Oh, the holidays! That magical time of year when the air gets crisp, carols start playing, and our kitchens transform into cozy little bakeries. And honestly, what’s more festive than a plate piled high with something sweet and special? That’s why I’m so excited to share my absolute favorite Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies with you today. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re soft, delightfully chewy sugar cookies bursting with that warm, comforting flavor only eggnog can bring, all topped off with a perfectly simple, dreamy glaze. They bring back so many memories of sneaking dough from the bowl (don’t tell anyone!) and decorating them with my little ones. Trust me, these cookies are pure holiday happiness in every bite!
Why You’ll Love These Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies
You’re going to adore these cookies for so many reasons:
- Super Easy to Make: Seriously, the dough comes together fast, and the glaze is a no-brainer. Perfect for busy holiday bakers!
- Irresistible Flavor: That comforting eggnog taste with a hint of spice? It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds.
- Festive & Fun: They look so pretty with that glossy glaze – totally screams holiday party!
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Whether it’s for a big gathering or just a cozy night in, everyone adores them.
Ingredients for Your Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies
Alright, let’s get down to the good stuff – the ingredients! This is what makes these cookies so special. You’ll need these bits and bobs:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, make sure it’s nice and softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (the regular white kind works perfectly here!)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature is best
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use the good stuff for best flavor!)
- 1/2 cup eggnog (this is where the magic happens!)
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Simple Eggnog Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar (also called confectioners’ sugar)
- 1/4 cup eggnog
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crafting the Perfect Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies: Step-by-Step
Okay, let’s get our hands doughy and make some magic happen! This is where the fun really begins. Don’t worry if things seem a little messy at first; that’s part of the charm, right? We’ll walk through it together.
Preparing the Cookie Dough
First things first, let’s get that dough ready for its chilling spa treatment. In a big bowl, cream together your softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s super light and fluffy – think whipped honey! Toss in those eggs one by one, giving them a good mix after each, then stir in the vanilla and that lovely eggnog. In another bowl, whisk your flour, baking soda, and salt together. Now, here’s a little trick: add the dry stuff to the wet in a couple of batches, mixing until *just* combined. Seriously, don’t overdo it! Overmixing gives you tough cookies, and we want soft and chewy. Cover that bowl with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. This makes it so much easier to handle later!
Baking Your Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies
Alright, dough is chilled, oven is preheated to 375°F (190°C), and baking sheets are lined with parchment paper – so exciting! Grab about a tablespoon of dough for each cookie and roll it into a nice little ball, about an inch wide. Place them on your prepared sheets about two inches apart, giving them plenty of room to spread their wings (or, you know, cookies). Bake them for about 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just lightly golden. They might look a little soft in the middle, but trust me, they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them hang out on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before carefully moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Crucial step for perfect texture, just like my favorite chocolate chip cookies!
Creating the Simple Eggnog Glaze
While those cookies are cooling off, let’s whip up the glaze. It’s ridiculously easy! In a medium bowl, just whisk together the powdered sugar, the remaining eggnog, and that splash of vanilla extract. Keep whisking until it’s smooth and glossy. If it looks a little too thick, add a tiny bit more eggnog, a teaspoon at a time, until you get the consistency you like. If it’s too thin, just add a little more powdered sugar. You want it thick enough to coat the cookie but still pourable or dippable.
Glazing and Finishing Your Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies
Once your cookies are totally cool – and this is important, hot cookies melt glaze into a sticky mess! – it’s time for the fun part. You can either dip the tops of the cookies right into the bowl of glaze, letting any excess drip off, or use a spoon to drizzle it artfully over the tops. Either way looks beautiful! Let them sit on the wire rack (maybe with some parchment paper underneath to catch drips!) for about 15-20 minutes, or until the glaze has set nicely before you stack them up or serve them.
Tips for Perfect Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies
Okay, so you want your Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies to be absolutely perfect, right? I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years that really make a difference. First off, butter temperature is HUGE. Make sure it’s truly softened, not melted, but soft enough that you can easily make an indent with your finger. This is key for that lovely, fluffy creaming step. Also, when you’re chilling the dough, don’t skip it! It really helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, keeping them nice and thick like we want them, kind of like in my tips for eggnog cake. If your oven runs a little hot or cool, don’t be afraid to adjust the time a minute or two either way. And for the glaze, remember that consistency is everything. If it’s too thick, a tiny splash more eggnog works wonders for dipping. If it’s too thin, just whisk in a little more powdered sugar. It’s all about tasting and adjusting!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Eggnog Cookies
Eggnog is really the star here, giving these cookies their special holiday zing. But what if you can’t find it, or want to make them dairy-free? No worries! You can totally swap the eggnog for a milk alternative like almond or soy milk, and just jazz it up with a tiny pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon for that classic eggnog vibe. For the cookies, make sure your butter is truly softened – it makes all the difference in creaming it for that light texture. If you need to go totally dairy-free, use a good quality vegan butter and your chosen dairy-free milk as the eggnog substitute. Simple swaps, big flavor!
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Once your beautiful Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies have set, you’ll want to store them just right to keep them tasting amazing. Pop them into an airtight container – layering them with parchment paper in between layers if you’re stacking them works wonders to prevent sticking. Honestly, they’re usually gone in a day or two in my house! But if you somehow have leftovers, they’re good at room temperature for about 3 days. They are absolutely delightful served with a warm mug of coffee or, of course, a little extra eggnog! For more simple holiday treats, you can check out my tips for easy 3-ingredient Christmas cookies!
Frequently Asked Questions About Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies
Got questions? I’ve got answers! It’s totally normal to have a few when you’re trying out a new recipe, especially one as special as these Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies. Let’s clear up anything lingering!
Can I make these cookies without eggnog?
Oh, definitely! While the eggnog really gives them that signature holiday flavor, you can absolutely make them without. Just swap out the half cup of eggnog in the cookie dough for regular milk and add a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg – maybe a little cinnamon too – to mimic that cozy taste. For the glaze, use milk instead of eggnog and maybe a bit more vanilla to keep that yummy flavor going. They might not taste *exactly* like eggnog, but they’ll still be delicious sugar cookies!
How do I stop my cookies from spreading too much?
This is a big one for sugar cookies! My top tip is to make sure your dough is well-chilled. That hour (or even longer!) in the fridge is crucial. It firms up the butter, which means the cookies won’t melt and spread out so quickly in the hot oven. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated to the right temperature – that initial blast of heat helps set the edges fast. Rolling them into balls and placing them about two inches apart on the baking sheet helps too. If they still look a bit flat, you can always gently shape them back into rounds with a spatula right after they come out of the oven, while they’re still soft. For more tips on cookies that hold their shape, check out my Christmas chocolate chip cookies!
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you absolutely can freeze the cookie dough! It’s a fantastic make-ahead strategy. Once you’ve mixed the dough and it’s chilled, just scoop it into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them until they’re solid, then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, just take the frozen dough balls straight from the freezer onto your prepared baking sheets and add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. It’s like having homemade Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies ready whenever the craving strikes!
Nutritional Information for Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies
Always remember that these numbers are just estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on exactly what brands of butter, eggnog, or flour you use. But for one of these yummy Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies, you’re looking at roughly:
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 2g
Share Your Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookie Creations!
I truly hope you have as much fun making and devouring these Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies as I do! If you give them a try, please leave a comment down below and let me know how they turned out for you. I love hearing about your baking adventures! And if you snap a photo, tag me on social media – I’d be absolutely thrilled to see your beautiful cookie creations! You can always reach out through my contact page if you have any questions!
Print
Frosted Eggnog Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 min
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and chewy sugar cookies flavored with eggnog and topped with a simple eggnog glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup eggnog
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup eggnog
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and eggnog.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Cover the dough and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, eggnog, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Dip the cooled cookies into the glaze or drizzle it over them. Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
- You can add a pinch of nutmeg to the cookie dough for extra spice.
- For a thicker glaze, use less eggnog. For a thinner glaze, add a little more eggnog.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: eggnog cookies, sugar cookies, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, frosted cookies, easy cookies, festive baking