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The scent of holiday nostalgia fills my home every time I whip up these Eggnog Treats. Fluffy and tender with a silky eggnog topping that dissolves instantly, these goodies embody the true spirit of Christmas. I've baked for countless holidays, and I can guarantee these are the treats my folks start asking for the moment December arrives.
Why These Treats Stand Out
What makes these goodies amazing is how they pack all the wonderful parts of eggnog into a soft, buttery bite. You won't need to mess with cold dough—they're super straightforward to make. Whenever I take them to Christmas parties, everyone wants to know how I made them. You just can't top that mix of cozy spices with the lush eggnog topping.
What You'll Need for Eggnog Treats
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the base of our treats and I always grab the unbleached kind.
- Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, and Powdered Sugar: These work together to create that wonderful feel we're going for.
- Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg: The key spices that bring that holiday feeling to life.
- Baking Powder: Our trick for getting perfectly soft treats.
- Salt: A tiny bit helps all the tastes pop.
- Unsalted Butter: This gives us that lovely texture that fades away as you eat.
- Egg Yolks: These add a wonderful richness and softness.
- Eggnog: The main player here—go with whole fat for best results.
- Vanilla and Rum Extract: They add that signature eggnog flavor we all crave.
Steps to Create Eggnog Treats
- Get Your Oven Ready and Mix Dough
- Turn your oven on to 350°F and put parchment on your baking trays. In a bowl, mix together your flour, baking powder, salt, and those festive spices.
- Beat Together Butter and Sugars
- Mix your butter and sugars until they're airy and smooth. Drop in those yolks one after another, then add your vanilla, rum extract, and eggnog.
- Mix Everything Together
- Slowly add the dry stuff into your wet mix. Keep your mixer speed low so we don't work the dough too much. Drop big spoonfuls onto your trays, leaving space between them.
- Cook Them Up
- Stick them in the oven for 11 to 13 minutes until they're just done. Let them sit on the tray before moving them to cool completely.
How to Make Eggnog Topping
- Start Your Topping
- Beat your butter until it's super fluffy. Mix in a dash of rum extract and eggnog until it's all smooth.
- Blend and Check Thickness
- Slowly add the powdered sugar while beating. Put in more eggnog if it's too thick, until it feels just right for spreading.
- Top Your Treats
- After the treats are totally cool, spread on this amazing topping. Sprinkle a bit of nutmeg on top to make them look extra pretty.
How to Store Your Treats
Your treats will stay nice and fresh in the fridge for around 4 days if you keep them in a sealed container. If you want to make them early, they freeze really well for up to 3 months. Just let them warm up to room temp before you eat them to get that wonderful softness back.
Tips From My Kitchen
I'm telling you, don't skimp on the eggnog—whole fat really does make everything taste better. Get your butter nice and soft before you start mixing with sugar. Don't mix the dough too hard or you'll end up with tough treats instead of soft ones. And always wait until they're totally cool before adding topping—I found that out the hard way!
Ways to Switch Things Up
I sometimes toss in a bit of cardamom or cloves when I feel like trying something new. You can swap the rum extract for brandy extract if you want. My grandkids go crazy when I add some caramel or white chocolate drizzle. During Christmas we get fancy with holiday sprinkles on top.
Great for Holiday Gatherings
I love watching these treats vanish at family get-togethers. They look so pretty on any dessert table with their smooth topping. They go great with cups of hot chocolate or warm eggnog. There's nothing better than seeing people smile after their first bite.
What Makes These So Special
These treats have this wonderful way of mixing warm spices with sweet, creamy topping. They're the kind that brings everyone into the kitchen asking when they'll be done. Easy to make but really impressive to serve, these treats have become a must-have in our family's Christmas celebrations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What's the correct way to measure flour?
Scoop the flour into a measuring cup, then level it off. If you'd like a thicker bite, add an extra two tablespoons to the mix.
- → Can I use diet eggnog?
It's best to stick to regular eggnog for the richest flavor and texture in both the frosting and cookies.
- → How long can I keep these cookies fresh?
Seal them up in an airtight box. They'll stay tasty for 3-4 days, considering the frosting is cream-based.
- → Can they be frozen?
You can freeze the cookies without frosting. Defrost them and frost afterward for the best outcome.
- → Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Ensure your butter isn't overly soft—just room temp is perfect. You can also chill the dough before baking to stop spreading.