Name: Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Glaze 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 (if sifting, sift after measuring); 6 Tablespoons eggnog

If you’re looking for that perfect holiday treat that’s both nostalgic and a little bit magical, you’ve got to try my Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Glaze Recipe. These cookies bring all the warm, spiced flavors of eggnog into a soft, tender cookie topped with a luscious glaze that’s super simple to whip up. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out each year—they’re soft but not too cakey, bursting with cozy cinnamon and nutmeg, and the glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness without overpowering. Stick with me and I’ll show you exactly how to make these festive favorites come to life in your kitchen!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

No Chilling Needed: Unlike many holiday cookies, these come together quickly with no waiting—perfect for last-minute baking.
Rich Eggnog Flavor: The dough and glaze both feature eggnog, so the cookies truly taste like the classic holiday drink in cookie form.
Soft, Tender Texture: The combination of cake flour and warming spices creates a melt-in-your-mouth feel everyone raves about.
Easy, Two-Ingredient Glaze: The creamy glaze is just powdered sugar and eggnog—super simple, but it completes the cookies perfectly.

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 Creamy Glaze, holiday eggnog cookies, festive eggnog cookie recipe, easy eggnog cookies, Christmas cookie recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ve put together ingredients that balance richness, sweetness, and spice, making these Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Glaze Recipe a crowd-pleaser. When shopping, grab fresh cake flour if you can—it really helps with the delicate, soft texture we’re aiming for.

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 Creamy Glaze, holiday eggnog cookies, festive eggnog cookie recipe, easy eggnog cookies, Christmas cookie recipes

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is key for creaming with the sugars, helping create that tender crumb.
Granulated Sugar: Adds classic sweetness and works with brown sugar to maintain moisture.
Light Brown Sugar: Packed with molasses, it adds a deeper flavor and chewiness.
Large Egg: Room temperature eggs blend better and help with structure.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the warm, sweet flavors and complements the spices.
Eggnog: The star of the show, both in the dough and the glaze, it gives these cookies their signature flavor.
Cake Flour: Soft and light, this flour keeps the cookies tender, unlike all-purpose flour which can be too heavy.
Baking Powder: Leavens the cookies gently for a soft rise.
Baking Soda: Just a pinch to balance acidity and promote browning.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and holiday spice.
Nutmeg: Another classic spice that pairs beautifully with eggnog.
Table Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Powdered Sugar: For the glaze—if you like it extra smooth, go ahead and sift it after measuring.

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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.

Variations

I love mixing things up depending on the occasion. Feel free to personalize your Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Glaze Recipe by playing with the spices and glaze flavors. These tweaks let you put your own spin on a classic!

Spiced Up: Sometimes, I boost the cinnamon and nutmeg with a pinch of cloves or allspice for even more holiday warmth.
Chocolate Drizzle: For a festive touch, drizzle melted dark chocolate over cooled glazed cookies—my family goes crazy for this combo.
Dairy-Free Version: Use a plant-based butter and swap traditional eggnog for a dairy-free alternative to keep the holiday spirit alive without dairy.
Gluten-Free: I’ve tried replacing cake flour with a gluten-free flour blend; results were great, just watch the dough consistency and bake time.

How to Make Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl or your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter with both the granulated and light brown sugars for about 2 to 3 minutes on high speed. You’re aiming for a light, fluffy mixture that’s fully combined—this step really sets the stage for those melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

Step 2: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Eggnog

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until everything’s well blended. Then stir in the eggnog. It might seem like a small amount, but this is where that signature eggnog flavor shines—trust me, you’ll notice it in every bite.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisking helps distribute the spices evenly, so you don’t get a pocket of super-spicy or bland bites.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture in 3 to 4 additions, stirring each time until just combined. I like to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula after each addition to make sure everything’s fully mixed. The dough will be soft but shapeable.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Use a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop (or a rounded spoonful) to drop dough mounds onto the lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Pop the tray onto the center rack of your preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes. When they’re ready, you’ll see the edges just starting to turn a very light brown.

Step 6: Gently Flatten and Cool

This little trick makes a huge difference: within a minute of pulling the cookies out of the oven, press each cookie gently flat using the bottom of a measuring cup or glass. Don’t press too hard, just enough to smooth the top. This helps the cookies bake evenly and creates a perfect base for the glaze. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before glazing.

Step 7: Make and Apply the Creamy Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar and eggnog until you have a smooth, thick glaze. Adjust powdered sugar or eggnog as needed for your preferred consistency—thicker glazes hold shape, thinner ones spread easily. Drizzle or spread over cooled cookies, then let the glaze set before storing or serving.

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Pro Tips for Making Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Glaze Recipe

Don’t Skip Room Temperature Eggs: I learned that cold eggs don’t blend as well, which can lead to uneven dough texture.
Use Cake Flour for Softness: Once I switched from all-purpose to cake flour, these cookies became irresistibly tender every time.
Press Cookies Right After Baking: This helps maintain a uniform cookie thickness and creates a perfect surface for glazing.
Don’t Overbake: I always watch the edges for a light brown shade—overbaking makes these more biscuit-like, and we’re going for soft and chewy!

How to Serve Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Glaze 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 Creamy Glaze, holiday eggnog cookies, festive eggnog cookie recipe, easy eggnog cookies, Christmas cookie recipes

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with these cookies—sometimes a light dusting of extra ground cinnamon on the glaze adds a beautiful touch and a hint more spice. Another favorite of mine is sprinkling a few finely chopped toasted pecans on top before the glaze sets for a nutty crunch that pairs perfectly.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic alongside a warm cup of spiced chai tea or a mug of coffee during holiday gatherings. For an indulgent treat, I serve them with whipped cream or alongside vanilla ice cream for a festive dessert platter.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to present these is on a pretty holiday platter layered with pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks to bring seasonal vibes to your cookie table. For gift-giving, I pack them in a tin lined with parchment paper and add a colorful ribbon—personal, homemade gifts always impress!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment paper between them so the glaze doesn’t stick. They usually stay fresh for up to 4 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the unglazed cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready, bake from frozen with a couple of extra minutes added to the baking time. You can also freeze fully baked cookies without glaze for up to 3 months; just thaw at room temperature before glazing.

Reheating

I like to warm leftover cookies slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds— it revives the softness beautifully without melting the glaze too much. If the glaze gets a bit hard in the fridge, just let cookies come to room temperature before serving.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour for Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Glaze Recipe?

You can substitute all-purpose flour, but the texture will be slightly denser and less tender. If using all-purpose, consider removing 2 tablespoons of flour per cup and replacing with cornstarch to mimic cake flour’s lightness. It won’t be identical, but the cookies will still taste great.
Do I have to use real eggnog in this recipe?

Real eggnog definitely brings the authentic flavor here, but you can substitute with a mixture of milk and a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon if you want to avoid dairy or eggnog itself. Just keep in mind the flavor won’t be quite the same.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

It’s best to make the glaze fresh right before glazing the cookies. If it thickens too much while sitting, just whisk in a little more eggnog to thin it out and get the perfect drizzling consistency again.
Should I flatten the cookies before or after baking?

Flatten the cookies gently right after baking while they’re still warm. This helps set their shape and makes them easier to glaze later. Pressing before baking can cause spreading, which affects texture.

Final Thoughts

These Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Glaze Recipe have become a holiday staple in my family—their tender crumb and rich eggnog flavor are something I look forward to every year. They’re surprisingly easy to make, and that simple glaze elevates them from ordinary to festive perfection. I know you’ll enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I love making them. So grab your mixing bowl, turn on some holiday tunes, and get ready to create your new favorite seasonal treat!