Classic gingerbread cut-outs topped with creamy eggnog icing and a fine dusting of nutmeg.
The eggnog flavor comes from the icing layered over the cooled gingerbread. Keep the icing thick and add extra liquid only by drops. Use the stated storage guidance for the dairy topping, and finish close to serving for the clearest cookie texture.
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Eggnog Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
Per tray: 8–12 minutes · about 3 trays of similar-size shapes
Allow 186 minutes: 40 hands-on, 60 chilling, 36 for all baking trays, 20 cooling and 30 icing setting. Cooling includes the pan rest. Optional decoration, ingredient warm-up and extra trays add time.
Kitchen tools you’ll need
- Digital scale, 1 g increments (0.1 g for small spice weights)
- Small saucepan and a large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin with ¼ inch (6 mm) thickness guides
- Cookie cutters, about 3 inches (7.5 cm)
- Two light-colored aluminum baking sheets, about 13 × 18 inches (33 × 46 cm), and parchment
- Wide spatula, wire cooling rack and oven thermometer
Ingredients
Cookie dough
Spice blend
Eggnog icing
Scale ingredients and US equivalents, including eggs. Keep cookie size, thickness, oven temperature and baking time per tray unchanged. More trays add time; weigh beaten egg for fractional batches.
Instructions
Melt & season
- Gently melt butter over low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in sugar, molasses, salt and spices until evenly combined. Let cool until lukewarm before beating in the egg.
Combine
- Whisk flour with baking powder and baking soda, then mix into the wet ingredients until no dry flour remains. Dough will be sticky; do not add more flour.
Firm the dough
- Divide into two flattened rectangles, wrap tightly and refrigerate at least 60 minutes, until cold and firm enough to roll. Chilling firms the butter and lets the flour hydrate.
Shape
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C) conventional, or 320°F (160°C) fan. Lightly flour a clean worktop and rolling pin. Roll one portion ¼ inch (6 mm) thick; cut 3 inches (7.5 cm) shapes. Gather scraps gently; keep the other portion cold.
Check doneness
- Place on parchment-lined pans about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Bake one tray at a time for 8–12 minutes. Check at 8 minutes, especially with fan: edges should darken slightly and surfaces look set. Smaller shapes finish sooner.
Cool before icing
- Rest on the pan 5 minutes until safe to lift, then transfer to a rack for about 15 minutes or until fully cool.
Mix eggnog icing
- Whisk confectioners sugar, pasteurized eggnog and nutmeg to a thick spreadable icing. If needed add extra eggnog a few drops at a time. Spread a thin layer or pipe details onto cold cookies. Let settle 30 minutes in a cool room, then refrigerate; it stays softer than royal icing.
Chef’s Science & Pro Tips
Use pasteurized eggnog
Commercial pasteurized eggnog gives a controlled dairy icing without raw egg.
Keep icing thick
Add extra liquid by drops so icing stays on the cookie instead of running off.
Serve freshly topped
The icing adds moisture over time; finish close to serving for the clearest cookie texture.
Storage and make-ahead
| Method | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | Up to 2 hours | Serve briefly, then refrigerate. Above 90°F, limit to 1 hour. |
| Refrigeration | Up to 3 days | Keep eggnog-iced cookies airtight and refrigerated. |
| Raw freezing | Up to 1 month | Freeze sealed unbaked portions airtight. Thaw covered in the refrigerator before baking. |
| Baked freezing | Up to 2 months | Freeze plain baked cookies; thaw and add fresh eggnog icing. |
| Restoring | 10–15 minutes | Let refrigerated cookies soften briefly before serving. Do not overheat the filling. |
Notes
- The eggnog flavor is in the creamy nutmeg icing, not a liquid substitution in the gingerbread dough. Use pasteurized commercial eggnog, not raw homemade eggnog. Refrigerate finished cookies and serve briefly at room temperature.
Nutrition
Estimated nutrition per serving; brands and portion sizes vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eggnog mixed into the dough?
No. It is used in the nutmeg icing, so the rolled dough keeps its reliable proportions.
Does eggnog icing dry hard?
It settles but stays softer than royal icing. Refrigerate and avoid stacking decorated surfaces.
Can I use homemade raw eggnog?
Use pasteurized commercial eggnog for this uncooked topping.
Browse more cookie ideas in the Gingerbread Cookies Ideas collection.
