Easy & Festive Eggnog Cookies with Cake Mix: Your Go-To Holiday Recipe
Prepare to fall in love with these incredibly easy eggnog cookies! Crafted effortlessly with a simple cake mix and a handful of everyday ingredients, these homemade treats are designed for maximum holiday cheer with minimal effort. They boast a delightful soft and chewy texture, making them an absolute must-have for Christmas holiday parties, festive gatherings, and cookie exchanges. Whether you prefer them plain, drizzled with a rich glaze, or adorned with creamy frosting, these quick eggnog cookies are guaranteed to be a seasonal favorite.
Even if you’re not the biggest fan of eggnog, the beloved holiday drink, we have a strong feeling you’ll absolutely adore this recipe. These easy eggnog cookies strike the perfect balance: wonderfully soft on the inside with a delightful slight crispness on the outside. Each bite delivers a rich, perfectly spiced flavor that captures the essence of the holidays without being overwhelming. The unique blend of warm spices is incredibly balanced, making these an approachable and universally loved treat. Just like our cherished Classic Spritz Cookies and always popular Sugar Cookies, these cake mix eggnog cookies are set to become a festive staple in your holiday baking repertoire.
Key Ingredients for Easy Eggnog Cookies
The beauty of this easy eggnog cookie recipe lies in its simplicity, thanks to a few key ingredients that come together to create that irresistible holiday flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Unsalted Butter: Ensure your butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming with other ingredients. Using unsalted butter gives you control over the overall saltiness of your cookies, allowing the sweet and spiced flavors to truly shine.
- Large Eggs: Like the butter, eggs should be at room temperature. This helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter, leading to a more consistent and tender cookie texture. Large eggs are standard for most baking recipes.
- Eggnog: The star of the show! You can use your favorite store-bought eggnog for convenience or whip up a batch of homemade eggnog if you’re feeling ambitious. Its rich, creamy, and spiced profile is what gives these cookies their signature holiday flavor.
- Vanilla Cake Mix: This is our secret weapon for incredibly easy and consistently delicious cookies. A standard 15.25 oz box of vanilla cake mix (either yellow or white) works perfectly. It provides a reliable base that eliminates the need for measuring multiple dry ingredients, saving you time and effort.
- Nutmeg Powder: Essential for enhancing the classic eggnog flavor. A touch of nutmeg complements the rich dairy notes and adds that warm, comforting spice that defines eggnog.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent is crucial for giving the cookies their perfect rise and a wonderfully soft, slightly chewy texture. It helps them expand beautifully during baking, preventing dense cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: Used for rolling the cookie dough balls before baking. This step is key to creating that slight crunchy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior, and it adds a lovely sparkle to the finished cookies.
How to Make Easy Eggnog Cookies with Cake Mix
Creating these delightful eggnog cookies is surprisingly straightforward, even for novice bakers. The cake mix does most of the heavy lifting, ensuring a consistent and delicious result every time. Follow these simple steps for perfect holiday cookies:
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, large eggs, and eggnog until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This forms the creamy base for your cookie dough.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the vanilla cake mix, nutmeg powder, and baking powder to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until everything is just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This crucial step makes the dough much easier to handle, prevents excessive spreading during baking, and contributes to a better texture.
- Prepare and Roll: Once chilled, scoop out small, uniform portions of the dough. Gently roll them between your palms to form smooth balls. For a slightly flatter, more classic cookie appearance, you can lightly press down on the tops of the dough balls. Roll each ball generously in granulated sugar to coat evenly.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the sugar-coated cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still soft.
- Cool and Glaze (Optional): Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once at room temperature, you can optionally drizzle them with a simple eggnog glaze for an extra burst of flavor and a beautiful finish. Then, simply enjoy your festive creations!
Creative Variations for Your Eggnog Cookies
While these easy eggnog cookies are absolutely delicious on their own, they also serve as a fantastic base for creative variations. Feel free to experiment and make them uniquely yours!
- Make Thumbprint Cookies: Transform these into charming thumbprint cookies! Before baking, gently press your thumb (or the back of a rounded measuring teaspoon) into the center of each cookie dough ball to create an indentation. If the indentation isn’t deep enough after baking, simply use the back of your spoon to re-create it while the cookies are still warm. Once cooled, fill these little wells with your favorite fillings like fruit jams, chocolate hazelnut spread, Chocolate Ganache, Homemade Caramel Sauce, Homemade Dulce De Leche, or even a dollop of pie filling. The possibilities are endless!
- Drizzle a Delicious Glaze: For an extra layer of sweetness and eggnog flavor, a simple glaze is perfect. My Powdered Sugar Glaze (Vanilla Cake Glaze) recipe is ideal. Just combine powdered sugar with a splash of eggnog (or milk) and a hint of vanilla extract until you reach a smooth, drizzling consistency. Drizzle it over cooled cookies for an elegant finish. You can also add a tiny dash of rum extract to the glaze for an adult-friendly touch!
- Turn Them into Cookie Sandwiches: Elevate your eggnog cookies into decadent cookie sandwiches! Once completely cooled, pipe a generous layer of American Buttercream Frosting (perhaps flavored with a little more eggnog or a pinch of cinnamon) between two cookies. Alternatively, for a simpler approach, you can just frost the top of each cookie with a swirl of buttercream.
- Roll in Powdered Sugar: For a completely different look and texture, skip the granulated sugar roll and instead, roll your chilled dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. As they bake, the powdered sugar will melt and then reform into a beautiful crinkled, snow-like coating. These will have a softer exterior compared to the granulated sugar version but will still taste amazing and look charmingly festive, similar to Snowball Cookies (Wedding Cookies) or my Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix).
Expert Tips for Perfect Eggnog Cookies
Achieving the perfect batch of soft, chewy, and flavorful eggnog cookies is simple when you keep these expert tips in mind. These little tricks will ensure your cake mix cookies turn out flawlessly every time:
- Use Unsalted Butter: Always opt for unsalted butter in baking recipes, especially when the amount of salt in the cake mix or other ingredients is unknown. This prevents your delicious treats from becoming overly salty and allows you to control the seasoning precisely.
- Avoid Substituting Butter with Oil: Butter provides crucial fat content and flavor that is essential for the structure and richness of these cookies. Replacing it with oil will significantly alter the texture, often resulting in flatter, greasier cookies that lack that characteristic chewiness.
- Store-Bought vs. Homemade Eggnog: The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility! Feel free to use your favorite store-bought eggnog for ultimate convenience, or, if you have a cherished family recipe, homemade eggnog will add an extra layer of authentic flavor. Both options yield delicious results.
- Cake Mix Choice Matters (but not brand!): Any brand of vanilla-flavored cake mix will work beautifully. Whether it’s Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, Pillsbury, or another, the key is to choose a standard 15.25 oz box of either white or yellow cake mix. The slight color difference between white and yellow cake mix will only minimally affect the final appearance and not the flavor profile.
- Do Not Over-mix the Dough: Once you’ve added the dry ingredients (cake mix, nutmeg, baking powder), mix only until they are just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain. Over-mixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies rather than the desired soft and chewy texture.
- Chilling the Cookie Dough is Essential: This step is non-negotiable for perfectly shaped and textured cookies. Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, making the dough much easier to handle and roll into balls. More importantly, it prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they maintain their shape and thickness. Don’t skip this!
- The Glaze is Optional but Recommended: While the cookies are fantastic on their own, the optional eggnog glaze truly takes them over the top. It not only adds a beautiful sheen and a touch of sweetness but also significantly enhances and intensifies that distinct eggnog flavor, making each bite even more festive.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking, ensures even baking, and makes for super easy cleanup.
- Don’t Overbake: For soft and chewy cookies, keep an eye on them. Bake just until the edges are firm and lightly golden, and the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking leads to dry, crumbly cookies.
Eggnog Cookies FAQs
Got questions about baking with eggnog or troubleshooting your cookies? We’ve got answers to some common queries!
Absolutely, yes! Eggnog is a wonderfully versatile ingredient for both baked and no-bake desserts. Its rich, creamy texture and distinct spiced flavor infuse cakes, cupcakes, muffins, custards, and, of course, cookies with a festive taste that is perfect for the holiday season. It can often replace milk or cream in recipes, adding an extra layer of richness.
There are a few common reasons why cookies might spread excessively. The most frequent culprit is not chilling the dough long enough (or at all!). Chilling helps solidify the butter, preventing it from melting too quickly in the oven. Inaccurate ingredient measurements, particularly too much butter or too little flour (from the cake mix), can also cause spreading. Ensure your butter is at room temperature but not melted, and always measure precisely. Oven temperature issues, such as an oven that isn’t hot enough, can also contribute to spreading.
Yes, these eggnog cookies are excellent for making ahead! You can prepare the dough and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days before baking. Alternatively, you can bake the cookies completely and then store them as directed in the “Storage” section below. For ultimate convenience, you can even freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls.
While nutmeg is a classic pairing with eggnog, you can certainly substitute it with other warm spices if you don’t have it on hand. A pinch of cinnamon, a dash of allspice, or even a tiny amount of ground cloves could work. A “pumpkin pie spice” blend also contains many of these flavors and could be a good substitute. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.
For an adult-friendly treat, you can absolutely add a splash of your favorite spirits! A teaspoon or two of rum, brandy, or bourbon can be added to the cookie dough along with the eggnog, or incorporated into the glaze for a more pronounced flavor. Adjust to your taste preferences, but start with small amounts to avoid altering the dough’s consistency too much.
Storage Instructions for Eggnog Cookies
Proper storage is key to keeping your delicious eggnog cookies fresh and flavorful. Here’s how to store them, whether they’re glazed or plain, for maximum enjoyment:
- Room Temperature: Unglazed eggnog cookies can be stored in an airtight cookie jar or container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
- Refrigerate: If your cookies are glazed or frosted, or if you simply prefer them chilled, store them in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The glaze will help keep them moist.
- Freeze: These cookies freeze beautifully! For unglazed cookies, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature. If you plan to glaze them, do so after thawing. Glazed cookies can also be frozen, but the glaze might become slightly sticky or crack upon thawing.
- Make Ahead: This recipe is perfect for advance preparation. You can make the dough 1-2 days ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator. Simply roll and bake when you’re ready. Baked cookies can also be made 1-2 days in advance and stored at room temperature or refrigerated, depending on if they are glazed.
More Doctored Cake Mix Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed the simplicity and deliciousness of these cake mix eggnog cookies, you’re in for a treat! Cake mix is a fantastic shortcut for creating a wide variety of desserts with minimal effort. Explore more of our favorite “doctored” cake mix recipes:
- Cake Mix Pumpkin Donuts
- Easy Pumpkin Cake With Cake Mix
- Easy Apple Cake With Cake Mix
- Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
- Cake Mix Chocolate M&M Cookies
- Easy Cake Mix Brownies
- Easy Cake Mix Gingerbread Cookies
- Cake Mix Champagne Cupcakes
- Christmas Cranberry Cake With Cake Mix
Recipe Card
Easy Eggnog Cookies (Cake Mix)
Abeer Rizvi
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Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Butter Unsalted, Room temperature
- 2 Eggs Large
- ¼ cup Eggnog
- 1 box Cake mix Yellow or white, Must be a 15.25 oz cake box
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 cup Granulated sugar For rolling cookie dough balls
Eggnog Glaze (Optional)
- 2 tablespoon Eggnog
- 1-2 cups Powdered sugar Adjust, based on the consistency you want
Instructions
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In a mixing bowl, add softened butter, large eggs, and eggnog. Mix them together until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
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Add the cake mix, nutmeg, and baking powder. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are just combined with the wet, being careful not to over-mix the dough.
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Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step is essential for easier handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
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Scoop out small, uniform portions of the chilled dough and roll them into smooth balls. If you prefer flatter cookies, you can flatten them VERY slightly with your palm.
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Roll each dough ball generously in a bowl of granulated sugar until fully coated. Place the sugar-coated balls on a cookie tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring adequate spacing.
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Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are firm and lightly golden brown. The centers should still look slightly soft.
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Optional Glaze Preparation: While the cookies are baking or cooling, prepare the eggnog glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggnog and powdered sugar until you achieve a thick, smooth drizzling consistency. Adjust powdered sugar as needed.
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Once the cookies have cooled down completely on a wire rack, drizzle them with the prepared eggnog glaze if desired. Let the glaze set, then serve and enjoy your festive cookies!
Notes
- Please refer to the “Tips and Techniques” section above for detailed advice on ingredients, mixing, and baking to ensure the best results.
- Unglazed cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Glazed cookies should be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and glaze integrity.
- To freeze unbaked cookie dough, form balls, place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.
- Consider adding a tiny pinch of freshly grated nutmeg to the granulated sugar rolling mixture for an extra aromatic kick.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.