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The aroma of holiday cheer fills my home whenever I whip up these Eggnog Treats. Fluffy and tender with a luscious eggnog topping that dissolves instantly, these goodies embody the spirit of Christmas. I'll tell you what - after countless holiday seasons in the kitchen, these are the treats my family starts asking for the minute December rolls around.
Why You'll Love These Delightful Cookies
What makes these treats amazing is how they perfectly capture the essence of eggnog in a tender buttery bite. You won't need to bother with dough resting periods as they come together quickly. Every holiday party I've taken them to ends with guests hunting me down for my baking secrets. The blend of cozy spices with that creamy eggnog topping just stands in a league of its own.
What You'll Need
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the backbone of our treats, and I typically go for the unbleached variety.
- Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, and Powdered Sugar: This trio works together to create that incredible mouthfeel we're after.
- Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These holiday spices bring the festive flavor we all crave.
- Baking Powder: Your ticket to wonderfully soft cookies.
- Salt: A tiny amount elevates every other flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: The key to that wonderful melting sensation.
- Egg Yolks: These add incredible richness and softness.
- Eggnog: Our featured ingredient - go for whole fat for maximum flavor impact.
- Vanilla and Rum Extract: They deliver that signature eggnog taste everyone adores.
Step-By-Step Directions
- Ready Your Oven and Mix
- Start your oven at 350°F and put parchment on your baking trays. Combine your flour, baking powder, salt and those fragrant spices in a separate bowl.
- Work the Butter Mixture
- Whip your butter with sugars until fluffy and pale. Drop in those rich yolks one after another, then stir in your vanilla, rum extract and eggnog.
- Finish the Dough
- Add dry ingredients to your wet mixture gradually. Keep mixing speed low to avoid tough cookies. Drop rounded spoonfuls onto your lined sheets, making sure to leave space between them.
- Cook Until Perfect
- Slide them into the oven for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are set. Let them sit on the tray briefly before moving to a rack to cool completely.
Creating Your Eggnog Topping
- Start With Butter
- Beat your butter until it becomes incredibly fluffy. Mix in a dash of rum extract and some eggnog until everything blends smoothly.
- Add Sweetness
- Slowly incorporate powdered sugar while mixing. You can add extra eggnog if needed to reach that ideal spreading texture.
- Top Your Treats
- Wait for cookies to cool entirely before adding your creamy topping. Finish with a light dusting of nutmeg for that perfect holiday look.
Storage Suggestions
Your treats will stay nice and fresh for about 4 days when kept in the fridge in a sealed container. If you want to plan ahead, they freeze really well for up to 3 months. Just let them warm up to room temperature before you serve them to get back that wonderful soft bite.
Pro Kitchen Advice
I can't stress enough that whole fat eggnog truly makes these shine. Always start with properly softened butter for the best sugar mixture. Don't overmix your dough or you'll end up with tough cookies instead of tender ones. And definitely wait until they're completely cool before adding topping - I learned this lesson through messy experience!
Tasty Variations
I sometimes toss in a bit of cardamom or cloves when I feel like changing things up. Brandy extract works wonderfully if you don't have rum extract handy. The little ones in my family go crazy when I add caramel or white chocolate drizzles. During the holiday week, we get creative with festive sprinkles on top.
Holiday Gathering Star
It brings me so much joy watching these treats vanish at family gatherings. Their creamy topping makes them stand out on any dessert display. They're fantastic when paired with steaming cocoa or warm eggnog. The smiles that spread across faces after the first bite make all the effort worthwhile.
What Makes Them Unforgettable
There's something truly wonderful about how these treats blend warm spices with sweet velvety topping. They're the kind of goodies that have everyone lingering in the kitchen asking when they'll be done. Easy to create but guaranteed to impress, these treats have become an essential part of our family's Christmas celebrations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How should I measure the flour?
Go with the scoop and level technique for 2 cups flour. Toss in 2 more tablespoons if you'd like chunkier cookies.
- → Can I use low-fat eggnog?
Stick with full-fat eggnog, not light versions, to get the tastiest outcome in both the cookies and topping.
- → How long will these cookies keep?
Keep them in a sealed container. They taste best when eaten within 3-4 days because of the dairy-based topping.
- → Can I freeze these cookies?
You can freeze the cookies without frosting. Add the topping after they've thawed for the yummiest results.
- → Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Your butter should be just soft enough, not melty. Pop the dough in the fridge before baking if needed.