Name: Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup granulated sugar; ⅓ cup light brown sugar (firmly packed); 1 large egg (room temperature preferred); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ cup eggnog; 3 ⅓ cups cake flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon nutmeg; ¾ teaspoon table salt; 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted after measuring if preferred); 6 Tablespoons eggnog

If you’re anything like me and adore everything festive and cozy, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe. These cookies are like a warm holiday hug—soft, tender, and packed with those classic eggnog spices that make December feel extra special. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just sneaking a treat for yourself, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and super straightforward. Stay with me—I’ll share my favorite tricks to get these just right every time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortlessly Delicious: A simple, no-chill dough means you can whip these up last-minute without stress.
Perfect Festive Flavors: The warm cinnamon and nutmeg paired with real eggnog bring authentic holiday cheer to every bite.
Tender, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: Thanks to the cake flour and light hands during mixing, these cookies practically dissolve on your tongue.
Versatile & Crowd-Pleaser: Great for cookie trays, gift boxes, or simply cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa.

The image shows a white plate filled with two layers of soft, round sugar cookies topped with smooth, glossy white icing. The cookies are light golden brown and have a slightly fluffy texture. Some cookies sit flat on the plate while others rest leaning against each other, giving a sense of depth. The plate is on a white marbled surface with festive red ornaments and green pine branches nearby. In the background, more cookies are stacked and a glass mug filled with a pale yellow creamy drink is visible. A woman's hand holding a red ribbon is just out of focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg, holiday eggnog cookies, festive cookie recipes, easy holiday cookies, cinnamon nutmeg cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe plays a special role in achieving the soft, spicy, and perfectly balanced cookie you’ll love. A quick tip before you shop: opt for cake flour for that tender crumb and real eggnog for the best authentic flavor—it really does make a difference!

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of soft unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing light brown sugar, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of pale creamy eggnog, a small white ceramic bowl of cake flour, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of baking soda, a small white ceramic bowl of table salt, and a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract placed with perfect symmetry 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 - Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg, holiday eggnog cookies, festive cookie recipes, easy holiday cookies, cinnamon nutmeg cookies

Unsalted butter: Use softened butter for easy creaming, which helps create that light, fluffy dough texture.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with spreading.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel depth that pairs beautifully with eggnog spices.
Egg: Room temperature eggs blend more easily and help with structure.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and rounds out the spices.
Eggnog: The star ingredient that infuses cookies with that creamy, festive vibe.
Cake flour: Essential for tender cookies—regular all-purpose flour won’t quite yield the same delicate crumb.
Baking powder & baking soda: Work together to give the cookies just the right lift and softness.
Ground cinnamon & nutmeg: Classic spices that create the unmistakable eggnog flavor profile.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Powdered sugar: For a sweet dusting or glaze that gives a lovely finished touch.

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.

Variations

I love playing around with this Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe depending on my mood and the occasion. Feel free to make these your own—they’re forgiving and versatile!

Gluten-Free: I swapped in a gluten-free flour blend one year with great results—just watch the moisture and adjust with a tiny bit less eggnog.
Spiked Eggnog Version: For adults-only gatherings, I added a splash of rum to the dough and glaze, and my family was thrilled!
Nut-Free Dip: Instead of the classic powdered sugar glaze, a simple… cream cheese frosting makes a rich alternative.
More Spice Kick: When I wanted more warmth, I upped the cinnamon to ¾ teaspoon and added a pinch of ground cloves—it’s fantastic if you love bold holiday spices.

How to Make Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Light and Fluffy

This is where your cookies get that wonderful texture. Beat the softened butter with both granulated and light brown sugars for around 2-3 minutes on high speed using a mixer. You’ll notice the mixture become pale and fluffy—that’s your cue to move on. It took me a couple tries to realize under-creamed butter leads to dense cookies, so be patient here!

Step 2: Add the Egg, Vanilla, and Eggnog

Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Then, pour in the eggnog and stir gently until incorporated. The eggnog not only brings flavor, but adds moisture that keeps these cookies super tender. Just make sure your eggnog is fresh to avoid any off flavors—freshness is key.

Step 3: Whisk Dry Ingredients and Slowly Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This even distribution helps your cookies bake evenly with that perfect hint of spice. Then, gradually add the dry mix to the wet in 3-4 additions, mixing gently with a spatula each time. Scrape the sides and bottom too! I discovered that rushing this step results in spots of flour or uneven texture, so take your time here.

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Use a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop to portion out dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes—just until the edges begin to turn a faint golden color. Watch closely because overbaking dries out these delicate cookies. When they finish baking, quickly press the tops gently with the bottom of a measuring cup to flatten before cooling. This little trick keeps them perfectly tender and ready for glazing.

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Pro Tips for Making Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe

Use Cake Flour: I learned that substituting cake flour for all-purpose is the secret to the perfect tender crumb you’re after in eggnog cookies.
Don’t Overmix: Once the flour hits the wet mixture, mix gently to prevent tough cookies—my first batch was dense because I got enthusiastic!
Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temp eggs and butter helps everything blend seamlessly, which I discovered improves dough consistency tremendously.
Flatten Right Away: Pressing cookies immediately out of the oven ensures they won’t puff up too high and stays soft during cooling.

How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe

The image shows a stack of five round cookies with a smooth, pale golden texture, placed on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a slightly darker edge and a flat top, with the top cookie featuring a light frosting layer covering its surface. Around the stack, there are small red Christmas ornaments and green pine leaves blurred in the background, adding a festive touch. A blurred glass with a light brown drink is visible behind the cookies. The focus is on the stack, with soft, natural light enhancing the warm colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg, holiday eggnog cookies, festive cookie recipes, easy holiday cookies, cinnamon nutmeg cookies

Garnishes

I always top these cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar for that snowy holiday look and a bit of sweetness without overpowering the spices. Sometimes, I drizzle a simple eggnog glaze made from powdered sugar and eggnog—that’s my favorite for a pretty, tasty finish. Plus, a few sprinkles of cinnamon or a tiny pinch of nutmeg on top amps up the aroma and charm.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm mug of spiced cider or rich hot chocolate. I’ve also served them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream during holiday parties—such a crowd-pleaser! Eggnog itself, warmed or cold, makes the perfect beverage to enjoy while nibbling on these treats.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gifts, I arrange these cookies in festive tins lined with parchment and tied up with red ribbon. At family gatherings, I like stacking them on a beautiful platter dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with fresh cinnamon sticks and star anise for a cozy, inviting centerpiece. It always gets compliments—and makes everyone reach faster!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these eggnog cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep them soft, I add a slice of bread inside the container—trust me, it really works by maintaining moisture without making them soggy. Just swap the bread slice out if it gets hard or moldy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dough shaped into balls on a baking sheet, then transferred to a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I bake the cookies straight from frozen, just adding a couple more minutes to the baking time. This is a lifesaver during busy holidays when I want fresh cookies but don’t have time to bake from scratch.

Reheating

If your cookies lose a bit of their fresh softness, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave revives them beautifully—soft and warm, almost like they just came out of the oven. Just be careful not to overdo it or they’ll get too soft and crumbly.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour for this Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe?

You can substitute all-purpose flour, but the texture will be denser and less tender. If you want to mimic cake flour, you can remove 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour per cup and replace it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to lighten the texture.
Do I have to chill the dough before baking these cookies?

Nope! One of the best things about this recipe is that the dough requires no chilling. You can bake immediately after mixing, which is perfect for last-minute baking or when you need quick treats.
What kind of eggnog is best for this recipe?

Personally, I recommend using fresh, refrigerated eggnog rather than shelf-stable or powdered versions—fresh eggnog has richer flavor and better texture that really shines in the cookies.
How should I store leftover Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg?

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Including a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain moisture and keeps the cookies soft.
Can I make a glaze for these cookies?

Absolutely! A simple glaze of powdered sugar mixed with a little eggnog makes a perfect light finish. Drizzle it over cooled cookies to add sweetness and a glossy look.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe brings all the cozy, festive flavors into bite-sized treats. Every time I bake these, the warm spices and tender texture earn rave reviews from my family and friends. Honestly, they’ve become my go-to holiday cookie, especially because they’re quick to make and taste like a seasonal celebration in every mouthful. I’m confident that once you try this recipe, it’ll become a cherished tradition in your kitchen too—so go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to these delightful cookies this season!