Eggnog Cookies with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

These Eggnog Cookies are so crazy soft, bursting with eggnog flavor and have the most luscious frosting. They are destined to become your new favorite melt-in-your-mouth holiday cookie!

close up of an eggnog cookie topped with eggnog frosted and crushed candy canes. A bite is missing.


 

Easy Eggnog Cookies

Merry almost Christmas!  Is your home filled with the aroma of warm winter spices of cinnamon and ginger?  Is your fireplace lined with stockings?  Is your Christmas tree filled with ornaments new and old?  Is your belly full of eggnog?  Have you stuffed your face with holiday cookies so scrumptious you want to devour them year round?   Well, I can at least help you with the last two 🙂   I am a huge eggnog fan, but I can assure you, I had friends gobbling up these Eggnog Cookies who don’t even like eggnog.

The second I spot eggnog lining the grocery store shelves November 1st, I giddily purchase my first carton, and buy it all through New Years because eggnog = a mug of holiday cheer.  So if you are looking for more holiday cheer, and equally important, the most delicious cookie you will make all season long, then get giddy for these crazy soft and chewy Eggnog Cookies!

These Eggnog Cookies are one of the softest cookies you will ever sink your teeth into and guaranteed to be a new family, neighbor, friend favorite along with already beloved Gingerbread Whoopie Pies and Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting.

In fact, I brought these Eggnog Cookies to a baby shower and I received comments such as:

“I don’t even like eggnog, but those cookies are soooo good.”

“Those cookies are amazing.

And a text from a friend who took some cookies home from the shower, “So I sent your Eggnog Cookies in the boys lunch today – Weston (my oldest) said, ‘that cookie in my lunch was the best cookie I’ve ever had!’  He deemed it his new favorite!” 

Thank you, Weston, thank you. And I can pretty much guarantee these will be your new favorite holiday cookie as well!

So if you are looking for a holiday cookie to bring to all your parties, neighbors and friends, then this is the one.  Because eggnog in cookie form = holiday cheer in every bite after bite after bite…Merry Christmas!

About These Cookies

What makes these Eggnog Cookies truly taste like eggnog in cookie form?

  • There is eggnog in both the  cookie dough and the frosting.
  • We add 2 cooked egg yolks to the cookie dough for a punch of flavor.
  • We spice our Eggnog Cookies with nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger for a round subtle holiday flavor through and through.
  • Finally, the tender Eggnog Cookies are generously smothered with silky Cream Cheese Frosting spiked with eggnog, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon for another layer of can’t-stop-eating-deliciousness.
close up of eggnog cookies topped with eggnog frosted and crushed candy canes.

Eggnog Cookies Ingredients

These eggnog sugar cookies contain primarily pantry staples, plus a few festive ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

  • All-purpose flour:  I’ve never tried this recipe with gluten-free flour, so I can’t say whether that’d work or not.
  • Baking powder: Is an acidic leavening agent.
  • Spices:  I packed these eggnog sugar cookies with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.
  • Butter: Do NOT microwave butter or your cookies will be too soft and spread when baked. Instead, let butter soften at room temperature.
  • Sugar: I used a mixture of white and brown sugar in this recipe.
  • Cream cheese: Use brick-style cream cheese for this recipe.
  • Eggs: This recipe uses 1 raw egg and two hard-boiled egg yolks that have been pressed through a fine mesh strainer. Sounds odd, but just trust me on this!
  • Vanilla extract: Adds flavor!
  • Eggnog: Can use regular or non-alcoholic. Just make sure it’s full-fat!
  • Powdered sugar: Sift the powdered sugar before making the frosting, otherwise it might wind up being lumpy.

How to Make Eggnog Cookies

COOKIES

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liner and set aside.
  2. Whisk together all of the Dry ingredients in large bowl. Set aside.
  3. Using a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, sugars and cream cheese until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
  4. Beat in whole egg just until combined. Add egg yolks, vanilla extract and eggnog and beat just until combined.
  5. With mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture and beat just until combined– don’t overmix!
  6. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  7. Drop dough by the heaping tablespoon at least 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets (you will need to use a cookie scoop as dough is very wet/sticky). Bake 12-15 minutes or until tops are set. Let cool for 3 minutes then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

EGGNOG CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

  1. Beat butter and 1 ¼ cups sugar with handled mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high and add cream cheese, 1 piece at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.
  2. Add vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and eggnog and beat to combine. Beat in remaining 1 cup powdered sugar. Add additional eggnog, if needed, a teaspoon at a time to reach desired consistency. Evenly spread frosting on cooled cookies. Garnish with crushed candy canes if desired.
eggnog frosting being spread onto eggnog sugar cookies that are on a wire rack.

Tips for Making Eggnog Cookies

  • To soften the butter and cream cheese: Do NOT microwave butter or cream cheese to soften for frosting or it will be too runny.  Let soften at room temperature instead.
  • Use full-fat everything: For the tastiest, richest cookies, use regular butter, full-fat eggnog, and full-fat cream cheese.
  • Keep chilling the dough: You won’t be able to bake all the cookies at once. While one batch of cookies are in the oven, keep the remaining dough in the fridge so it doesn’t soften!

CAN I PREP THESE Eggnog COOKIES IN ADVANCE? 

Yes! If serving to guests, I recommend making the eggnog cookies no more than 48 hours in advance.

HOW TO STORE Eggnog COOKIES 

Unfrosted Cookies: Can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days (if they last that long!).

Frosted Cookies: Should be stored in an airtight container in a single layer in the refrigerator.  Let sit at room temperature before serving or microwave for a few seconds (they are so much better warmed!).

CAN I FREEZE Eggnog Sugar COOKIES? 

How to freeze unfrosted cookies: 

  1. Fit as many COOLED baked cookies on a parchment/nonstick mat lined baking sheet without touching.
  2. Place the baking sheet(s) in the freezer and freeze until  solid (about 1 hour).
  3. Transfer to a freezer size plastic bag and freeze.
  4. To EAT:  When you want to enjoy an eggnog sugar cookie, take it out and let it sit at room temperature, warm in the microwave at 10 second intervals or warm it in the oven for a few minutes.
close up of an eggnog cookie topped with eggnog frosted and crushed candy canes. A bite is missing.

How to freeze frosted cookies: 

  • Fit as many baked cookies on a parchment/nonstick mat lined baking sheet without touching.
  • Place the baking sheet(s) in the freezer and freeze until  solid (about 1 hour).
  • You can now freeze individual cookies by placing them each in sandwich bags, OR to freeze a batch of cookies:
  • Top frozen cookies on baking sheet with a layer of parchment paper and layer with another layer of frozen cookies (that you have frozen on a separate sheet).  Continue to layer and stack as needed.
  • Wrap entire baking sheet securely in layers of plastic wrap.
  • To THAW TRAY:  Take cookie tray out of refrigerator and unwrap so that the condensation doesn’t form and make them soggy.  Let sit at room temperature for several hours.
  • TO THAW INDIVIDUAL COOKIE:  Take cookie out of the sandwich bag and let sit at room temperature, warm in the microwave at 10 second intervals or warm it in the oven for a few minutes.

Looking for More Holiday Dessert Recipes?

Looking for More Eggnog Desserts?

looking for more Christmas dessert recipes?

These crazy soft Eggnog Cookies with Eggnog Frosting our our family's new favorite holiday cookie!  I have tried other versions but this one is the best!  You HAVE to make these! 

WANT TO TRY THESE EGGNOG COOKIES?

Pin them to your DESSERT, CHRISTMAS or COOKIES Board to SAVE for later!

Find me on Pinterest for more great recipes!  I am always pinning :)!

©Carlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

These crazy soft Eggnog Cookies with Eggnog Frosting our our family's new favorite holiday cookie!  I have tried other versions but this one is the best!  You HAVE to make these! 

Eggnog Cookies with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

These melt-in-your-mouth Eggnog Cookies with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting are your favorite holiday drink in cookie form!   They are so crazy soft, bursting with eggnog flavor with the most luscious frosting.  They are destined to become your new favorite holiday cookie!
Servings: 40 cookies
Total Time: 32 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes

Save This Recipe To Your Recipe Box

You can now create an account on our site and save your favorite recipes all in one place!

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp EACH salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp EACH ground cloves, ground ginger

Wet Ingredients

  • 16 tablespoon unsalted butter softened*
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 oz. Cream Cheese softened*
  • 1 egg
  • 2 large hard cooked egg yolks pressed through fine mesh strainer
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup eggnog

Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened*
  • 2 1/4 cups Powdered sugar
  • 4 oz. softened cream cheese cut into 8 pieces**
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp EACH ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon
  • 1-2 tablespoons eggnog

Garnish

  • crushed candy canes

Instructions

COOKIES

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liner and set aside.
  • Whisk together all of the Dry ingredients in large bowl. Set aside.
  • Using a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, sugars and cream cheese until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
  • Beat in whole egg just until combined. Add egg yolks, vanilla extract and eggnog and beat just until combined.
  • With mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture and beat just until combined– don’t overmix!
  • Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  • Drop dough by the heaping tablespoon at least 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets (you will need to use a cookie scoop as dough is very wet/sticky). Bake 12-15 minutes or until tops are set. Let cool for 3 minutes then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

EGGNOG CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

  • Beat butter and 1 ¼ cups sugar with handled mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high and add cream cheese, 1 piece at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.
  • Add vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and eggnog and beat to combine. Beat in remaining 1 cup powdered sugar. Add additional eggnog, if needed, a teaspoon at a time to reach desired consistency. Evenly spread frosting on cooled cookies. Garnish with crushed candy canes if desired.

Notes

*Do NOT microwave butter or cream cheese. Allow to soften at room temperature.

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @CarlsbadCravings and Use #CarlsbadCravngs

Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!

©Carlsbad Cravings Original I first posted on Spend with Pennies

Reader Interactions

leave a review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 Comments

  1. Kelly says

    How important do you think the hard cooked egg yolks are in this recipe? Do you just do a hard boiled egg and use the yolks?

    • Jen says

      Yes, that’s exactly right – 2 yolks from 2 hard boiled eggs. I think they are important to the true eggnog flavor so it just depends on how much you care about that. Happy holidays!