These lovely white chocolate covered eggnog cookies are perfect for the holidays! Soft and flavorful, they bring the creamy taste of eggnog right into your cookie jar.
With each bite, you get a sweet cookie and a rich white chocolate coat—who can resist that? I always keep some on hand to impress guests or just for a cozy treat at home!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of the cookie. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, consider using a 1:1 gluten-free blend. I’ve found that blends with xanthan gum work the best for texture.
Baking Spices: Nutmeg and cinnamon are essential for that classic eggnog flavor. If you prefer a stronger spice profile, you can add a bit more nutmeg or try a pinch of ginger. The ground cloves are optional, but I think they add a nice depth.
Eggnog: Use store-bought eggnog for convenience. If it’s not available or if you prefer homemade, mix milk with a little cream, sugar, and nutmeg to create a similar taste. Vegan eggnog works too!
White Chocolate: The coating really brings these cookies together. If you’re looking for a dairy-free version, try using a vegan white chocolate alternative.
How Do You Achieve Soft Cookies with the Right Texture?
To get perfectly soft cookies, focus on two things: mixing and baking time. Here’s a simple guide:
- Cream the butter and sugars well until light and fluffy. This adds air for softness.
- Avoid overmixing the dough after adding the flour—just mix until combined.
- Bake until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. They’ll firm up as they cool!
- Follow the cooling times: cooling on a wire rack prevents them from steaming too much and losing their softness.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you achieve delectable, soft cookies every time!
White Chocolate Covered Eggnog Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup eggnog
For the White Chocolate Coating:
- 8 oz white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
- Sprinkles in red, green, and white for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe will take about 20 minutes to prepare, then an additional 12 minutes to bake. You’ll also want to set aside 30-60 minutes for the white chocolate to fully set after coating the cookies. Altogether, you can expect this treat to be ready in about 1 hour and 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and optional cloves. This will ensure that all the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed in your cookie dough.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, take your softened butter and mix it with granulated sugar and brown sugar. Cream these together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Next, add the eggs to the butter mixture one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Afterward, stir in the vanilla extract to enhance that lovely flavor.
5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, it’s time to bring it all together! Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, alternating with the eggnog. Start and end with the flour mixture. Be careful not to overmix; just stir until everything is combined.
6. Scoop the Dough:
Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, drop dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
7. Bake the Cookies:
Slide those sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges to be set but the centers to look slightly soft—trust me, they’ll firm up as they cool!
8. Cool the Cookies:
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare the White Chocolate Coating:
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips. Do this in 20-second intervals, stirring each time, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
10. Coat the Cookies:
Once the cookies are completely cool, dip the top side of each cookie into the melted white chocolate or use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over them. Get creative if you want!
11. Add the Sprinkles:
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle the festive colored sprinkles on top for a fun and merry touch.
12. Let the Chocolate Set:
Finally, place the cookies on parchment paper and let the chocolate set at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes. You can speed this up by putting them in the fridge.
13. Serve and Enjoy:
Your delightful White Chocolate Covered Eggnog Cookies are now ready to be devoured! Perfect for holiday gatherings or just a cozy night in.
This recipe yields soft, flavorful cookies that embody the warm spices and creamy essence of eggnog, perfectly enhanced by the sweet white chocolate topping and festive sprinkles. Happy baking!
Can I Use Different Types of Chocolate for Coating?
Absolutely! While white chocolate gives a lovely sweet complement to the eggnog flavor, you can use dark or milk chocolate if you prefer a richer taste. Just remember to adjust the sweetness of the cookies if you switch to dark chocolate, as it tends to be more intense.
Can I Make These Cookies Without Eggnog?
Yes, you can substitute the eggnog with an equal amount of milk or half-and-half mixed with a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon to mimic the flavor. If you want a dairy-free option, use a non-dairy milk and add those spices for flavor as well!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’d like them to keep longer, you can refrigerate them, though they’ll be best enjoyed fresh. Alternatively, you can freeze the baked cookies (without coating) for up to 3 months!
Can I Add Additional Flavorings?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in some chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a splash of rum extract for extra flavor. Just be sure not to overload the dough, as it may affect the texture of the cookies.
