Soft Frosted Eggnog Cookies for Cozy Evenings
Thereโs something magical about a chilly winter evening โ the tree lights twinkling, your favorite blanket on standby, and that faint smell of cinnamon drifting through the air. And if thereโs one cookie that perfectly fits that mood, itโs a Soft Frosted Eggnog Cookie.
Forget fancy gingerbread mansions or those rock-hard sugar cookies that can double as coasters. These cookies are pillowy soft, creamy, and full of that signature eggnog flavor that screams Christmas comfort.
Ready to bring that holiday warmth to your kitchen (without needing a culinary degree)? Grab your whisk โ itโs cookie time. ๐ชโจ
What Makes Eggnog Cookies So Special?
Eggnog cookies are basically Christmas in cookie form. You get the smooth, custard-like sweetness of eggnog mixed with the buttery softness of a sugar cookie. Add a creamy frosting on top โ with just a hint of nutmeg โ and youโve got yourself a treat thatโs equally cozy and classy.
And unlike a glass of eggnog, these cookies donโt require convincing anyone that drinking eggs is normal. (Youโre welcome.)
So why are they a must for your winter lineup?
- Theyโre soft. Like, cloud-level soft.
- Theyโre perfectly spiced. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla โ holiday trinity unlocked.
- They stay fresh for days. Store them right, and they taste like Christmas even midweek.
- They smell heavenly. Seriously, your house will smell like Santaโs bakery.
Ingredients Youโll Need
Hereโs your lineup for these dreamy cookies. Most of this stuffโs probably already chilling in your pantry (pun totally intended).
For the Cookies:
- 2 ยผ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ยฝ teaspoon cinnamon
- ยพ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ยฝ cup light brown sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- ยฝ cup eggnog (full-fat is best)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon rum extract (optional, but it gives that classic eggnog vibe)
For the Frosting:
- ยฝ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons eggnog
- ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ยผ teaspoon nutmeg, plus more for sprinkling
Step-by-Step Instructions
Get your mixing bowls ready โ this recipeโs about to make your kitchen smell like the holidays.
Step 1: Whisk the Dry Stuff
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2โ3 minutes). This stepโs key to that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add the Flavor
Mix in the egg yolks, eggnog, vanilla, and rum extract. The batter might look slightly curdled โ donโt panic, thatโs just the eggnog doing its thing.
Step 4: Combine
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined (no overmixing โ we want soft, not chewy).
Step 5: Chill Out
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30โ45 minutes. This keeps your cookies from spreading like puddles in the oven.
Step 6: Bake
Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake for 9โ11 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
Cool completely before frosting โ trust me, patience is worth it here.
Step 7: Make the Frosting
Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in eggnog, vanilla, and nutmeg until smooth and fluffy.
Step 8: Frost and Sprinkle
Once cookies are cool, spread frosting generously and sprinkle a dusting of nutmeg on top.
Now go ahead and โtaste-testโ one (or three). Quality control is important, right? ๐

Cozy Pairings: What to Serve with Your Eggnog Cookies
These cookies are divine on their own, but pair them with the right drink or snack, and youโre in holiday heaven.
- Hot cocoa โ because double comfort is always the answer.
- Chai latte โ those warm spices complement the nutmeg beautifully.
- Actual eggnog โ yes, you can double down. I wonโt judge.
- A cozy blanket and Netflix โ technically not food, but 100% recommended.
Tips for Perfectly Soft Cookies Every Time
Want bakery-level perfection? Hereโs how to make it happen:
- Use room temperature butter and eggnog. Cold ingredients can mess with texture.
- Donโt skip chilling the dough. It keeps your cookies thick and soft.
- Underbake slightly. Pull them out when the edges are just set; theyโll finish cooking on the sheet.
- Frost only when cool. Melted frosting = sad cookies.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
The holidays get busy fast, so make-ahead options are a lifesaver:
- Store baked cookies: In an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for 1 week.
- Freeze dough: Roll into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake straight from frozen โ just add 2 extra minutes.
- Freeze frosted cookies: Lay in a single layer with parchment between layers. Thaw at room temp before serving.
Variations to Try
Feeling creative? Try these fun twists:
- Eggnog Snickerdoodles: Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking.
- Maple Eggnog Cookies: Swap eggnog in frosting for maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon.
- Boozy Touch: Add a teaspoon of dark rum to the frosting for adult-only gatherings.
Why These Cookies Are Perfect for Cozy Evenings
You know those nights when itโs snowing outside, your playlist is soft jazz Christmas, and youโve got nowhere to be? Thatโs exactly the mood these cookies were born for.
Theyโre soft, spiced, and frosted like tiny edible clouds โ the kind of dessert that makes you pause mid-bite and go, โOh wow.โ
So make a batch, pour a mug of cocoa, and let these cookies remind you what cozy feels like. Because sometimes, the best kind of evening is one that smells like nutmeg and feels like home.
Final Thoughts
Soft Frosted Eggnog Cookies are the ultimate comfort dessert for the holiday season. Theyโre easy to make, insanely soft, and taste like the cozy side of Christmas.
So the next time you want something sweet, festive, and melt-in-your-mouth good โ skip the complicated desserts and bake these instead.
Trust me, youโll want to keep a plate just for yourself. ๐
Print
Soft Frosted Eggnog Cookies for Cozy Evenings
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, fluffy eggnog cookies topped with a creamy nutmeg frosting โ the perfect cozy evening treat.
Ingredients
2 ยผ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
ยฝ tsp baking soda
ยฝ tsp salt
ยฝ tsp nutmeg
ยฝ tsp cinnamon
ยพ cup butter
1 cup sugar
ยฝ cup brown sugar
2 egg yolks
ยฝ cup eggnog
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp rum extract (optional)
Frosting:
ยฝ cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp eggnog
ยฝ tsp vanilla
ยผ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
1. Whisk dry ingredients in one bowl.
2. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy.
3. Add egg yolks, eggnog, vanilla, and rum extract.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
5. Chill dough for 30โ45 minutes.
6. Bake at 350ยฐF for 9โ11 minutes.
7. Cool completely.
8. Beat frosting ingredients and spread on cookies.
9. Dust with nutmeg.
Notes
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Perfect for freezing or gifting during the holidays.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Printable Recipe Card
Want just the essential recipe details without scrolling through the article? Get our printable recipe card with just the ingredients and instructions.
