Name: Eggnog Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 2 cups sugar; 1 cup eggnog; 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 3 cups confectioners’ sugar; 1/3 cup eggnog

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 12 reviews

If you’ve ever wished you could capture the rich, cozy flavor of eggnog in cookie form, you’re in for a treat with this Eggnog Cookies Recipe. These cookies are like little bites of holiday magic—soft, tender, and bursting with that signature nutmeg-spiced eggnog goodness. I can’t wait to share it with you because honestly, it’s one of my favorite festive cookies to bake (and eat) every year!

💛

Why This Recipe Works

Classic Comfort in Every Bite: The eggnog flavor shines through without being overpowering, creating the perfect holiday cookie.
Overnight Chill for Perfect Texture: Refrigerating the dough lets the flavors meld and makes slicing the dough a breeze.
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry, making it especially convenient.
Soft Icing Finish: The eggnog-infused frosting ties it all together for a lovely festive touch.

Eggnog Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Nutmeg Eggnog Cookies, Festive Cookie Recipes, Easy Eggnog Cookies - The image shows six round cookies placed evenly on a large white plate with subtle speckles. Each cookie is golden brown in color with a smooth dollop of creamy, light beige frosting spread on top, covering the center portion of the cookie. The plate is set on a soft beige cloth over a white marbled surface, and in the background, several more frosted cookies rest on a metal cooling rack. The scene is bright with soft, natural lighting highlighting the texture of both the cookies and the frosting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s talk ingredients because I think knowing why they work together helps you truly nail this Eggnog Cookies Recipe. This isn’t just about mixing stuff—it’s about creating that perfect balance of spice, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and that creamy, nostalgic eggnog flavor.

Eggnog Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Nutmeg Eggnog Cookies, Festive Cookie Recipes, Easy Eggnog Cookies - Flat lay of a small block of softened butter, a white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, a small white bowl filled with creamy eggnog, a mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white plate, a small white bowl containing ground nutmeg, a small white bowl with baking soda, a separate small white bowl holding confectioners' sugar, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Softened butter brings richness and helps create that tender crumb we love in a cookie.
Sugar: Using granulated sugar gives these cookies the right sweetness without being too heavy.
Eggnog: The star ingredient—adds flavor and moisture, infusing the dough with classic holiday spices.
All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the dough while keeping it soft enough to slice easily.
Baking soda: A little lift for lightness without puffiness.
Ground nutmeg: A warm, aromatic spice that sweetly complements the eggnog and deepens the flavor.
Confectioners’ sugar: For silky smooth icing that melts perfectly on the cookies.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love that this Eggnog Cookies Recipe is a fantastic canvas for a little creative flair. While the classic version is a guaranteed hit, don’t hesitate to make it your own—a little tweak here and there can make it feel freshly yours each time you bake.

Variation: I sometimes swap out half the all-purpose flour for almond flour to add a subtle nuttiness and a softer texture. It’s delightful and still holds the eggnog flavor beautifully.
Spice Boost: If you’re a fan of warm spice, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or cloves to the dough for extra holiday warmth.
Dairy-free swap: For a non-dairy version, coconut oil and almond milk-based eggnog work surprisingly well without losing flavor.
Icing styles: Play with the icing thickness; if you want a drizzle instead of frosted cookies, just add more eggnog to your frosting.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Eggnog Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming to Fluffy Perfection

First things first: cream your softened butter and sugar together for a good 5 to 7 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. Trust me, this step is key—it’s what makes the dough tender and keeps the cookies from turning dense. Using a hand or stand mixer makes this a breeze, but even a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease will do! You want the mixture pale and airy before adding the eggnog.

Step 2: Blend in the Eggnog

Next up, beat in your eggnog. This is where the magic really starts—your dough will smell so festive, making you even more excited for the baking ahead. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; just get it combined before we bring in the dry ingredients.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients & Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and ground nutmeg. Slowly add this into your wet mixture, folding it in gradually. Mixing the flour in small batches helps keep the dough smooth and prevents pockets of dry ingredients. The nutmeg here adds that cozy warmth which is unmistakable.

Step 4: Shape, Chill, and Slice

This is where a little patience pays off: divide the dough into four equal parts and shape each into a 10-inch log. Wrap them tightly in wax paper and tuck them into your fridge overnight. The chill helps firm up the dough, making it super easy to slice into neat cookies the next day—trust me, trying to slice this dough unchilled makes a sticky mess.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Edges

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Unwrap each roll and cut into 1/4-inch slices—careful to keep them even for uniform baking. Place on ungreased baking sheets about 1 inch apart to lean into their perfect shape without sticking. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges set but the cookies stay tender in the middle. They might look a little soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool.

Step 6: Frost and Enjoy

While the cookies cool on wire racks, beat together your softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and eggnog for the icing until smooth and fluffy. I love frosting these generously while they’re still slightly warm—it lets the icing melt into the cookies for that dreamy texture. If you’re serving these at a party, a quick chill after frosting helps them look picture perfect.

💡

Pro Tips for Making Eggnog Cookies Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggnog aren’t cold to help them blend seamlessly.
Don’t Skip Overnight Refrigeration: It really makes cutting the dough easier and develops deeper flavor.
Slice Dough Carefully: Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts to keep cookie edges clean and pretty.
Watch Your Bake Time: Removing cookies just as edges set keeps them soft and chewy—overbaking dries them out.

How to Serve Eggnog Cookies Recipe

Eggnog Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Nutmeg Eggnog Cookies, Festive Cookie Recipes, Easy Eggnog Cookies - Seven round cookies with a light brown color and smooth texture are placed on a white speckled plate. Each cookie has a thick layer of creamy, pale yellow frosting spread on the top center, slightly glossy and soft. The plate sits on a light beige cloth with textured folds, and the background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple for these cookies—sometimes a light dusting of extra ground nutmeg or cinnamon on the icing before it sets adds a lovely aroma and a little festive flair. Tiny edible gold stars have also made appearances when friends are over—they add sparkle without overpowering the flavor.

Side Dishes

Since these cookies are on the sweeter side and full of spiced eggnog flavor, I love serving them alongside a cup of hot coffee, espresso, or even mulled cider. They also pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or chai tea if you want to keep things cozy and classic.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to arrange the cookies on a festive platter stacked with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine for that holiday vibe and subtle pine scent. You could even wrap them in cellophane and tie with a ribbon as adorable edible gifts. I once made a cookie jar trio—layering these Eggnog Cookies between peppermint bark and ginger snaps—and it was a holiday hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover eggnog cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and soft for up to a week. Make sure the container is sealed tight—you want to keep out any moisture or air that could dry them out.

Freezing

Freezing is a great option! I freeze both the dough logs before slicing and the baked cookies after icing. For the dough, wrap tightly in plastic and foil to avoid freezer burn. When you’re ready, just thaw in the fridge overnight before slicing and baking. For baked cookies, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag.

Reheating

When I want to warm the cookies, a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave gently melts the icing and makes the cookie feel freshly baked without drying it out. If you’re doing a batch, warming them briefly in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for 5 minutes works beautifully, too.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought eggnog for this recipe?

Absolutely! Store-bought eggnog works perfectly for this recipe and brings that classic flavor you expect. Just make sure it’s chilled, and be mindful that different brands vary in sweetness and thickness, so you might need to adjust slightly if the dough feels too wet or dry.
What if I don’t have ground nutmeg?

If you don’t have ground nutmeg, you can substitute with a mix of cinnamon and a tiny pinch of ground cloves to get a similar warm spice feel. Just use sparingly to not overpower the eggnog flavor.
Can I make these cookies vegan?

Yes! Swap the butter with a plant-based butter alternative and use a dairy-free eggnog or make your own with almond or oat milk. Just note this might slightly change texture and flavor, but they’ll still be deliciously festive.
Why does the recipe call for chilling the dough overnight?

Chilling the dough solidifies the butter and lets the flavors meld, making the dough much easier to slice and helping the cookies hold their shape during baking. It also helps the nutmeg and eggnog notes deepen — don’t skip this step if you want the best results.

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the kind of treat that feels like a warm hug during the holidays. It’s easy to make but incredibly satisfying, with those little nostalgic flavors that bring people together. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just a quiet night in, these cookies deliver comfort in every bite. I hope you have as much fun making and sharing them as I do—happy baking, friend!