Vanilla Eggnog Cookies with Spiced Vanilla Icing Recipe
These Vanilla Eggnog Cookies are a festive twist on classic sugar cookies, infused with warm spices and a hint of bourbon for depth. Soft, buttery, and topped with a spiced vanilla icing, they capture the essence of holiday eggnog in every bite. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter treats.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus an additional 2-4 tablespoons if needed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Spiced Vanilla Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg or cinnamon
- 1/2 cup eggnog (or use milk or water as alternative)
Decorations
- Edible gold dust
- Vanilla sugar
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream the salted butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, bourbon (if using), and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, grated nutmeg, baking soda, and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add 2 to 4 tablespoons more flour a little at a time until the dough is manageable.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps firm up the dough, making it easier to roll and shape.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use cookie cutters or a glass to cut out desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Spiced Vanilla Icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, grated nutmeg or cinnamon, and eggnog until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more eggnog or powdered sugar as needed to reach a spreadable but thick icing.
- Decorate the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread or pipe the spiced vanilla icing onto each cookie. Decorate immediately with edible gold dust, vanilla sugar, and/or sprinkles before the icing sets.
- Let Icing Set: Allow the icing to set fully at room temperature before serving or storing the cookies.
Notes
- If bourbon is not desired, simply omit or substitute with an extra tablespoon of vanilla extract for flavor.
- Ensure the butter and egg are at room temperature to aid in proper creaming and dough consistency.
- For thicker cookies, chill dough longer or add a bit more flour if necessary.
- The spiced vanilla icing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week; stir before using.
- Decorations are optional but add a festive touch suitable for holiday occasions.
Keywords: Vanilla Eggnog Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Spiced Cookies, Festive Cookies, Winter Cookies, Bourbon Cookies