Soft Eggnog Holiday Cookies

Featured in Sweet Treats Worth the Calories.

These fluffy baked treats mix the cozy flavors of eggnog in both the cookie and the smooth frosting. They're ideal for Christmas celebrations!

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Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:30:29 GMT
Plate of soft cookies frosted with cream and sprinkled with nutmeg. Pin it
Plate of soft cookies frosted with cream and sprinkled with nutmeg. | cookwithtaste.com

The aroma of holiday cheer fills my home whenever I whip up these Noggy Cookies. They're wonderfully soft with a luscious eggnog topping that just dissolves in your mouth—they taste like pure holiday wonder. I've baked countless Christmas treats over the years, but these are the ones my kids start asking for the minute we hang our December calendar.

Why These Treats Stand Out

What makes these cookies amazing is how they pack all the delightful eggnog flavors into a tender, buttery treat. You don't need to wait around for dough to chill—they're super straightforward to make. Whenever I take them to Christmas parties, everyone wants to know my secret. There's just something about those warm spices mixed with that rich eggnog topping that can't be topped.

What You'll Need For Noggy Cookies

  • All-Purpose Flour: This forms the foundation of our treats, and I always grab unbleached when I can.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, and Powdered Sugar: This trio works together to create that wonderful softness we're after.
  • Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These cozy spices bring that festive holiday vibe to every bite.
  • Baking Powder: The key to getting that perfect cloud-like softness.
  • Salt: A tiny bit enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
  • Unsalted Butter: This gives us that wonderful melt-away feeling.
  • Egg Yolks: They add incredible richness and tenderness to our cookies.
  • Eggnog: Our headliner ingredient—go for full fat for the tastiest results.
  • Vanilla and Rum Extract: These add that authentic eggnog taste we all crave.

Baking Your Noggy Cookies

Start Your Oven And Mix Base
Turn your oven to 350°F and put parchment on your cookie sheets. Mix up flour, baking powder, salt and those fragrant spices in a separate bowl.
Mix Butter With Sweeteners
Beat butter and sugars until they look fluffy and pale. Drop in those yolks one by one, then stir in vanilla, rum extract and some eggnog.
Put Everything Together
Gradually add your dry mix into the wet stuff. Keep your mixer on low speed so you don't overwork it. Drop generous scoops onto your prepared sheets, leaving space between them.
Into The Oven
Bake them for 11 to 13 minutes until they're just barely set. Let them sit on the hot sheet briefly before moving them to cool completely.

Creating The Noggy Topping

Start Your Topping
Beat your butter until it's super fluffy. Add a bit of rum extract and some eggnog, then blend until it's all smooth.
Add Sweetness And Adjust
Slowly mix in the powdered sugar. Need it thinner? Add a splash more eggnog until it's just right for spreading.
Top Your Cookies
Wait until cookies are totally cool, then spread this dreamy topping over each one. Finish with a tiny sprinkle of nutmeg for that festive touch.

Storing Your Treats

Your cookies will stay yummy in the fridge for about 4 days if you keep them in something airtight. Want to plan ahead? They freeze really well for up to 3 months. Just let them warm up to room temp before you serve them so they get their soft texture back.

Tricks For Amazing Results

I'm telling you, don't skimp on the eggnog—full fat really matters for flavor. Make sure your butter isn't cold at all before you start mixing with sugar. Don't go crazy mixing the dough or you'll end up with tough cookies instead of tender ones. And always wait till they're completely cool before adding frosting—I learned that mistake firsthand!

Ways To Switch Things Up

I sometimes toss in a bit of cardamom or cloves when I'm feeling bold. You can swap the rum extract for brandy extract if you want. The little ones go wild when I add caramel drizzles or white chocolate on top. During the holidays, we get fancy with colorful festive sprinkles.

Stunning On Any Holiday Spread

It brings me such joy watching these treats vanish at family gatherings. They look so pretty on any dessert table with their smooth, creamy topping. I love setting them out next to cups of hot chocolate or warm eggnog. The smiles that come after the first bite make all the baking worthwhile.

The Wonder Of These Treats

There's something truly special about how these cookies blend spicy warmth with sweet creamy topping. They're the kind of treat that brings everyone into the kitchen asking when they'll be done. Easy to make but totally impressive to serve, these treats have become a must-have in our family's Christmas celebrations.

A stack of soft sugar cookies topped with creamy frosting and sprinkled with cinnamon on a light blue plate. Pin it
A stack of soft sugar cookies topped with creamy frosting and sprinkled with cinnamon on a light blue plate. | cookwithtaste.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the best way to measure flour?

Scoop the flour, then level it off for 2 cups. Add a couple of tablespoons more if you like thicker cookies.

→ Will low-fat eggnog work?

Stick with regular eggnog for texture and flavor. Low-fat won’t give the same results.

→ How long do they stay fresh?

Keep in an airtight container and eat within 3-4 days since the frosting is cream-based.

→ Can they be frozen?

You can freeze the cookies without frosting. Add frosting once thawed for the best texture.

→ Why do my cookies spread too much?

Use butter at room temperature, but not overly soft. Chilling the dough helps too!

Soft Eggnog Holiday Cookies

Light and fluffy cookies flavored with eggnog, finished with lush frosting and a dash of spice.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
42 Minutes
By: Milly

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 32 Servings (32 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 large egg yolks.
02 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, a little extra for sprinkles.
03 1/2 cup (113g) butter, softened, for the frosting.
04 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, for frosting.
05 1/2 teaspoon rum extract, to flavor frosting.
06 3-5 tablespoons eggnog, used in the frosting.
07 2 teaspoons baking powder.
08 2 cups (283g) all-purpose flour.
09 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
10 1/2 cup eggnog.
11 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
12 1/2 teaspoon salt.
13 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened.
14 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar.
15 1/2 teaspoon rum extract.
16 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and get it preheated. Mix together the dry stuff: flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder.

Step 02

Beat the butter and both sugars till fluffy. Add the yolks, extracts, and eggnog. Slowly mix in the dry stuff.

Step 03

Scoop tablespoons of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Pop them in the oven for 11-13 minutes.

Step 04

Let the cookies rest on the baking tray, then move 'em to a wire rack to cool totally.

Step 05

Whip the butter till creamy. Mix in the powdered sugar, rum extract, and eggnog until you get the right texture.

Step 06

Spread frosting on the cookies after they’ve cooled. Dust the top with a little nutmeg.

Notes

  1. Spoon flour lightly into your cup before leveling off.
  2. Don’t swap eggnog with low-fat kinds.
  3. More flour can make thicker cookies, if you’d like.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer.
  • Sheets for baking.
  • Parchment or Silpat mats.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy ingredients (butter, eggnog).
  • Made with eggs.
  • Includes wheat (flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 172
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
  • Protein: 1 g