These Eggnog Snickerdoodles are the perfect cookie for the holidays if you want one that feels like a hug.
They’re soft, chewy, wonderfully spiced, and taste just like eggnog.
These cookies have all the things we love about classic snickerdoodles: soft centers, crunchy edges, and cinnamon-sugar sweetness. Plus, they have a holiday twist.
During the holidays, I love creating them with my kids.
We roll the dough into balls, cover them in the delicious spiced sugar, and put them in the oven.
They’re quick and easy, and they always go over well at holiday parties or cookie swaps. You’ll enjoy how easy they are to prepare, and believe me, everyone will want the recipe!
What You’ll Need
- Big basin for mixing
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Spoons and cups for measuring
- A spatula or wooden spoon
- Small bowls for the coating
- A baking sheet
- Paper for the parchment
- Rack for cooling
What You Will Need
For the cookies:
- ( ) 2 ¾ cups of flour for all purposes
- ( ) Two teaspoons of cream of tartar
- ( ) 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- ( ) ½ teaspoon of salt
- ( ) 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ( ) ½ teaspoon of nutmeg
- ( ) 1 cup of softened butter without salt
- ( ) 1 ¼ cups of sugar that has been granulated
- ( ) ¼ cup of brown sugar
- ( ) One big egg
- ( ) 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ( ) ¼ cup of eggnog
For the sugar and cinnamon coating:
- ( ) 3 tablespoons of sugar that has been granulated
- ( ) 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ( ) ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
How to Make Snickerdoodles with Eggnog
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a medium bowl.
- In a big bowl (or stand mixer), whisk the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until they are light and fluffy. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and eggnog until the mixture is smooth.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ones, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Put the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl and stir them together. Make 1-inch balls out of the dough, then cover them well with the spiced sugar mix.
- Put the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving 2 inches between them. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C), or until the edges are firm and the centers look soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool all the way down.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t leave out the cream of tartar; it’s what makes snickerdoodles taste and feel like they do. You will lose that special texture if you leave it out.
- Use Ingredients at Room Temperature: Softened butter and eggnog blend better with the dry ingredients, which makes the dough excellent.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough is too sticky, put it in the fridge for 30 minutes. This also helps the cookies stay in form.
- Let the kids go! Kids love rolling the dough balls in the sugar and cinnamon. It’s a fun and simple thing for kids to do.
- Watch the Bake Time: The snickerdoodles should look like they’re just set when they come out. As they cool, they will keep cooking a little bit, which will keep them soft and chewy.
Changes and substitutions
- No eggnog? Instead of eggnog, use heavy cream and add an extra ½ teaspoon of nutmeg.
- Use a gluten-free flour alternative in a 1:1 ratio.
- For more flavor, add a few cloves to the cinnamon-sugar mix.
- Frosted Version: For an extra festive touch, drizzle an eggnog glaze (powdered sugar and a splash of eggnog) on top.
How to Plan Ahead
You can prepare the dough as much as two days ahead of time. Wrap it up well and put it in the fridge. Let it settle at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling it into balls.
Storing and using leftovers
You can keep the cookies for up to five days at room temperature in an airtight container. You can freeze them for up to three months if you want to keep them longer. Let it thaw at room temperature before eating.
These Eggnog Snickerdoodles are like all your favorite holiday treats in one small cookie.
They taste like eggnog, are soft and spicy, and are great for family get-togethers, baking with the kids, or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve.