melting the icing, so I usually serve them cold or at room temperature. For uniced cookies, warming them for 5-10 seconds in the microwave revives that fresh-baked feel beautifully.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Cookies with Icing Recipe has become a comforting tradition in my kitchen—warm, spiced, and approachable. I recommend making these whether you’re baking for a crowd, gifting neighbors, or just craving something special to nibble with your morning coffee. Once you try this recipe, I bet it’ll become a staple on your holiday baking list, just as it did for me. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and enjoy every delicious bite of these festive treats.

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