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

There’s just something magical about holiday flavors wrapped up in a soft, buttery cookie. This Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe is my go-to treat when I want that warm, cozy feeling of eggnog without reaching for a glass. The frosting adds the perfect sweet finish that makes these cookies extra special.

The image shows a close-up of several cookies arranged on a white plate with a white marbled surface underneath. Each cookie has one layer of light brown, round, soft-looking base with a smooth texture. On top of this base, there is a thick layer of creamy white frosting, piped in a swirling rose pattern with smooth, velvety texture and slight peaks. The frosting is sprinkled with a light dusting of brown spice powder, adding a touch of contrast. The background is softly blurred, keeping the focus on the cookies in the foreground. 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

I jumped on this Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe because it perfectly captures the nostalgic holiday vibe in every bite. From first mixing the dough to that final sprinkle of nutmeg—it’s a joyful process that ends with cookies that are soft, tender, and packed with festive flavors.

Rich Eggnog Flavor: The eggnog in both the dough and frosting creates a deep, authentic holiday taste you can actually savor.
Soft & Chewy Texture: These cookies stay tender while still having a light crisp edge—an ideal balance that I always aim for.
Sweet, Creamy Frosting: The eggnog-infused frosting is just the right touch—smooth, luscious, and festive.
Easy to Make Ahead: You can prep the dough in advance and chill it, which intensifies the flavors and helps your holiday prep stay stress-free.

A close-up shows a woman's hand holding half of a soft light brown cookie with a visible crumb texture. On top of the cookie is a thick layer of smooth white frosting piped with swirls, sprinkled lightly with small dark specks. In the background, more cookies with the same frosting design sit on a white marbled surface, and blurred containers with light cream contents are visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe plays a role in bringing those classic holiday notes to life. I love stocking up on fresh nutmeg and good-quality extracts to make sure every bite tastes homemade and authentic.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of dark brown sugar packed, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of eggnog, two whole extra-large brown eggs with clean shells, a few sticks of salted sweet cream butter, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, and a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla and rum extract mixed together, all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic 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 for that perfect bite—not too cakey, not too tough.
Baking Powder: Gives just enough rise without losing the cookie’s density and chewiness.
Ground Nutmeg & Cinnamon: These warm spices create the quintessential eggnog flavor I adore.
Salted Sweet Cream Butter: Adds richness and helps achieve a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated & Dark Brown Sugar: The brown sugar adds moisture and subtle molasses notes, enhancing depth.
Extra-Large Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness—room temperature eggs blend in smoother.
Pure Vanilla & Rum Extracts: Boost the complexity and mimic traditional eggnog’s boozy undertones.
Eggnog: The star ingredient that infuses the dough and frosting alike with festive cheer.
Powdered Sugar: For that silky, sweet frosting texture that melts on your tongue.
Ground Nutmeg (for garnish): A sprinkle that adds aroma and completes the holiday look.

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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 thing I appreciate about this Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Sometimes I’ll swap rum extract for bourbon extract or add in chopped pecans for a little crunch—totally up to your holiday mood!

Variation: I once experimented by adding a bit of orange zest to the dough, and it elevated the eggnog flavor beautifully with a fresh citrus twist.
Dairy-Free Option: You can substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use almond milk-based eggnog to make these vegan-friendly.
Spice Level: Feel free to amp up the nutmeg and cinnamon a bit if you love that cozy warmth extra strong.

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

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. This step ensures your spices are evenly distributed, so every bite carries that lovely holiday warmth.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter for about 30-45 seconds until creamy. Then add both sugars and mix for 1 to 1½ minutes until fluffy and combined. I like to scrape down the sides here to make sure nothing sticks.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts

Lower the mixer speed, add eggs one at a time, and mix until fully incorporated—no yellow streaks! Then, stir in the vanilla and rum extracts. These flavors really help mimic classic eggnog.

Step 4: Combine Flour Mixture and Eggnog

Add the flour mixture in about a cup at a time, alternating with eggnog, mixing just until smooth and combined. Be careful not to over-mix here to keep the cookies tender. Cover and chill the dough for at least an hour—you’ll notice the flavor gets richer the longer it hangs out in the fridge.

Step 5: Bake Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment. Scoop 1½ tablespoons of dough per cookie, spacing them about 2 inches apart—they’ll spread a bit. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Let cool on the pan for a couple of minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Make the Eggnog Frosting

Beat the softened butter for 45 seconds to 1 minute till creamy. Then slowly mix in powdered sugar and eggnog alternately, blending until you get a smooth, pipeable frosting. I love how silky and festive this frosting turns out.

Step 7: Frost and Garnish

Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip (or use a ziplock with a snipped corner) and pipe swirls of frosting over each cooled cookie. Finish with a light sprinkle of ground nutmeg—you’ll see it adds a lovely aroma and classic holiday look!

Top Tip

From years of making this recipe, I learned that chilling the dough is a game-changer. Not only does it help the cookies hold their shape better during baking, but it also amps up the eggnog flavor beautifully.

Chill the Dough: Always chill your dough for at least an hour, or overnight if you can—this deepens flavor and helps prevent spreading.
Don’t Overmix: Stop mixing as soon as ingredients come together to keep cookies tender and fluffy.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and eggs at room temp blend more smoothly and ensure even texture.
Fresh Nutmeg Sprinkles: A fresh grate of nutmeg just before serving always elevates the cookies’ aroma and taste.

How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just a sprinkle of ground nutmeg on top—it gives the cookies that unmistakable holiday glow and a subtle spicy kick. Sometimes I add crushed toasted pecans or even a drizzle of caramel for extra flair during festive get-togethers.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of spiced tea. At holiday parties, I like to serve them alongside gingerbread or peppermint bark for a seasonal dessert spread that everyone loves.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, try stacking the cookies with a dollop of frosting between two for cookie sandwiches. You can also arrange them on a platter dusted with powdered sugar and surrounded by fresh cranberries or pine sprigs to wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover eggnog cookies in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the frosting fresh and firm—this way, they stay delicious for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temp before enjoying again, and you’ll get that soft, cozy texture back.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies works like a charm! I let them cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a container. They keep well for up to 3 months, and thawing overnight in the fridge brings them back to near-fresh quality.

Reheating

If you want to warm these cookies up, I recommend a quick 10-second zap in the microwave just to soften the frosting—be careful not to melt it completely. This refreshes that “just baked” feeling without losing the creamy frosting charm.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade eggnog instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade eggnog is a fantastic option and often has a richer, fresher flavor that’s perfect for these cookies. Just be sure it’s chilled and well-mixed before adding it to the dough and frosting.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough for at least an hour before baking is key to controlling spread. Also, avoid over-creaming the butter and sugar during mixing and keep oven temperature consistent for even baking.

Can I make these cookies dairy-free?

You sure can! Swap regular butter for a dairy-free alternative and use dairy-free eggnog made from almond or coconut milk. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

What’s the best way to pipe the frosting?

I like using a disposable piping bag fitted with a star tip like Wilton 1M for those pretty swirls. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can fill a ziplock bag and snip off one corner to pipe—easy and mess-free!

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog Cookies with Frosting Recipe has become a festive favorite in my kitchen—the combination of soft cookies, rich eggnog flavor, and creamy frosting really brings the holidays alive. I hope you give it a try and enjoy making these joyful treats as much as I do. Trust me, once you taste that first bite, you’ll be hooked too!