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 (if sifting, sift after measuring); 6 tablespoons eggnog

If you’re looking to add a new holiday favorite to your cookie rotation, you’re in for a treat. I’m excited to share my Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe — a delightful blend of classic festive flavors wrapped up in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. Trust me, once you whip up a batch, these will quickly become the star of your cookie tray. Ready to dive in? Let’s bake!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic Holiday Flavor: The warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg combined with rich eggnog create that perfect festive vibe.
No Chilling Required: You can mix, bake, and enjoy without the dreaded wait that some cookie recipes demand.
Soft, Tender Texture: I love that these cookies practically melt in your mouth—just the way holiday treats should be.
Super Easy Glaze: A simple two-ingredient glaze adds a perfect finishing touch without any fuss.

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, festive holiday cookies, Christmas eggnog cookie recipe, soft tender holiday cookies, easy eggnog cookie recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love about this Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe is how straightforward and accessible the ingredients are — all pantry staples with a festive twist. Here’s a quick rundown on why these ingredients work so well together and how to pick the best versions when shopping.

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, festive holiday cookies, Christmas eggnog cookie recipe, soft tender holiday cookies, easy eggnog cookie recipe

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter helps create that tender texture. Make sure it’s really softened but not melted for perfect creaming.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the crisp edges; use regular white sugar for the best results.
Light Brown Sugar: This adds moisture and a subtle caramel depth; pack it firmly when measuring for accuracy.
Egg: Room temperature eggs mix better with the dough, giving a smoother texture.
Vanilla Extract: Always use pure vanilla extract — it enhances all the other flavors so nicely.
Eggnog: The star ingredient! Choose your favorite brand or homemade; the richer, the better.
Cake Flour: This flour keeps the cookies soft and light; if you only have all-purpose flour, you can substitute but expect a slight texture difference.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents give the perfect light lift without making the cookies cakey.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Essential warm spices for that unmistakable holiday flavor — fresh-ground is best if you have it!
Table Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
Powdered Sugar: Used for the glaze, sift it unless already finely powdered to avoid lumps.

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

One of the things I enjoy most about this Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to fit your personal taste or dietary needs. You can keep it classic or give it a fun twist — it’s all about making it your own.

Gluten-Free Version: I’ve experimented swapping cake flour with a gluten-free baking blend and the cookies stayed soft and delicious — just watch the baking time closely!
Spice Boost: If you love a bit more punch, I sometimes add a dash of ground cloves or allspice to deepen that holiday spice profile.
Boozy Touch: A tablespoon of bourbon or rum in place of some eggnog adds an adult twist that my friends rave about during holiday parties.
Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter and a plant-based eggnog, and these cookies still turn out fantastic — a great option for guests with dietary restrictions.

How to Make Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe

Step 1: Cream Your Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this little prep step saves you from sticky cleanup later. Next, in a large bowl or your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter together with granulated sugar and brown sugar on high speed for about 2 to 3 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks light, fluffy, and well combined. This creaming step is crucial for that tender texture everyone loves.

Step 2: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Eggnog

Next, crack in a large room-temperature egg and splash in your vanilla extract. Beat everything together until smooth. Then gradually stir in ¼ cup of eggnog — this adds moisture and those signature eggnog flavors without making the dough too wet. I like to add the eggnog slowly, mixing well to keep the dough just right.

Step 3: Combine Your Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed, which makes a huge difference when you add them to the wet ingredients.

Step 4: Gradually Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet

Add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients in three to four parts. Stir well after each addition, using a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of your bowl so nothing gets left behind. The dough will come together into a soft, slightly sticky ball — that’s perfect!

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop (or a spoon), drop dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the edges just begin to turn a very light golden brown — watch carefully here, because you want soft cookies, not crispy.

Step 6: Flatten Gently and Cool

Here’s a trick I discovered after my first few batches: within a minute of removing the cookies from the oven, use the bottom of a measuring cup to gently press down the tops. This gives the cookies that signature flattened look and ensures they’re perfectly tender inside. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet before adding any glaze or frosting.

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Pro Tips for Making Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe

Soft Butter is Key: I learned the hard way that cold butter doesn’t cream well, which makes the cookies dense—let it sit out until it’s soft but not oily.
Don’t Overmix Dry Ingredients: Mix just until combined to keep your cookies tender instead of tough like a biscuit.
Watch Your Oven: Every oven’s a little different, so start checking your cookies at 9 minutes to catch that perfect light golden edge.
Flatten While Warm: The gentle pressing right out of the oven prevents cracks and keeps the cookies soft—definitely don’t skip this step!

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, festive holiday cookies, Christmas eggnog cookie recipe, soft tender holiday cookies, easy eggnog cookie recipe

Garnishes

While I love these just as they are, adding a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and eggnog is my favorite finishing touch. It gives a delicate sweetness and a slight sheen that’s simply irresistible. You could also sprinkle a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon or grated nutmeg on top for a bit of extra holiday flair.

Side Dishes

I usually serve these cookies with a warm cup of spiced chai, coffee, or hot cocoa. They’re fantastic alongside a cheese board with some sharp cheddar or aged gouda — the sweet and spicy cookies balance the savory flavors beautifully. Perfect for holiday gatherings!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these eggnog cookies in little festive towers, tied up with a holiday ribbon for gifting. Another fun idea is stacking them with layers of whipped cream and fresh cranberries for an impromptu seasonal dessert parfait — always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. I always layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their soft texture.

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead, these cookies freeze beautifully. I freeze them in single layers on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. When thawed overnight at room temperature, they taste just fresh–like you baked them that morning.

Reheating

When you want to enjoy leftover cookies warm, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This softens them up without drying them out — perfect for bringing back that freshly baked feeling.

FAQs

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

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour, but the texture might be a little denser since cake flour has less protein and produces a softer cookie. If you do swap, consider removing 2 tablespoons of flour per cup and replacing it with cornstarch to mimic cake flour’s softness.
Do I have to use eggnog or can I substitute it?

Eggnog really gives these cookies their signature flavor, so I recommend using it if you can. However, if you don’t have eggnog on hand, you can substitute with a mixture of milk and a little nutmeg or vanilla to replicate those warm holiday notes, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.
Why do I need to flatten the cookies right after baking?

Flattening the cookies while they’re still warm prevents cracking as they cool and helps them achieve that perfect soft, slightly chewy texture. It also shapes them into that classic holiday cookie silhouette everyone loves.
Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Use vegan butter and plant-based eggnog, and swap the egg for a flax egg or commercial egg replacer. I’ve tried this and the cookies still retain great flavor and a lovely texture, perfect for those avoiding animal products.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Eggnog Cookies with Cinnamon and Nutmeg Recipe brings a little bit of holiday magic into the kitchen. It’s simple, flavorful, and comes together quickly — everything I look for when I’m juggling holiday prep and still want to enjoy baking. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself, these cookies bring that cozy, festive spirit with every bite. Give them a try and I’m sure your cookie tray will never be the same again!