Unbelievably Soft Frosted Eggnog Cookies – Cozy Eggnog Cookies Recipe for Christmas

If there were ever a cookie that practically wrapped itself in a cozy blanket, turned on a Christmas movie, and whispered “bake me”, it would be these unbelievably soft, frosted eggnog cookies. They bring everything you love about December straight into your kitchen: warm spices, buttery dough, festive shapes, and that unmistakable eggnog flavor that makes you feel like you should be decorating the tree while wearing fuzzy socks.

And let’s be real—half of us buy eggnog “for holiday spirit,” and the other half buys it just because it tastes like December in a cup. Either way, these cookies give that lonely carton in your fridge a true purpose. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn eggnog into something you can chew instead of sip, you’re about to be very, very happy.

This is the kind of recipe you pull out when you want minimal stress, maximum payoff, and a cookie that tastes like the holidays gave you a high-five.

What Makes This Frosted Eggnog Cookie Recipe So Irresistible?

Where do we even start?

First, the dough. You’re not making a basic sugar cookie here. Nope. This dough is rich, tender, and beautifully flavored with eggnog, warm spices, and a little rum or rum extract (because it’s Christmas and flavor matters). The brown sugar gives everything a caramelized depth that sets these apart from “regular” cutout cookies.

Then there’s the frosting. Oh yes—the frosting. It’s creamy, fluffy, spiced, sweet, and full of eggnog goodness. Basically, it’s everything you want in a topper. Spread it thick or thin, swirl it, spoon it, pipe it—no judgment here.

And the sprinkles? Optional… but also not really optional. A little red, green, and white sparkle never hurt anybody.

Plus, these cookies are soft. Like “you won’t stop eating them even though you promised yourself you’d just taste one” soft. No crunchy, dry cookies here. If you’re team tender-cookie, welcome home.

Ingredient List for Eggnog Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

Here’s your quick rundown of everything that goes into these dreamy holiday bites. Simple, familiar, cozy ingredients—you probably already have most of them.

For the Cookies

• Butter – for richness and structure
• Brown sugar – adds depth and caramel sweetness
• Eggnog – the star ingredient, of course
• Rum or rum extract – that signature holiday flavor boost
• Vanilla – for warmth
• All-purpose flour – our cookie foundation
• Baking powder – keeps the cookies soft and puffy
• Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice – because December requires it

For the Frosting

• Butter – for a creamy base
• Powdered sugar – for sweetness and structure
• Eggnog – for flavor and consistency
• Rum or rum extract – optional but highly encouraged (IMO)
• Cinnamon + nutmeg – just a pinch for holiday flair

That’s it. Nothing overwhelming. Nothing complicated. Just feel-good holiday baking.

How to Make Eggnog Cookies Snickerdoodles With Icing (The Simple Way)

Here’s the fun part — the actual baking. The whole process feels festive, almost nostalgic. And yes, you should absolutely turn on Christmas music while you do this.

1. Make the Cookie Dough

Cream the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in the eggnog, rum (or extract), and vanilla. Add in the flour, baking powder, and spices. The dough will be soft but workable.

2. Chill the Dough

Give it a quick chill so it rolls out more easily. Also so the cookies keep their shape. Chilling = clean, crisp cutout edges.

3. Roll, Cut, Bake

Roll the dough to your preferred thickness, cut with your favorite festive cookie cutters, and bake until the cookies puff slightly and the edges look set. You’ll smell the spices before you even open the oven—fair warning.

4. Frost the Cookies

Once completely cooled (don’t rush this), spread or pipe a generous layer of frosting. The eggnog frosting glides on like a dream.

5. Add Sprinkles

Because you must. Holiday law.

The Story Behind These Soft Holiday Eggnog Cookies

This recipe has big nostalgic vibes. Eggnog is one of those classic holiday flavors that makes people instantly remember childhood Christmas parties, tree-decorating nights, or that one year someone spiked the nog a little too enthusiastically (no judgment).

Turning eggnog into a cookie just made sense. Cookies = joy. Eggnog = holiday spirit. Combine the two and boom — the ultimate December dessert.

And unlike some old-fashioned recipes that end up dry or too sweet, this one strikes a beautiful balance. The cookie is soft, lightly flavored, fragrant with spices, and the frosting brings the sweetness without going overboard.

Plus, these cookies are just fun. They make you feel like you’re in a holiday baking montage.

Pro Tips for Baking the Best Frosted Eggnog Cookies

Want flawless cookies? Follow these pro tips:

• Always chill the dough. You’ll thank yourself when your shapes turn out crisp and clean.
• Do not overbake. Take them out when the edges look set but not browned.
• Use room-temperature butter. It creams better and helps create that soft texture.
• Add a touch more nutmeg if you want a stronger eggnog punch.
• Decorate after cooling completely. Warm cookies + frosting = sliding disaster.
• Use rum extract if baking for kids. Same flavor, no alcohol.

Simple Variations to Try

You can totally get creative with this Eggnog Cookies Recipe. Here are some fun twists:

• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before baking.
• Add crushed cookies or graham crumbs to the frosting.
• Dip half the cookie in white chocolate (omg yes).
• Make them mini for gift boxes.
• Add a dash of maple extract for a cozy twist.

You can even turn these into Frosted Eggnog Cookies bars if rolling isn’t your thing. Just press the dough into a pan, bake, cool, and frost.

The Best Way to Serve These Holiday Beauties

Serve them on a cookie platter with hot cocoa, a small pitcher of eggnog, or a steaming mug of coffee. These also pair perfectly with tea, chai lattes, mulled cider — pretty much any warm drink that gives cozy vibes.

If you’re setting up a holiday dessert board or cookie exchange tray, these cookies make the whole thing look instantly festive.

They’re also perfect to pair with other holiday hits like gingerbread cookies, fudge, or chocolate crinkles. They fit right into any Christmas cookie lineup.

Quick Tips for Storing and Leftovers

Soft cookies need the right storage to stay soft. Here’s how:

• Keep them in an airtight container.
• Layer with parchment paper to protect your frosting design.
• Store at room temperature for up to 4 days.
• Refrigerate if you want them to last 1–2 days longer.
• Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months.

Frosted cookies freeze fine too, but frost lightly to avoid smudging during storage.

FAQs About These Christmas Cookies Eggnog Lovers Will Adore

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. Chill the dough up to 24 hours in advance.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yep! Freeze baked, unfrosted cookies, then frost fresh.

Can I skip the rum?

Of course. Use rum extract or just boost the vanilla.

Do the cookies taste strong with eggnog?

They taste lightly sweet with warm spices — not overly intense. The frosting brings in more eggnog flavor.

Are these like classic sugar cookies?

They’re softer, more tender, and more flavorful thanks to spices and eggnog.

Can I use store-bought frosting?

If needed, yes — but the homemade eggnog frosting is unreal.

Final Thoughts: Why These Glazed Eggnog Cookies Recipe Allrecipes Fans Would Love

These cookies truly deliver everything you want from a holiday treat. Soft, tender centers. Fluffy frosting. Warm spices. A little rum flavor. And that unmistakable eggnog magic that feels like Christmas in every bite.

They’re simple enough for beginners and delicious enough to impress anyone who takes a bite. Whether you’re making treats for a cookie exchange, filling gift tins, or just baking for fun at home, these cookies will earn a permanent spot in your December tradition.

Pour yourself a cup of nog, turn on the twinkle lights, and enjoy a batch of cookies that make the holidays feel extra merry.

If you ask me? These are the kind of cookies Santa hopes you leave out. Print