Title: Cozy Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies
As the leaves turn golden and the air begins to chill, it’s time to embrace the warmth of the season with a touch of sweetness. Nestled in the heart of my holiday kitchen, the delightful scent of baking cookies brings me back to memories of cozy gatherings, laughter, and the joyous anticipation of sharing treats with loved ones. Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that captures all those comforting feelings: Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies. These cinnamon-sugar coated delights are filled with a creamy white chocolate and eggnog mixture that embodies the spirit of the holiday season. This is one you’ll definitely want to pin for later!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy Holiday Flavor: Infused with the rich warmth of eggnog and a hint of nutmeg, these cookies are a festive treat that truly tastes like the holidays.
- Childhood Nostalgia: These thumbprint cookies take the classic snickerdoodle and elevate it to a whole new level of comfort—perfect for reminiscing about those charming childhood memories.
- Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these cookies can be whipped up in no time, making them perfect for a last-minute holiday gathering.
- Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Everyone loves a good cookie, and these Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprints are sure to impress at any holiday cookie swap or family celebration.
- Customize to Your Taste: With a few creative twists, you can make these cookies your own, turning a classic recipe into a unique masterpiece.
What You’ll Need
To get started on these delightful cookies, gather the following simple ingredients:
- 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup light brown sugar, gently packed
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 medium egg (about 50 grams), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 245 grams all-purpose flour (about 2 cups if measured by volume – see notes)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/3 cup sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 4 ounces white chocolate, chopped or broken into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons eggnog
- 1 tablespoon non-alcoholic rum substitute or 1/4 teaspoon rum extract *optional – see notes
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Let’s Make It Together
Ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of baked cookies? Here’s how to create these Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies step by step:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the unsalted butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, stopping to scrape down the sides once.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy and well combined, scraping the bowl again.
- Gradually add the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. If your ingredients are lumpy, feel free to sift them together first. Mix until a thick dough forms.
- Scoop the dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls (about 15 grams if you want to be precise). Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture, then place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Using a ½ teaspoon measuring spoon or your thumb, press down in the center of each cookie ball. If you notice any cracks form, simply press the dough back together gently.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 7 minutes. If the indentation fills in during baking, give it a gentle press with your measuring spoon while they are still warm.
- For the filling, combine the chopped white chocolate, eggnog, and non-alcoholic rum substitute (if using) in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted. If you’d like, stir in freshly grated nutmeg.
- The filling may be loose at first, but don’t worry—it will thicken as it cools. Fill each cookie with about 1/2 teaspoon of the filling and top with a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.
- Allow the filling to set for a few hours at room temperature, or pop them in the refrigerator if you want them to set more quickly.
Variations & Creative Twists
Feel free to sprinkle in some creativity! Here are some fun ways to customize your Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies:
- Spice It Up: Add different spices like ground ginger or cinnamon to the dough for an extra festive kick.
- Nutty Surprise: Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts into the cookie dough for added crunch and flavor.
- Drizzle of Chocolate: Once the filling has set, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cookies for a rich contrast.
- Fruity Filling: Swap out the eggnog filling for a zesty orange or cranberry filling for a fresh twist.
Chef Emma’s Helpful Tips
Here are a few of my best kitchen secrets to ensure your Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies turn out perfect every time:
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the dough a day in advance. Just store it in the fridge and bake when you’re ready!
- Ingredient Swaps: If you don’t have eggnog, a mix of milk and vanilla can work in a pinch to keep that creamy texture.
- Storage Suggestions: Keep these delicious cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to a week!
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls, then bake them straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute to the baking time.
Nutrition Information per Serving
- Serving Size: 1 Cookie
- Calories: 130
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 8g
- Fat: 5g
- Protein: 1g
- Sodium: 40mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this ahead? Yes! The dough can be made and chilled a day before baking.
- Can I use different ingredients? Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with substitutes like almond flour or dairy-free options.
- How do I store leftovers? Place cookies in an airtight container and store at room temperature to maintain their freshness.
- How long does it last? These cookies stay delicious for up to a week at room temperature, or longer in the refrigerator.
Wrapping It Up
These Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a celebration of the warmth, joy, and togetherness that the holiday season embodies. Each bite is a tender reminder of cozy gatherings and sweet memories made with family and friends. Save this delicious recipe to your Holiday Treats board so it’s ready when you need a cozy dessert! Happy baking!
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Cozy Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful thumbprint cookies infused with eggnog and nutmeg, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup light brown sugar, gently packed
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 medium egg (about 50 grams), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 245 grams all-purpose flour (about 2 cups if measured by volume)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/3 cup sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 4 ounces white chocolate, chopped or broken into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons eggnog
- 1 tablespoon non-alcoholic rum substitute or 1/4 teaspoon rum extract (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a stand mixer, cream unsalted butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy.
- Gradually add flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Mix until a thick dough forms.
- Scoop the dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and press down in the center of each cookie ball.
- Bake for 7 minutes, pressing down again if the indentation fills.
- For the filling, microwave chopped white chocolate, eggnog, and optional rum substitute until melted.
- Fill each cookie with about 1/2 teaspoon of the filling and sprinkle with nutmeg.
- Allow the filling to set before serving.
Notes
You can prepare the dough a day in advance and store in the fridge. Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cookies, holiday, eggnog, thumbprint, snickerdoodle