Eggnog Snickerdoodles – The Ultimate Christmas Cookies

Soft, festive, and bursting with classic holiday flavors, Eggnog Snickerdoodles are the ultimate Christmas cookie with a delicious twist. These irresistible treats feature chewy snickerdoodle cookies infused with creamy eggnog and warm nutmeg, all rolled in cinnamon-sugar for a perfectly spiced coating. It’s the kind of dessert that fills the whole kitchen with wonderful aromas and draws everyone straight to the cookie jar.

Each bite delivers a delightful combination of textures—soft centers, slightly crisp edges, and perfectly balanced with sweet cinnamon, warm nutmeg, and creamy eggnog notes. Whether you’re baking for holiday parties or making cookie exchange gifts, these snickerdoodles are as easy to make as they are to love. Add your favorite touches like extra nutmeg in the coating, eggnog glaze drizzle, festive sprinkles, or white chocolate chips for a colorful, customizable treat that feels like Christmas in cookie form.

Why You’ll Love These Eggnog Snickerdoodles

Holiday flavor fusion: Classic snickerdoodles meet festive eggnog for the perfect seasonal combination.
Soft and chewy texture: These cookies stay wonderfully soft for days—no hard, crunchy edges.
Perfect for gifting: Makes large batches ideal for cookie exchanges, neighbor gifts, and holiday platters.
Freezer-friendly dough: Make the dough ahead and bake fresh cookies whenever you need them.
Crowd-pleasing favorite: Everyone loves snickerdoodles, and the eggnog twist makes them extra special.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use (Essential Tools and Equipment, Plus Why They Matter)

Before diving into these delicious Eggnog Snickerdoodles, having the right tools on hand will make everything smoother—from prep to clean-up.

Essential Tools & Why You Need Them:

Baking Sheets (2-3)
These are the MVPs of the recipe. Multiple sheets allow you to keep batches moving through the oven efficiently.

Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats
Essential for preventing sticking and ensuring even baking without greasing.

Electric Mixer (Stand or Hand)
Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to light, fluffy perfection for the softest cookies.

Cookie Scoop (2-tablespoon size)
Ideal for portioning uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professionally consistent.

Small Bowl
Best for mixing the cinnamon-sugar coating that gives snickerdoodles their signature look.

Measuring Cups & Spoons
Precision matters—especially in baking where ratios affect texture and spread.

Wire Cooling Racks
For cooling cookies properly without trapping moisture and making bottoms soggy.

Having these items prepped and within reach makes the cooking process seamless and safe.

Preparation Tips

Bring butter and eggs to room temperature for at least 30 minutes—they cream better and create lighter texture.
Use real eggnog, not eggnog-flavored creamer for authentic flavor and proper texture.
Don’t overbake these cookies—they should look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them.
Roll balls in sugar immediately before baking for the best coating adhesion.
Space cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets—they spread as they bake.
Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to racks—they’re fragile when hot.

These small touches make a big difference in taste, texture, and presentation.

Ingredients for These Eggnog Snickerdoodles

Here’s everything you’ll need to bring these festive, flavor-packed cookies to life. Most of the ingredients are baking staples with holiday additions.

For the Cookie Dough:

2¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
¼ cup eggnog, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon rum extract (optional, for deeper eggnog flavor)

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:

⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Optional Add-ins:

White chocolate chips
Eggnog glaze (powdered sugar + eggnog)
Festive sprinkles
Extra nutmeg dusting
Crushed candy canes
Pearl sugar

Everything in this list balances traditional snickerdoodle flavors with festive eggnog—the soft, chewy cookies get a holiday upgrade. The add-ins are optional but give the cookies extra festive flair.

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and 1½ cups sugar on medium-high speed for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy. The mixture should be pale and increased in volume. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the eggnog, vanilla extract, and rum extract (if using). Beat until fully incorporated. The mixture may look slightly curdled—this is normal and will come together when you add the flour.

Step 4: Combine and Chill

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as no flour streaks remain. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to handle and prevents excessive spreading.

Step 5: Roll in Cinnamon-Sugar

In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the coating. Remove dough from refrigerator. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop dough and roll into balls (about 1½ inches). Roll each ball generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating completely. Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone and puffy. They will look soft and may even seem undercooked—don’t overbake! Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes (they’ll continue setting), then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Extra Eggnog Flavor: Add ½ teaspoon of rum extract to intensify the eggnog taste without adding more liquid.

Make-Ahead: The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Scoop and freeze balls, then bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes.

Glaze Option: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2–3 tablespoons eggnog for a sweet drizzle after cookies cool.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

Overbaking the cookies: These should look slightly underdone when removed. They firm up as they cool.
Using cold butter or eggs: Room temperature ingredients blend better and create the proper soft, chewy texture.
Not chilling the dough: Unchilled dough spreads too much, creating flat, crispy cookies instead of thick, soft ones.
Skipping cream of tartar: This ingredient is essential for the tangy flavor and proper texture of snickerdoodles.
Rolling cookies too large: Oversized cookies don’t bake evenly. Stick to 1½-inch balls for best results.
Not spacing cookies properly: They spread during baking and will merge together if placed too close.
Moving cookies immediately: Hot cookies are fragile and will break. Always let them cool on the pan first.
Using artificial eggnog flavor: Real eggnog provides better flavor and the right moisture content for perfect texture.

What to Serve With Eggnog Snickerdoodles?

These soft, spiced cookies are perfect on their own, but pairing them with the right accompaniments can create a complete holiday dessert spread. Whether you’re going classic or creative, there’s an option for every preference.

8 Delicious Recommendations:

Eggnog
Classic eggnog (spiked or virgin) echoes the cookie flavors and is the perfect pairing.

Hot Chocolate
Rich hot cocoa provides a chocolatey contrast to the spiced, creamy cookies.

Coffee or Latte
A warm cup of coffee balances the sweetness and enhances the spice notes.

Vanilla Ice Cream
Creamy vanilla ice cream makes these cookies perfect for ice cream sandwiches.

Spiced Cider
Warm apple cider with cinnamon complements the holiday spices beautifully.

Sugar Cookies
Mix these with classic sugar cookies for a varied holiday cookie platter.

Chocolate Truffles
Rich chocolate truffles add variety to your holiday dessert table.

Fresh Berries
Strawberries or raspberries provide a fresh contrast to the sweet, spiced cookies.

These pairings help round out the meal and bring a restaurant-level feel to your dinner table.

Storage Instructions

Eggnog Snickerdoodles stay soft and delicious—and they store beautifully.

How to Store:

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Refrigerator: For longer storage in humid climates, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Freezer: Freeze baked cookies in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray, then transfer to bags for up to 3 months.

Serving After Storage:

From Refrigerator: Let sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving for the softest texture.

From Freezer: Thaw baked cookies at room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake frozen dough balls directly from freezer, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.

Refresh Tip: Microwave cookies for 5–10 seconds to restore that fresh-baked softness.

Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving – Based on 6 Servings)

Please note this is an approximate breakdown and may vary based on exact ingredients used.

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	145
Protein	2g
Carbohydrates	22g
Dietary Fiber	0g
Sugar	13g
Total Fat	6g
Saturated Fat	3g
Unsaturated Fat	2g
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	25mg
Sodium	95mg

This treat delivers a sweet indulgence—perfect for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges in moderate portions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make Eggnog Snickerdoodles ahead of time?
Absolutely. Bake up to 1 week ahead and store airtight, or freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months.

2. Can I make these without eggnog?
You can substitute with milk plus ½ teaspoon rum extract and extra nutmeg, but the eggnog flavor won’t be as authentic.

3. Why do my cookies spread too much?
Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes and don’t use melted or too-soft butter.

4. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

5. What if I don’t have cream of tartar?
You can substitute with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, but cream of tartar gives the authentic snickerdoodle tang.

6. Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Double all ingredients. The dough and baking process remain exactly the same.

7. How do I keep cookies soft?
Store with a slice of bread in the container—it releases moisture that keeps cookies soft.

8. Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes! Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. They thaw quickly at room temperature.

Conclusion

Eggnog Snickerdoodles are the ultimate combination of classic comfort and festive flavor—all rolled into one soft, delicious cookie. With their chewy texture, warm spices, and creamy eggnog taste, they’re everything you love about holiday baking, made simple enough for anyone.

Perfect for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, or keeping a stash for yourself, these snickerdoodles are as versatile as they are delicious. Plus, with endless variation options, they never get boring. So grab your mixing bowls and make cookies something everyone looks forward to.