Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies Recipe
If you’re searching for a way to infuse your holiday baking with cozy nostalgia and irresistible warmth, these Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies are about to become your new seasonal staple. Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are laced with fragrant cinnamon, a hint of nutmeg, and the luxurious creaminess of real eggnog. Each bite is pure comfort—just perfect for gifting, make-ahead treat tins, or enjoying alongside a steaming cup of holiday cheer. Once you try them, you’ll find yourself reaching for this magical recipe all season long!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple ingredient list is proof that festive baking doesn’t need to be complicated! Every item plays a role in building the flavor, creating irresistible texture, or bringing those nostalgic Christmas cookie vibes you crave.
- Unsalted Butter, softened: Provides luscious flavor and ensures these cookies bake up tender and rich.
- Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes for extra warmth and softness in the finished cookie.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create those beautifully golden edges.
- Large Egg: Binds the dough together and adds classic cookie chewiness.
- Eggnog: Delivers that creamy holiday essence and a subtle, custardy depth you’ll swoon over.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances every other flavor and brings out the eggnog’s natural sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie, giving them structure while keeping things soft.
- Baking Soda: Ensures the cookies rise perfectly, resulting in a soft center.
- Salt: Rounds out and balances all the sweetness—don’t skip it!
- Ground Cinnamon: Front and center for unmistakeable Christmas spice and warmth.
- Ground Nutmeg: The ultimate companion to eggnog, giving just the right touch of cozy, spiced aroma.
- Cinnamon Chips (optional): For bursts of extra cinnamon in every bite—totally optional but highly recommended!
How to Make Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by beating your softened butter with both the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until the texture becomes pale, fluffy, and irresistibly creamy—this is key for cookies that are light and tender!
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Now, beat in the egg, that luscious eggnog, and a splash of vanilla extract. This trio turns your cookie dough base into something magical, adding not only flavor but also dreamy moisture for perfectly soft centers.
Step 3: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This even distribution of spices and leavening ensures every Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookie is bursting with balanced holiday flavor.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add your spiced flour mixture to the wet bowl, stirring just until incorporated. The goal is to keep the dough tender, so avoid overmixing! If you’re a spice fanatic, now’s the perfect moment to fold in the cinnamon chips.
Step 5: Prepare and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls, space them about 2 inches apart, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for lightly golden edges and a pillowy-soft interior—absolute Christmas cookie perfection!
Step 6: Cool and Finish
Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This keeps them from breaking and helps them set up with a lovely, chewy center.
How to Serve Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies
Garnishes
Dress up your Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies with a dusting of extra cinnamon sugar before baking, or let them cool and drizzle with a simple eggnog glaze for a festive bakery finish. A light snowy sprinkle of powdered sugar looks stunning for cookie trays!
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with mugs of hot spiced cider, mulled wine, or, of course, creamy eggnog! They shine next to other holiday favorites like gingerbread cookies or shortbread, making them a hit at any dessert table or cozy gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Gift your Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies stacked in cellophane bags with pretty ribbon, or nestle a few in a vintage holiday tin with crinkled parchment paper. For an extra-special touch, serve them with mini shot glasses of eggnog or spiced cocoa at your cookie exchange!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tender and flavorful for up to 4 days—though they often disappear long before that!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Place cooled cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, using parchment paper between layers if stacking. Freeze for up to 2 months for whenever you need a quick little taste of holiday magic.
Reheating
If you love that freshly baked flavor, gently reheat cookies from the freezer in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. They’ll emerge warm, aromatic, and ready to delight your tastebuds all over again.
FAQs
Can I make Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies without cinnamon chips?
Absolutely! While cinnamon chips give these cookies extra bursts of spicy flavor, the base dough is packed with plenty of cinnamon on its own. Your cookies will still be deliciously festive even without them.
What kind of eggnog works best?
Classic, full-fat eggnog gives the richest flavor and texture, but low-fat or dairy-free varieties can work in a pinch. Just use one you love to drink, as the taste shines through in every bite!
How do I create the eggnog glaze?
To make a quick glaze, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar with 2–3 tablespoons of eggnog until it’s smooth and pourable. Drizzle over cooled cookies for an extra layer of holiday decadence!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough, cover tightly, and chill for up to 48 hours. Chilled dough also develops deeper flavors, and you can bake off cookies as needed during busy holiday weeks.
Are Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies suitable for gift giving?
They’re perfect for gifting! Their festive aroma and soft, chewy texture make them a crowd-pleaser, and they hold up beautifully when packed in tins or bags for hostess gifts, cookie swaps, or mailing to friends and family.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies enough—between their cozy spices, irresistible aroma, and stunning appearance, they simply capture the spirit of the holidays. Whip up a batch and watch them become everyone’s new favorite treat!
Print
Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Eggnog Christmas Cookies are a delightful holiday treat that combines the warm flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with the richness of eggnog. Perfect for festive gatherings or as gifts for loved ones!
Ingredients
Dough:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup eggnog
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup cinnamon chips (optional)
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a bowl, cream the butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, eggnog, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Mix the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the cinnamon chips if using.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough into 1-inch balls, place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra holiday flavor, roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking or drizzle cooled cookies with a simple eggnog glaze.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
