These eggnog cookies recipe capture the festive spirit of the holiday season in every soft, spiced bite. Made with real eggnog, warming cinnamon, and nutmeg, they bake up perfectly soft with golden edges and a tender center. In under 30 minutes, you can have a batch of these classic holiday cookies ready to share, making them the ultimate seasonal treat.

The aroma of these eggnog cookies baking is the very essence of holiday warmth in my kitchen. I first perfected this recipe for a Christmas cookie exchange years ago, and it has since become a non-negotiable part of our December traditions. I love serving them alongside a cup of chai tea or pairing them with other festive bakes like my cinnamon roll sugar cookies for a beautiful dessert platter. They also make a wonderful gift when packaged with a loaf of my favorite banana bread. For me, these soft christmas cookies represent the quiet joy and comforting rituals of the season.

Why These Eggnog Cookies Are Magical

Authentic Holiday Flavor: Real eggnog and warm spices create that classic taste you crave.
Incredibly Soft Texture: They bake up wonderfully soft and tender, just like the best holiday cookies should.
Surprisingly Simple: Using pantry staples, this eggnog dessert recipe comes together in one bowl.
Perfect for Sharing: This recipe yields a generous batch, ideal for gift-giving or parties.

What You’ll Need for Perfect Eggnog Cookies

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

All-purpose flour: The foundation for these soft cookies recipe, measured correctly for the best texture.
Baking powder: Provides the perfect amount of lift for a light, cake-like cookie.
Cinnamon and nutmeg: These warm spices are essential for that signature eggnog flavor.
Unsalted butter, softened: Allows for proper creaming with the sugars for a fluffy base.
Granulated and brown sugar: A combination that creates depth of flavor and moisture.
Egg yolks: Using just the yolks enriches the dough and contributes to a tender crumb.
Prepared eggnog: The star ingredient that delivers the unmistakable holiday taste.
Vanilla extract: A splash enhances all the other flavors beautifully.

Eggnog Cookies

Make delicious eggnog cookies recipe with warm spices and creamy eggnog flavor. Soft, festive cookies perfect for holiday baking.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 12

Total Time 27

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24 cookies

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

oven
baking sheets
parchment paper
mixing bowl
whisk
electric mixer
measuring cups
measuring spoons
wire rack

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

2.25 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
0.25 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
0.5 cup granulated sugar
0.5 cup light brown sugar packed
2 large egg yolks at room temperature
0.5 cup eggnog prepared
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Beat the egg yolks into the butter mixture one at a time, followed by the eggnog and vanilla extract, mixing just until each ingredient is incorporated. The mixture may look slightly curdled.
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until no streaks of flour remain and a soft cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown and the centers appear set. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. The dough may look slightly curdled after adding the eggnog.

Keyword christmas cookies, eggnog cookies, holiday baking

Eggnog Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with a tablespoon of eggnog for a festive drizzle.
Spiced Sugar Coating: Roll dough balls in a mix of sugar and nutmeg before baking.
White Chocolate Chip: Fold in a half-cup of white chocolate chips for extra decadence.

My Pro Tips for Perfect Eggnog Cookies

Properly Creamed Butter: Take the full 2-3 minutes to cream butter and sugars until pale and fluffy for the ideal texture.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures everything emulsifies properly for a uniform dough. If you love recipes that hinge on technique, my brown butter chocolate cookies are another great example.
Cool Baking Sheets: Allow sheets to cool between batches to prevent the dough from spreading too much.

How to Store Your Fresh Baked Cookies

Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, layered with parchment paper.
Freeze: Place cooled cookies in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months; they thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheat: Warm briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore that fresh-baked softness.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can freeze the unbaked dough balls on a sheet pan, then transfer to a bag; bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade eggnog in this cookie recipe?

Absolutely, homemade eggnog works wonderfully and can make the flavor even richer. Just ensure it’s well-chilled and has a similar consistency to store-bought eggnog for the best results in your baking with eggnog.

Why are my eggnog cookies cakey?

A cakey texture usually comes from overmixing the dough after adding the flour. For the perfect soft cookies recipe, mix just until the flour disappears. The eggnog and egg yolks also contribute to a tender, cake-like crumb, which is characteristic of this holiday cookies recipe.

Can I make these cookies without eggnog?

The eggnog is essential for the distinctive flavor, but in a pinch, you can use whole milk mixed with a teaspoon of rum extract and extra nutmeg. For another festive option without eggnog, try my cranberry orange cookies.

How do I get my eggnog cookies to be soft?

The combination of brown sugar, egg yolks, and eggnog keeps these spiced cookies recipe soft. Be careful not to overbake them, take them out when the edges are just golden but the centers still look slightly soft.

More Holiday Treats to Bake

Bake This Simple Eggnog Cookies Recipe Today

With their warm spice and incredibly soft texture, this eggnog cookies recipe is sure to become a cherished part of your holiday baking. They are straightforward to prepare yet deliver that nostalgic flavor we all love. I hope these cookies bring as much warmth and joy to your home as they have to mine.

Holiday Eggnog Cookies