Santa’s Favorite Eggnog Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Soft, pillowy cookies with a festive seasonal eggnog delight twist dance on the edge of holiday magic.

These melt-in-your-mouth treats capture the essence of winter celebrations.

Rich butter and creamy eggnog blend seamlessly into a decadent dough that promises pure indulgence.

Each bite whispers sweet memories of cozy gatherings and cheerful moments.

The delicate balance of spices and sweetness makes these cookies an irresistible addition to any dessert spread.

Warm ovens and sprinkled powdered sugar await your baking adventure.

Dive into this delightful recipe and let the holiday spirit shine through every delectable crumb.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes (per batch)

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients in Eggnog Gooey Butter Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and bulk for the cookies, selecting all-purpose flour ensures consistent texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light, choosing aluminum-free version enhances pure flavor.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall taste, fine sea salt works best.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm holiday spices that create signature eggnog flavor profile, using freshly ground spices intensifies aroma.

• Cream Cheese: Adds rich tanginess and smooth consistency, room temperature ensures perfect blending.
• Butter: Delivers deep flavor and tender crumb, using unsalted allows better control of salt levels.
• Sour Cream/Greek Yogurt: Increases moisture and tenderness, full-fat versions provide best results.

• Cane Sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes edges, organic sugar offers deeper flavor.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure, using large fresh eggs ensures proper texture.
• Eggnog: Infuses quintessential holiday taste, selecting high-quality dairy-based eggnog maximizes flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor complexity, pure vanilla delivers most authentic taste.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates sweet coating and decorative finish, fresh sifted sugar prevents clumping.

What You’ll Use for Holiday Butter Cookie Perfection

• Mixer: Essential for creaming ingredients and creating smooth, uniform texture.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients thoroughly.
• Cookie Scoop: Helps create uniform cookie sizes and easy dough portioning.
• Baking Sheet: Provides even surface for baking cookies.
• Parchment Paper or Non-stick Spray: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and maintain crispness.
• Whisk: Useful for mixing dry ingredients smoothly.
• Spatula: Helps scrape down bowl sides and fold ingredients gently.

How to Bake Gooey Butter Cookies With Eggnog

• Creamy Cheese Base

Grab your mixer and whip cream cheese, butter, and yogurt into a silky smooth blend. This foundation will give your cookies an incredible richness.

• Sugar and Flavor Fusion

Add sugar gradually while mixing, creating a dreamy mixture. Pour in egg, eggnog, and vanilla, blending everything into a luscious batter that promises deliciousness.

• Dry Ingredient Magic

Gently fold flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg into your wet mixture. The dough will feel wonderfully soft and slightly gooey.

• Dough Relaxation

Tuck your cookie dough into the refrigerator for a cool rest. This helps develop deeper, more complex flavors.

• Cookie Transformation

Heat the oven to a toasty 350°F. Roll dough balls in powdered sugar, creating a delicate, sweet exterior. Place them on a prepared baking sheet, giving each cookie room to spread.

• Baking Perfection

Bake until edges turn golden and centers look slightly soft. The aroma of warm spices will fill your kitchen with holiday cheer.

• Final Flourish

Let cookies cool before transferring to a rack. For an extra touch of elegance, drizzle with brown butter glaze and sprinkle fresh nutmeg on top.

Simple Cookie Tricks and Eggnog Swaps

• Festive Flavor Boost: Enhance the eggnog essence by adding a splash of rum or bourbon extract to the dough for an adult-friendly twist that deepens the holiday spirit.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cookie dough up to three days in advance and store it in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to develop and making party prep a breeze.
• Texture Transformation: For extra soft cookies, slightly underbake by removing them from the oven when the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly gooey.
• Decoration Delight: Get creative with toppings by dusting with additional cinnamon, sprinkling crushed graham crackers, or drizzling with white chocolate for a festive look that wows guests.
• Storage Secrets: Keep these cookies fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to a month to enjoy the holiday treat long after the season ends.

How to Serve These Cookies During the Holidays

• Holiday Party Platter: Create a festive cookie display by arranging these eggnog cookies on a beautiful wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary and cinnamon sticks for a magical winter presentation.
• Dessert Pairing Magic: Serve these cookies alongside a warm mug of spiced apple cider or a glass of chilled eggnog to enhance the seasonal flavor profile and create a cozy holiday moment.
• Gifting Wonderland: Package these soft, gooey cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine and a small holiday tag, making them a delightful homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or friends during the festive season.
• Brunch Companion: Offer these cookies as a sweet complement to a Christmas morning breakfast spread, perfectly matching with coffee or hot chocolate for a delectable morning treat.

Store Eggnog Cookies So They Stay Soft

• Smart Storage Solutions: Seal cooled cookies in an airtight container, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for maximum 3 weeks.
• Dough Preparation Hack: Scoop and shape cookie dough balls ahead of time, storing them in freezer-safe bags. Freeze unbaked dough for convenient future baking within 2 months.
• Room Temperature Strategy: Keep cookies at cool room temperature in sealed containers, ensuring maximum freshness for 3-4 days. Separate soft and crisp cookies to maintain individual textures.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare entire cookie dough mixture up to 48 hours before baking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and deepen.

Festive Eggnog Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Gooey butter cookies infused with classic eggnog flavor bring festive cheer to holiday dessert tables. Creamy, spiced dough creates melt-in-mouth treats perfect for sharing with loved ones during Christmas celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (113 g) butter
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 ¾ cups (660 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) all-natural cane sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream or full-fat Greek yogurt
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) full-fat eggnog
• 2 tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¾ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (for rolling)
• Fresh grated nutmeg (for garnish)
• Brown butter glaze (optional)

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Instructions

1. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of spices.
2. Creamy Base Creation: Blend cream cheese, butter, and sour cream using an electric mixer until achieving a smooth, luxurious texture.
3. Sugar Integration: Gradually incorporate sugar at low speed, carefully scraping bowl sides to maintain consistent mixture.
4. Liquid Fusion: Introduce egg, eggnog, and vanilla extract, mixing until ingredients seamlessly combine into a harmonious blend.
5. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, creating a soft, slightly tacky dough. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to intensify flavors.
6. Baking Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Form dough into uniform balls, generously rolling in powdered sugar.
7. Baking Process: Arrange cookie spheres on prepared sheet with adequate spacing. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
8. Finishing Touch: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack. Optionally drizzle with brown butter glaze and sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Chill Dough Wisely: Refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes helps develop richer flavors and prevents cookies from spreading too thin during baking.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar for a classic crackled appearance and added sweetness that enhances the eggnog flavor profile.
• Baking Precision: Watch cookies carefully during the 10-12 minute baking window; golden edges indicate perfect doneness without overcooking.
• Cooling Crucial: Letting cookies rest on the baking sheet allows them to set properly, preventing crumbling and maintaining a soft, gooey texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes (per batch)
• Category: Desserts, Snacks, Drinks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 130 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg