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

There’s something irresistibly festive and cozy about this Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe. The warm spices combined with luscious eggnog and a dreamy frosting make these cookies an absolute holiday standout worth savoring over and over.

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

This Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe perfectly captures the holiday spirit with every bite. I’ve made these for years, and they always impress—soft, spiced, and topped with the creamiest frosting that’s just sweet enough without overpowering.

Perfect holiday flavor: The nutmeg, cinnamon, and real eggnog give these cookies a classic, comforting taste you won’t find in your average cookie.
Soft and chewy texture: These cookies are tender with just the right amount of chew, making them addictive to nibble on.
Creamy, dreamy frosting: The eggnog-infused frosting is silky and smooth, adding a luscious finish that elevates these cookies above the ordinary.
Easy to customize: You can tweak extracts or spices to match your taste, or even prepare dough ahead—flexibility is a win in a busy kitchen!

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 simple, familiar ingredients that transform into a festive treat because of thoughtful combinations. Each component plays its role in building flavor, texture, and that signature eggnog magic.

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: Provides structure but using spooned and leveled flour ensures your dough isn’t too dense or dry.
Baking powder: Gives the cookies a gentle lift so they stay soft and tender.
Ground nutmeg and cinnamon: Classic holiday spices that fill your kitchen with warmth and add depth to the cookies.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the spices.
Salted sweet cream butter: Creates richness and moisture—make sure it’s softened for better mixing.
Granulated sugar and dark brown sugar: Brown sugar brings chewiness and caramel notes, while granulated sugar keeps the cookie light.
Extra-large eggs: They bind the dough and add moisture—room temperature eggs blend more evenly.
Pure vanilla extract and rum extract: The vanilla adds familiar sweetness, while the rum extract mimics a traditional eggnog flavor punch.
Eggnog: The star ingredient, infusing every bite with creamy, spicy holiday cheer.
Powdered sugar (for frosting): Gives the frosting a smooth, soft sweetness that melts on your tongue.
Ground nutmeg (optional garnish): Adds that final festive touch of aroma and taste on top of the creamy frosting.

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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

One of the best things about this Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your own kitchen style. I like adding a little extra rum extract for a boozier vibe, but you can leave it out for kids or substitute with almond extract for a different twist.

Variation: Occasionally, I swap out half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat pastry flour to add a nutty depth and a slightly heartier crumb. It still tastes festive, just a tad earthier.
Dietary modification: For a dairy-free option, I’ve had good luck with vegan butter and plant-based eggnog alternatives—just keep an eye on the dough consistency since these swaps can affect moisture.
Flavor twist: You can add a pinch of cloves or ginger to the spices for a more complex holiday cookie that’s still totally approachable.

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

Step 1: Whisk to lay the base

Start by whisking the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium bowl. This helps the spices and leavening distribute evenly so you get consistent flavor and texture throughout.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars

Beat your softened butter on medium-high speed for about 30-45 seconds until it's smooth and creamy. Add the sugars and keep beating for 1 to 1½ minutes. This step is where air gets whipped in, helping your cookies stay light and soft.

Step 3: Add eggs and extracts

Lower your mixer speed to medium-low, then add the eggs one at a time—make sure each is fully combined before adding the next. Follow with vanilla and rum extract, mixing just until combined so the dough stays tender and doesn’t overdevelop the gluten.

Step 4: Alternate dry ingredients and eggnog

Incorporate your flour mixture and eggnog by adding 1 cup of flour mixture, then a few spoonfuls of eggnog, alternating until everything is just mixed in and smooth. Be careful not to overmix—stop as soon as the dough comes together.

Step 5: Chill and prep baking

Cover your dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This step boosts the spice infusion and prevents spreading while baking, so you get those soft, perfectly shaped cookies.

Step 6: Bake to golden perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a 1½-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough, placing each ball about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn a gentle golden brown, then let them cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 7: Whip up the creamy eggnog frosting

With your mixer, beat softened butter until smooth (about 45 seconds to a minute). Gradually add powdered sugar and eggnog on low speed, alternating until the frosting is silky and fluffy. If it’s too thick, add a splash more eggnog; too thin, add more powdered sugar.

Step 8: Pipe and sprinkle

Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip (I use Wilton 1M) or a ziplock with the corner snipped off. Pipe generous swirls over each cooled cookie. Finish with a light dusting of ground nutmeg for that final festive aroma and look.

Top Tip

Having made these cookies quite a few times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really take the Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe from great to unforgettable.

Chill your dough well: Don’t skip the hour-plus chill—this intensifies the eggnog flavor and helps keep your cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Use room temperature eggs and butter: It makes mixing smoother and prevents a gritty texture in your dough and frosting.
Frost only once cookies are fully cool: Warm cookies will melt the frosting and can make a mess, so patience here pays off.
Don’t overmix once you add flour: Just combine until you see no flour pockets to keep cookies tender, not tough.

How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing these cookies off with a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg—it brightens up the frosting’s sweetness and adds that unmistakable seasonal aroma that guests always ask about.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or a glass of chilled eggnog to double down on the festive vibe. They also go surprisingly well alongside a cheese platter with sharp cheddar and fruity accompaniments if you want a sweet-and-savory snack board.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these cookies on a tiered stand surrounded by evergreen sprigs and cinnamon sticks. Using colored piping bags, you can even add little festive swirls of red or green frosting to jazz them up visually.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting in an airtight container in the fridge—they stay wonderfully soft for up to 5 days. Just let them come to room temperature before serving so the frosting isn’t too firm.

Freezing

Yes, these cookies freeze beautifully! I freeze them unfrosted on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a sealed container. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge, then frost fresh for best results.

Reheating

If your cookies have lost a bit of their softness, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave revives their warm, tender texture perfectly—just be careful not to melt the frosting too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this recipe without alcohol?

Absolutely! This Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe uses rum extract to mimic the flavor of traditional eggnog without actual alcohol. Just be sure to use pure rum extract, and if you want to omit entirely, add a little extra vanilla or almond extract to keep flavor depth.

What’s the best way to prevent these cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least an hour is key. It helps solidify the butter and lets the flour fully hydrate, so your cookies keep their shape and don’t turn into flat discs in the oven.

Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?

You can substitute vegan butter and a plant-based eggnog alternative. Be mindful that this might require slight adjustments in the dough's moisture since plant-based ingredients behave a little differently, but the flavors will still be festive and delicious!

How do I store leftover frosted cookies?

Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh and prevent melting. Let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the cookie I reach for every holiday season when I want something comforting but a bit special. I hope you’ll enjoy gathering around with loved ones, piping on that luscious frosting, and savoring these festive bites as much as I do.