Name: Eggnog Cookies with 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

Nothing says cozy holiday vibes quite like the warm spices and creamy sweetness of a classic treat. This Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe brings that festive nostalgia in a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie topped with a luscious eggnog frosting. Trust me, these cookies have become my go-to for sharing at holiday gatherings and quiet nights in.

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 Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This isn’t just any cookie recipe—it's an invitation to savor the festive season in every bite. I love how the soft texture and spiced flavors perfectly capture that classic eggnog taste, then turn sweet and cozy with the dreamy frosting on top.

Seasonal Flavor Burst: The blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and real eggnog gives these cookies a rich holiday spirit that's hard to beat.
Perfect Texture: Soft, tender cookies that aren't too crumbly or too dense—just right for snacking or gifting.
Frosting That Elevates: The eggnog frosting adds the perfect creamy sweetness and a pretty finish making these cookies extra special.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need, and prepping the dough is a breeze, especially if you chill it overnight.

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

All the ingredients for this Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe come together to create a symphony of holiday flavors. Each plays its part—from the nutmeg spices that bring warmth to the richness of the butter and eggnog doing double duty in dough and frosting. Here are some notes to help you shop smart and understand why each makes this recipe shine.

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: The sturdy backbone ensures your cookies have structure without being tough.
Baking powder: Gives that gentle rise and soft crumb we absolutely want here.
Ground nutmeg & cinnamon: Classic warm spices that define the eggnog flavor.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor depth.
Salted sweet cream butter: Rich, creamy fat that delivers tenderness and flavor.
Granulated sugar & dark brown sugar: The brown sugar adds moisture and caramel notes, while granulated sugar keeps things light and sweet.
Extra-large eggs: Bind everything and add richness—room temperature eggs mix better here!
Vanilla & rum extract: Pure vanilla adds warmth, rum extract brings that authentic eggnog punch without the alcohol.
Eggnog: The star player infuses the cookies with creamy, spicy goodness.
Powdered sugar (for frosting): Creates the smooth, sweet frosting texture perfect for piping.
Ground nutmeg (for garnish): A sprinkle on top finishes the cookies with a festive look and extra flavor wink.

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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

This Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe is like a blank festive canvas. I love tweaking mine for different occasions or just switching up a flavor here and there. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—it’s all part of the fun in the kitchen.

Variation: Once, I swapped rum extract for a splash of bourbon for a grown-up spin—deliciously bold and warm!
Dairy-Free Twist: I’ve had success replacing butter with vegan butter and using almond milk-based eggnog substitutes when friends need dairy-free options.
Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of cloves or ginger amps the warmth if you want those deeper holiday notes.
Color Fun: Use festive colored sprinkles or pipe the frosting in different patterns for party-ready sugar art.

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

Step 1: Whisk Together Dry Ingredients

Start by combining the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk them well so the spices are evenly dispersed and the leavening is ready to work its magic. This little step makes sure your cookies bake evenly flavored with no clumps of spice.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Next in a mixer or with a hand mixer, beat your softened butter on medium-high for about 30-45 seconds until it looks creamy. Add the granulated and dark brown sugar and beat for another minute-plus until the mixture is fluffy and well combined. This creaming step traps air that helps your cookies rise soft and tender.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts

Lower your mixer speed and add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly until no orange streaks remain—this ensures a smooth dough. Mix in the vanilla and rum extract for that signature eggnog flavor punch without overpowering the cookie.

Step 4: Alternately Add Flour Mix and Eggnog

With your mixer on low, add the flour mixture in thirds, alternating with the eggnog in halves. This keeps the dough from getting too dense and helps it come together smoothly. When everything is just combined, don’t over-mix! Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least an hour (or overnight for extra flavor).

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop (or a rounded spoon), portion out dough balls about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden and centers look set but soft. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Whip Up the Eggnog Frosting

For the dreamy frosting, beat softened butter for about a minute until creamy. Lower to medium-low and gradually add powdered sugar and eggnog alternately, mixing until smooth and fluffy. If piping, fill a piping bag with a star tip or snip a corner from a ziplock bag.

Step 7: Frost and Garnish

Gently pipe the frosting onto cooled cookies with steady pressure. A little goes a long way here. Finish by dusting a light sprinkle of ground nutmeg over the tops—it adds both flavor and a beautiful festive touch.

Top Tip

From making this Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe countless times, I’ve learned a few tricks that seriously boost success and flavor every holiday season. These little hacks keep things simple while giving you the best results.

Soft Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened—not melted. It mixes smoothly and traps air better for tender cookies.
Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough isn’t just about convenience; it helps develop flavors and keeps the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into your measuring cup rather than scooping—it prevents excess flour that can dry out your dough.
Frosting Consistency: If your frosting seems too thick, add a splash more eggnog to reach your perfect piping or spreading texture.

How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing these cookies with a light dusting of freshly ground nutmeg. It’s subtle but makes a world of difference for that authentic eggnog vibe. Sometimes, I add colorful holiday sprinkles for festive parties, but nutmeg is my classic choice every time.

Side Dishes

When serving these, I often pair with spiced hot cocoa or mulled cider. They’re also lovely alongside a simple charcuterie board—something about the creamy cookies complements salty cheeses surprisingly well!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gifts, I wrap the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with twine and a sprig of cinnamon or rosemary—it’s festive and smells amazing. Tray presentations with a dusting of powdered sugar snow and little edible glitter add that extra sparkle for parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Because of the frosting, room temperature storage is better for just a few days to avoid melting or stickiness.

Freezing

I usually freeze the baked, unfrosted cookies for up to three months. After thawing overnight in the fridge, I add the frosting fresh. This way, the frosting texture stays perfect, and the cookies taste just like fresh-baked.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy leftovers warm, I gently warm unfrosted cookies for 5-10 seconds in the microwave before frosting them. You can also let frosted cookies sit at room temperature for a little while to take the chill off before eating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these cookies without eggnog?

Yes! If you don’t have eggnog on hand, you can substitute with an equal amount of milk mixed with a teaspoon of vanilla and a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon to mimic the flavor.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Be sure to chill the dough for at least an hour before baking. Also, using room temperature but not melted butter helps the dough hold its shape better in the oven.

Can I freeze the frosted cookies?

Frosted cookies don’t freeze well because the frosting can become too hard or watery when thawed. It’s best to freeze unfrosted cookies and add fresh frosting after thawing.

What’s the best way to pipe the frosting?

I recommend using a disposable piping bag with a star tip like Wilton 1M for pretty, classic swirls. If you don’t have a piping bag, a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off works just as well.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe feels like my invitation to slow down during the busy holidays and enjoy a sweet moment. Every batch I bake fills the kitchen with comforting aromas that remind me of good times with friends and family. I hope these cookies bring you the same joy, whether you’re gifting, sharing, or saving a few for yourself. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making them a holiday tradition like I have!