Melt-in-Your-Mouth Glazed Eggnog Cookies: Your Ultimate Holiday Treat

As the holiday season draws near, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies filling your home. These Glazed Eggnog Cookies are more than just a seasonal treat; they’re a celebration of festive flavors, offering a melt-in-your-mouth soft texture enhanced by a rich, spiced eggnog glaze. It’s a delightful double dose of eggnog yum that perfectly embodies the spirit of the holidays, making them an irresistible addition to any Christmas cookie platter.

These easy-to-make drop cookies are infused with the distinctive taste of eggnog, creating a unique flavor profile that stands out among traditional holiday desserts. If you’re an eggnog enthusiast, prepare to fall in love – these cookies are calling your name! And for those who can’t get enough of this creamy holiday drink, you’ll also adore our Easy Eggnog Cheesecake, which offers another fantastic way to enjoy this festive ingredient.

Believe it or not, these delightful Old-Fashioned Eggnog Cookies almost didn’t see the light of day. The thought alone sends a shiver down my spine! But thankfully, fate intervened, and I got to make them. Having tasted these before, I can tell you they are the kind of cookie you want to savor, then instantly reach for another. Their soft, cake-like consistency combined with the subtle spice and sweet glaze creates a truly addictive experience.

Now, before you “freak out” if you’re not an eggnog fan, hear me out. My husband, for instance, openly despises eggnog. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with these cookies, proclaiming “YUCK!” without even a taste. However, for the rest of us – and surprisingly, even for him eventually – it’s a completely different story. There’s always one skeptic in the bunch, isn’t there? This recipe might just convert even the most ardent eggnog hater!

The Magic of Eggnog: A Holiday Tradition

What is Eggnog Exactly?

Eggnog is a quintessential creamy holiday drink, a luxurious concoction typically crafted from a rich base of milk, egg yolks, and a blend of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a delightful beverage that instantly brings to mind cozy winter evenings and festive gatherings. Often, for those looking for an extra festive kick, rum, brandy, whiskey, or sherry is added to give it a spirited lift – after all, it is a celebration!

This beloved holiday staple doesn’t tend to last long in the fridge during the festive season. In fact, its fleeting presence is precisely why these soft eggnog cookies nearly didn’t get made. The moment a carton of eggnog is spotted, it’s fair game!

A Brief History of Eggnog

Eggnog has a rich and storied past, dating back to medieval Europe where it was enjoyed by the aristocracy as a hot, milky drink known as “posset.” Over time, the recipe evolved, making its way to America where it became synonymous with holiday cheer. For a deeper dive into its fascinating origins, you can explore The History of Eggnog. A fun fact: even President George Washington was known for his particularly potent eggnog recipe, which was famously boozy!

George Washington’s Spiked Old-Fashioned Eggnog Recipe

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to experience a truly historic and robust eggnog, here’s President Washington’s recipe:

• One quart cream
• One quart milk
• One dozen tablespoons sugar
• One pint brandy, 1/2 pint rye whiskey, 1/2 pint Jamaica rum & 1/4 pint sherry

1. Mix together the liquor first.
2. Separate yolks and whites of eggs, add sugar to beaten yolks, mix well.
3. Add milk and cream, slowly beating.
4. Beat whites of eggs until stiff and fold slowly into mixture.
5. Let set in cool place for several days. Taste frequently (with caution!).

Whether you’re a devout lover or a staunch hater of this festive cocktail, eggnog remains an undeniable and permanent fixture of the Christmas season. You can easily make your own from scratch or opt for a convenient store-bought version when you’re ready to whip up these delicious eggnog cookies, elevate other desserts, or simply celebrate with a festive drink.

Crafting Your Perfect Glazed Eggnog Cookies

Gather Your Ingredients

For the Eggnog Cookies:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Sea salt or regular salt
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Vanilla extract
• Eggnog
• Eggs

For the Eggnog Glaze:

• Powdered sugar
• Ground nutmeg
• Eggnog
• Optional: 1 teaspoon rum or ½ teaspoon rum or vanilla extract
• Optional: Sprinkles for decoration

How to Make Soft Eggnog Cookies: Step-by-Step Baking Guide

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set them aside. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and release easily.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder. This step is crucial for ensuring the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Set this mixture aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the softened butter, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This process, known as creaming, incorporates air into the butter and sugar, which contributes to the cookies’ soft texture.
4. Beat in the eggs, adding them one at a time and mixing well after each addition. This allows the eggs to fully emulsify with the butter mixture. Then, pour in the eggnog and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
5. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing well until everything is just combined. The dough will be quite wet, almost resembling cake batter, which is perfectly normal for these soft, cake-like cookies. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as no dry streaks remain.
6. Using a small cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons), drop scoops of cookie dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Aim for 12 cookies per sheet to allow for proper spreading.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes. It’s important not to over-bake these cookies to maintain their melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. You can gently touch the tops with a fingertip; if they feel set and spring back slightly, they’re ready. The edges should be lightly golden.
8. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming too dense or falling apart.
9. Once the cookies are fully cooled, it’s time to prepare and apply the delicious glaze!

How to Make The Eggnog Glaze

The spiced eggnog glaze is what truly elevates these cookies, providing an extra layer of eggnog flavor and a beautiful finish.

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, ground nutmeg, and eggnog. Whisk them together thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, pourable glaze with no lumps. If you desire a thinner glaze, add a tiny bit more eggnog; for a thicker glaze, add a little more powdered sugar.
2. Using a spoon or a small offset spatula, gently drop a small amount of glaze onto the center of each cooled cookie. If needed, use the back of the spoon to gently spread the glaze outwards, creating a smooth, even coating.
3. For an extra festive touch, add sprinkles immediately after glazing, while the glaze is still wet.
4. Allow the glaze to set and dry on the cooling rack for 2-3 hours, or until it firms up completely. It’s best not to stack these cookies before the icing is fully dry to prevent sticking and smudging.
5. Once the glaze is set, these soft cookies should be stored in an airtight container. For iced or decorated cookies, arrange them in a single layer or separate layers with sheets of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
6. Store in a tightly covered container once the cookies are set to maintain their freshness and soft texture.

Storing and Serving Your Festive Treats

Storing Cookies

To keep your Glazed Eggnog Cookies soft and fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. If you’ve glazed them, ensure the glaze is fully set before stacking, or separate layers with parchment paper.

A Surprise Conversion

Speaking of skeptics, I have a confession! I thought I’d let you know that my husband, the self-proclaimed eggnog hater, absolutely loved these easy old-fashioned glazed eggnog cookies. Once he finally tried one, he couldn’t stay away – LOL! My secret? I simply asked him, “You like custard, right? So why wouldn’t you give these a try?” It works every time! Sometimes, all it takes is a little persuasion and one delicious bite to change a mind.

These cookies are also a fantastic way to utilize any leftover eggnog you might have lurking in your fridge after holiday celebrations. Waste not, want not, especially when it comes to delicious ingredients!

These soft eggnog cookies are the perfect way to bring a delightful taste of the holiday season right to your doorstep. They are incredibly easy to make with our simple, step-by-step recipe, requiring only common ingredients you likely already have on hand. Beyond their ease, these cookies can be customized with various festive toppings, ensuring they become the star of any holiday gathering or cookie exchange.

Everyone is sure to adore their rich, delicious flavor and wonderfully chewy yet tender texture. Glazed eggnog cookies aren’t just a must-have this Christmas; they also make an excellent stand-alone dessert that can carry you through to the New Year. Enjoy the magic of baking and sharing these festive delights!

More Holiday Goodies to Explore

• Christmas Eggnog Cranberry Bread Pudding with Vanilla Rum Sauce
• 25 Heavenly Desserts – You Gotta Try Them All!
• Holiday Eggnog Bread & Eggnog Glaze!
• 25 Apple-icious Desserts That’ll Tempt You
• Strawberry RumChata Shake
• Creamy Custard Pie

Recipe from Meatloaf and Melodrama