Soft Eggnog Sugar Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Soft Eggnog Sugar Cookies bring the comforting flavors of the holidays right to your kitchen. These tender cookies are infused with festive spices and topped with a creamy eggnog frosting, making them perfect for sharing or enjoying with a warm cup of cheer.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup Crisco shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons rum extract (optional for extra eggnog zing)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• For the Eggnog Frosting:
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3-4 tablespoons eggnog, as needed
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon rum extract (optional)
• 2-3 cups powdered sugar, more if you want it thicker

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking pans with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Using a stand mixer, beat the butter, Crisco shortening, and sugar together for about 2 minutes until creamy.
4. Step 4: Add the egg, rum extract (if using), vanilla extract, and sour cream to the mixer. Beat until fully combined.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Avoid over-mixing.
6. Step 6: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick, or your preferred thickness. Cut into shapes and place on the prepared cookie sheets.
7. Step 7: Bake for 7-10 minutes, depending on how soft or crispy you prefer your cookies.
8. Step 8: Let the cookies cool completely before frosting.
9. Step 9: For the frosting, beat the softened butter with 2 tablespoons of eggnog, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, rum extract (if using), and 2 cups of powdered sugar. Adjust the consistency by adding more eggnog to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken. Taste and adjust spices as desired.
10. Step 10: Frost the cooled cookies and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• If your cookies turn out too crispy, frost them and store in an airtight container for a day to let the moisture soften them up.
• For a deeper eggnog flavor, increase the rum extract slightly, or add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the dough.
• Use cookie cutters in festive shapes to make these perfect for holiday celebrations.
• Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier dough.

Storage

Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature before serving. You can also freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months; thaw completely before frosting.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I skip the rum extract in the recipe?

Yes, the rum extract is optional. The cookies will still be delicious without it, but the extract adds a subtle, festive eggnog flavor.

How do I keep the cookies soft?

Baking them for the shorter end of the time range helps keep them soft. Also, frosting and storing cookies in an airtight container allows moisture from the frosting to soften the cookies over time.

Soft Eggnog Sugar Cookies Recipe

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Soft Eggnog Sugar Cookies are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season, featuring a tender, moist sugar cookie infused with rum and vanilla extracts for that classic eggnog flavor, topped with a creamy, spiced eggnog frosting seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional rum extract for extra depth. These cookies strike the perfect balance between softness and flavor with easy-to-follow steps and a customizable frosting consistency.

• Author: Jeannette
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: About 3 dozen cookies depending on size 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Classic Sugar Cookies:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup Crisco shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons rum extract (optional)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Eggnog Frosting:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 to 4 tablespoons eggnog (as needed)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon rum extract (optional)
• 2 to 3 cups powdered sugar (more for thicker consistency)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking pans with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside until you are ready to combine it with the wet ingredients.
3. Cream fats and sugar: Using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, Crisco shortening, and sugar together for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, providing a good base for your cookies.
4. Add wet flavorings: Beat in the egg, rum extract (if using), vanilla extract, and sour cream until the ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
5. Combine with dry ingredients: Gradually stir in the flour mixture just until incorporated; avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender and soft.
6. Roll and cut dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness, or to your preferred thickness for softer or crisper cookies. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes and place them on your prepared cookie sheets.
7. Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 7 to 10 minutes. Bake longer if you prefer a firmer cookie, or less if you want them extra soft. Keep an eye on them to avoid browning too much.
8. Cool cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet or wire rack before frosting.
9. Prepare eggnog frosting: Beat the softened butter, 2 tablespoons of eggnog, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, rum extract (if using), and 2 cups of powdered sugar until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more eggnog to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken until the desired spreading texture is achieved. Taste and add more spices if preferred.
10. Frost the cookies: Once cookies are fully cooled, generously spread the eggnog frosting on top. Enjoy immediately or let the frosting set.

Notes

• If cookies turn out too crispy, store them in an airtight container after frosting; the moisture from the frosting will soften them over a day.
• You can adjust the thickness of the cookies by rolling the dough thicker or thinner; baking time will vary accordingly.
• Using rum extract is optional but adds a classic eggnog zing to both dough and frosting.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and butter with suitable plant-based alternatives.
• To enhance flavor, chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and cutting.

Keywords: Eggnog sugar cookies, soft sugar cookies, holiday cookies, eggnog frosting, Christmas cookies