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Eggnog Cookie Recipe

This eggnog cookie recipe is like Christmas in every bite—soft, spiced, and topped with a creamy glaze. Cozy holiday cookies that everyone will love!

A white plate holds six cookies drizzled with glaze. The cookies are arranged neatly. Around the plate are festive decorations like a red and white candy cane, a red napkin, and holly berries on a wooden surface.


Do you still have a splash of eggnog lingering in the fridge after the holidays? Perfect! That leftover bit is just what you need to whip up a batch of these irresistibly festive Eggnog Cookies.

They’re soft, rich with cozy holiday spices, and topped with a dreamy cream cheese glaze—a guaranteed hit for your holiday (or post-holiday) gatherings. Ready to bring some extra cheer to your cookie jar? Let’s dive into this delicious recipe!

Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!

These Eggnog Cookies are essentially a seasonal take on the classic sugar cookie. They have the rich flavours of nutmeg, cinnamon and eggnog which is one of my favorite combinations.

A white plate with six round, iced cookies. The cookies have a drizzle of white icing and are surrounded by festive decorations, including red berries and candy canes on a light wood table.

More eggnog recipe favorites!

A plate of iced cookies drizzled with white icing, showcasing a golden-brown color and a round, textured appearance. The cookies are closely arranged, highlighting their icing pattern and inviting presentation.

You may want to freeze these after baking or at the very least hide them in the pantry otherwise they will be gone all too soon.  My kids like to wake up early and sneak a few from the cookie jar hoping that I won’t see the trail of cookie crumbs across the counter.

A plate of eggnog cookies with white glaze, arranged next to a carton of eggnog, a red and green plaid cloth, red oven mitts, red berries, and a red and white zigzag-patterned card on a wooden surface.

Ingredients

  • Eggnog – the star of the show! Adds moisture and that classic holiday flavor.
  • Pure vanilla extract – for a warm, aromatic touch.
  • All-purpose flour – keeps your cookies perfectly structured.
  • Baking powder – ensures a nice, fluffy rise.
  • Ground cinnamon – pairs beautifully with the eggnog.
  • Ground nutmeg – for that true holiday vibe.

For the Creamy Glaze:

  • Cream cheese (softened) – makes the glaze irresistibly smooth.
  • Powdered sugar – adds a touch of sweetness.
  • Eggnog – keeps the glaze creamy and delicious.
  • Pinch of nutmeg – for a sprinkle of holiday magic.
A bowl of cookie dough sits on a wooden surface. The dough is creamy and mixed thoroughly. In the background, there are colorful checkered and red oven mitts.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them with non stick cooking spray.


2. Cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, eggnog and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.


3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, nutmeg and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.


4. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls (or use your trusty cookie scoop) onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.


5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Resist the urge to overbake—these cookies are best when soft and chewy!


6. Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

A mixing bowl containing a creamy eggnog icing with a wooden spoon rests on a wooden surface. Nearby are a carton of eggnog, red and green cloth, a red oven mitt, a candy cane, and a red and white chevron-patterned napkin.


7. While your cookies cool, whip up the glaze by beating the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in eggnog until you reach a drizzle-worthy consistency.

8. Finish with a pinch of nutmeg, then drizzle over cooled cookies – if you are storing the cookies for later, consider saving the glaze and adding to the cookies upon plating.

A white plate holds six baked cookies drizzled with icing. In the background, there are plaid and chevron napkins, a carton of milk, a red oven mitt, red berries, and a candy cane. The scene has a festive, holiday feel.

Tips and Tricks

  • Chill the dough – if you find your dough is sticky, pop it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. This will help your cookies keep their shape while baking.
  • Use real eggnog – for that true holiday flavor, use a quality eggnog. Homemade eggnog? Even better!
  • Don’t overbake – the cookies should look set but still soft in the middle. They’ll firm up as they cool.
  • Creamy glaze – allow the cookies to completely cool before adding the icing. Consider glazing the cookies just before serving so that the cookies don’t stick to each other.
  • Double the batch- these go fast! You’ll thank me later.
A plate of six round cookies drizzled with icing. The cookies have a crumbly texture and sit on a square, white plate. A red and white chevron napkin and some red decorative berries are partially visible in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the dough up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. When you’re ready, just scoop and bake!

Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes, these cookies freeze beautifully. Just pop them in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper. Thaw at room temp when ready to serve.

Can I make the glaze without cream cheese?
You bet! Swap the cream cheese for an additional 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and a splash more eggnog to keep it smooth.

A star-shaped plate holds six eggnog cookies drizzled with icing. The plate is on a wooden surface with festive red berries, a candy cane, and a red and green cloth nearby. Text reads Eggnog Cookie Recipe - homemadeheather.com.

If you love this eggnog cookie recipe, click the stars below to give it a five star review and leave a comment! Please help me share it on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

A white plate holds six cookies drizzled with glaze. The cookies are arranged neatly. Around the plate are festive decorations like a red and white candy cane, a red napkin, and holly berries on a wooden surface.

Eggnog Cookie Recipe

This eggnog cookie recipe is like Christmas in every bite—soft, spiced, and topped with a creamy glaze. Cozy holiday cookies that everyone will love!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
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Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup butter softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup eggnog
  • 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • For icing:
  • 2 oz cream cheese softened
  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp eggnog

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them with non stick cooking spray.
  • Cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, eggnog and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, nutmeg and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
  • Scoop tablespoon-sized balls (or use your trusty cookie scoop) onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Resist the urge to overbake—these cookies are best when soft and chewy!
  • Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While your cookies cool, whip up the glaze by beating the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in eggnog until you reach a drizzle-worthy consistency.
  • Finish with a pinch of nutmeg, then drizzle over cooled cookies – if you are storing the cookies for later, consider saving the glaze and adding to the cookies upon plating.

Notes

  • Chill the dough – if you find your dough is sticky, pop it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. This will help your cookies keep their shape while baking.
  • Use real eggnog – for that true holiday flavor, use a quality eggnog. Homemade eggnog? Even better!
  • Don’t overbake – the cookies should look set but still soft in the middle. They’ll firm up as they cool.
  • Creamy glaze – allow the cookies to completely cool before adding the icing. Consider glazing the cookies just before serving so that the cookies don’t stick to each other.
  • Double the batch- these go fast! You’ll thank me later.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 63mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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about heather

Hello, I’m Heather!

I'm an active mom of twin boys who is always looking for opportunities to inspire creativity through fun crafts, do-it-yourself projects and delicious recipes. This blog has been an integral part of supporting my little family and I am so grateful to have you become a part of our journey! Let's create together... Read more...

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)
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