Eggnog Cookies

'Tis the season! Break out the punch bowl...or, in this case, the cookies.

This is a tweaked and much-improved version of a recipe I improvised at Mumma's house last Christmas. This time around, I used finely ground Nilla Wafers instead of graham crackers, and I cut way back on the nutmeg.

The original cookies were good, but the graham crackers distracted from the vanilla and butter flavors I wanted to highlight, and 2 tablespoons of nutmeg were just too much. (With this potential side effect, what was I thinking?)

As far as I know, there is no eggnog extract, and store-bought eggnog alone isn't enough to impart the right amount of eggnogginess. (Update: See here.) I use a small shortcut to capture the rich, smooth, calorie-laden flavor I want: butterscotch. Melt a mere 1/4 cup of butterscotch chips and add it to wet ingredients that include (surprise!) store-bought eggnog, vanilla and rum extracts, an egg yolk, and nutmeg, and you've got yourself a super shot of flavor. (If you've got rum on hand, feel free to use it to replace or supplement the rum extract.)

To finish these cookies off, I give the dough balls a quick glaze of eggnog before baking.

Makes 3 1/2 dozen cookies. (To see this recipe in process, check out Picturing Eggnog Cookies.)

Creamables	2 stick butter 2 cups dark brown sugar 1/4 cup white sugar
Wet Ingredients	1/4 cup butterscotch chips, melted 1/4 cup store-bought eggnog 1 egg yolk 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 1 1/2 teaspoons rum extract 1 teaspoon nutmeg
Dry Ingredients	3 cups oatmeal 1 1/2 cups flour 1 cup finely ground Nilla Wafer cookies 2 teaspoons nutmeg 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt
Glaze	store-bought eggnog

1. In a small bowl, heat the butterscotch chips and eggnog in the microwave in 20-second increments until the chips melt. Stir to combine the melted chips and eggnog, and set aside to cool until Step 4.
2. Preheat oven to 350º.
3. In your Kitchen Aid or a large mixing bowl, cream together the creamables.
4. Add the egg yolk, vanilla and rum extracts, and nutmeg to the cooled butterscotch-eggnog mixture. Whisk together until smooth.
5. Add the combined wet ingredients to the creamables. Mix together until well incorporated.
6. In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, fold together until evenly distributed.
7. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the combined creamables and wet ingredients. Mix until evenly combined.
8. Shape dough into balls--about 2 tablespoons each.
9. Place the  dough balls about 2 inches apart on Silpat- or parchment paper-lined cookie sheets.
10. Glaze each dough ball with a small amount of eggnog.
    
11. Bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let stand for 2 minutes. Then place cookies on wire racks to cool.

Comments

[diana lane]

Hi Greg, I love your blog. I check in every morning to see what you have created! I intend to make one of your cookie creations for my holiday cookie trays this year. With so many to choose from however I am having a hard time making up my mind!

I wanted to let you know that if you are in the market for it; King Arthur flour online has eggnog flavor and just today free shipping.

[Em]

I have eggnog flavored coffee syrup. I think it must double as extract. It says great for baking, and I use the vanilla syrup in place of extract in all the baking I do. I was thinking I may try to use this- do you think I could do it in place of the eggnog and butterscotch? Or as an addition to the eggnog and leave out the butterscotch?
http://www.davincigourmet.com/products/product_details/?productID=171

Can't wait to make these when I get home!

[Em]

Also found this
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/detail.jsp?id=1748EGGNOG

[Judd]

Great Recipe. I printed it for my wife and i am excited to try them and let you know what i think.

[Oatmeal Cookie Guy]

Hi, Diane. Thank you so much! That is so nice of you. :-)

And thanks for the heads-up about the eggnog flavoring at the KA site. I'll add a link in this post.

[Oatmeal Cookie Guy]

Hi, Em. That's so neat...I've never heard of eggnog-flavored syrup before. I think it would be safe to replace the butterscotch chips with the syrup. I'm all for using what you've got on hand. But, not having tasted the syrup before, I'd be careful about how much I used. If it's super sweet or super potent, use just a tablespoon or two instead of a full quarter cup that would replace the butterscotch chips.

And thanks for the link the the eggnog flavoring at the KA site!

[Oatmeal Cookie Guy]

Hi, Judd. Thanks for trying out the recipe. Please do let me know what you and your wife think! :-)

[Jessa]

Hi Greg,

I'm planning to make up a batch of cookies to use as a Secret Santa gift this week. I'd love to try out these eggnog cookies since they're perfect for the holiday season, but I have some time constrains--I have to make the dough one day, store it in the fridge, and then bake them a day later. Do you think that would be okay with these cookies or will refrigeration ruin them? Thanks!

[Oatmeal Cookie Guy]

Hi, Jessa. I don't think you'll have a problem refrigerating the dough for a day before baking. In fact, check this out:

http://oatmealcookie.typepad.com/the_oatmeal_cookie_blog/2008/08/results.html

When it comes to chocolate chip cookies, the baked cookies taste best when the dough has rested for a bit. I don't see why this wouldn't work for these eggnog cookies too. :-)

[April]

Hey Greg! Thinking of making these for my family's Christmas Eve and have no idea where to find rum extract? Any hints would be great.

[Oatmeal Cookie Guy]

Hi, April! How are you?! I found the rum extract in my grocery store...right next to vanilla and other extracts. It's from McCormick. Here's a link to a pic so that you can see what it looks like:

http://www.mccormick.com/Products/Extracts-and-Food-Colors/Extracts/Imitation-Rum-Extract.aspx

If you can't find the rum extract at your grocery store, I think regular old rum will work fine!

[April]

mmmmm rum. hehe. I guess I just never noticed the extract on the shelf with the others.

Have a great holiday!!

[Oatmeal Cookie Guy]

Hi, April. Have fun in the baking aisle. :-) Happy Holidays...and say hi to your mom for me!