Name: Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup salted sweet cream butter room temperature; ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup dark brown sugar packed; 2 extra-large eggs at room temperature; 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon rum extract; ¾ cup eggnog; ½ cup salted sweet cream butter at room temperature; 3 cups powdered sugar; ⅓ cup eggnog; Ground nutmeg optional garnish

Sweet, spiced, and decadently creamy—this Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe hits all the cozy holiday notes. These cookies bring together the nostalgic warmth of eggnog with a luscious frosting that feels like a festive hug in every bite.

The image shows several round, light brown cookies on a white plate with parchment paper. Each cookie is topped with one thick, swirled layer of creamy white frosting with a smooth and fluffy texture. Light sprinkles of cinnamon or spice powder are scattered over the frosting, adding small dark brown specks. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, with a blurred bowl and more cookies in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the moment I baked my first batch, I was hooked. What’s not to love about cookies that taste like holiday magic? The rich spices, the eggnog's creamy sweetness baked right in, and that dreamy frosting on top make these a standout treat to share or savor solo.

Holiday Flavor in Every Bite: The combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, and creamy eggnog brings festive cheer.
Soft Yet Slightly Crisp Texture: These cookies strike a perfect balance—tender inside with lightly golden edges.
Luxurious Creamy Frosting: The special eggnog frosting adds that extra wow factor that elevates simple cookies to party-perfect treats.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Chill the dough overnight to deepen the flavors or store leftovers easily, making holiday prep stress-free.

A woman's hand is holding a cookie with one bite taken out of it, showing a soft, light brown inside with a slightly crumbly texture; on top of the cookie is a thick layer of creamy white frosting, swirled and topped with a light dusting of fine brown spice. In the background, there are several cookies arranged closely together, all topped with swirled white frosting. The scene is set on a white marbled surface, with a white bowl and a wooden stick blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe brings together classic cookie staples with festive spices and creamy eggnog, creating a flavor combo that’s truly more than the sum of its parts. Here’s why each ingredient matters and a tip or two to get the best from them.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with fine white powdered sugar, a small white bowl holding creamy off-white eggnog, two uncracked extra-large brown eggs, a neat pile of dark brown packed sugar, a neat pile of granulated white sugar, a rectangular slab of salted sweet cream butter, a small white bowl with warm golden ground nutmeg powder, a small white bowl with light brown ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with white baking powder, and a small white bowl with coarse white salt, all arranged symmetrically with perfect proportions, 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

All-purpose Flour: Forms the cookie’s structure; spoon and level for the most accurate measurement to keep cookies tender.
Baking Powder: Gives a light rise and delicate texture—don’t skip it!
Ground Nutmeg: A holiday essential that adds warm, spicy notes complementing the eggnog perfectly.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds depth and cozy spice to round out the flavor profile.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Salted Sweet Cream Butter: Provides richness and moisture; room-temperature butter creams well for a fluffy dough.
Granulated Sugar & Dark Brown Sugar: The brown sugar adds chewiness and caramel notes, granulated sugar keeps cookies light.
Extra-large Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture; bringing them to room temperature helps them mix in smoothly.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a sweet, familiar warmth.
Rum Extract: Boosts the eggnog vibe with a touch of festive boozy aroma without actual alcohol.
Eggnog: The star ingredient, adding creamy richness and iconic flavor—grab a good-quality one or homemade!
Powdered Sugar (for frosting): Creates a silky, smooth frosting texture that holds shape well.
Ground Nutmeg (for garnish): Adds a pretty, aromatic finish that signals holiday indulgence.

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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.

Make It Your Way

I love making these cookies exactly as described, but one of the best parts is customizing! Play around with your spices or make the frosting a little boozier if you like. It’s your holiday tradition in the making.

Spice it Up: Sometimes I add a pinch of cloves or allspice for a deeper holiday spice character—just a little goes a long way!
Alcoholic Twist: Swap rum extract with a tablespoon of actual dark rum for adults-only gatherings, just be mindful if kids will be indulging.
Dairy-Free Option: Use vegan butter and a plant-based eggnog to make it allergy-friendly without losing that creamy texture.
Frosting Fun: Try coloring the frosting with a tiny bit of yellow food coloring to mimic that pale eggnog look, or sprinkle on crushed peppermint for a candy cane vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together the dry ingredients

I start by whisking the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed and the baking powder is well mixed in, so your cookies rise perfectly. It’s a quick step but important for balanced flavor and texture.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars

Using a stand or handheld mixer, cream the room temperature butter for about 30 to 45 seconds. Then add sugars and continue beating for 1 to 1½ minutes until the mixture is fluffy and light. This step is where your cookie gets that tender crumb, so don’t rush it.

Step 3: Add eggs and extracts

Lower your mixer speed to medium-low and add eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly to avoid any yellow streaks. Mix in the vanilla and rum extracts until just combined. This part adds moisture and flavor foundation for your dough.

Step 4: Alternate adding flour mix and eggnog

Adding the dry ingredients and eggnog alternately, about a cup of flour then a splash of eggnog, gently bring the dough together until smooth. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stir just until it comes together. Then cover the dough tightly and chill for at least one hour to let those flavors deepen.

Step 5: Scoop and bake your cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1½-tablespoon scoop helps keep cookies the same size and bake evenly. Space each scoop about 2 inches apart—these cookies spread just enough to keep that soft edge. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Let them rest on the baking sheet a few minutes before cooling completely.

Step 6: Whip up the creamy eggnog frosting

Cream butter about 45 seconds to 1 minute until smooth, then gradually mix powdered sugar and eggnog on low speed. The frosting should be thick, smooth, and pipeable. Transfer it to a piping bag—using a star tip adds a festive swirl on your cookies—and frost each one. A dusting of ground nutmeg tops it off perfectly.

Top Tip

After making these cookies many times, I’ve learned a few simple tricks that make all the difference between just good and absolutely delicious Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always bring eggs and butter to room temp before mixing. It helps everything blend smoothly for an even dough.
Chill Your Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It firms up the dough so cookies hold their shape and the flavors get a chance to meld.
Watch Your Bake Time: Edges golden brown means perfectly baked. Pull cookies a minute early for softer centers and no regrets!
Gentle Frosting Application: Pipe frosting gradually using gentle, steady pressure—too fast and it can get messy or break your cookies.

How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it classic with just a light sprinkle of ground nutmeg—it’s simple, elegant, and brings out that comforting eggnog flavor. Sometimes I add a few festive colored sugar crystals or a tiny grating of orange zest when I want to jazz things up for parties.

Side Dishes

These cookies are lovely alongside a hot beverage like spiced cider, chai tea, or a rich cup of coffee. For brunch or dessert spreads, pair with fruitcake, gingerbread, or a simple cheese platter to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I arrange these cookies in a wreath formation on a platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine for a woodsy feel. Tying a ribbon around stacked cookies makes a charming edible gift. Even gift bags with a dash of cinnamon sticks inside make them extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookies keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I pop them in the fridge so the frosting stays firm and fresh. Before serving, let them sit at room temp for a bit to soften slightly—perfect balance.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookies both frosted and unfrosted with great success. For best quality, freeze unfrosted and add frosting after thawing. They keep well wrapped for about 3 months. I thaw them overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in a warm oven for just a few minutes to refresh that soft-baked texture—skip microwaving so the frosting doesn’t get melty and lose its pretty piped look.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade eggnog for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade eggnog works wonderfully and adds a personal touch to the flavor. Just be sure it’s well chilled before mixing it into your dough and frosting for the best texture.

How do I ensure the cookies stay soft and not tough?

The key is not overmixing once you add the flour mixture and chilling the dough before baking. Also, watch your bake time closely and remove cookies as soon as the edges start to turn golden.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend that is intended for baking. Just keep in mind the texture and spread might vary slightly, so it’s good to test with a small batch first.

What’s the best way to pipe the frosting if I don’t have a piping bag?

No piping bag? No problem! A sturdy quart-size ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off works just as well for frosting these cookies with control and an attractive finish.

Final Thoughts

These Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe have become one of those must-make holiday staples for me. Each batch feels like a little celebration, perfect to share or keep close as a special treat. I’m confident you’ll enjoy baking and eating these as much as I do — give them a try and make your season a bit sweeter!