Ingredients
Method
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly.
Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Sheets
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This prevents sticking and helps achieve that perfect, golden edge.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest. These spices will make your kitchen smell heavenly.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugars
- In another bowl, cream together the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step might feel tedious, but it’s crucial for texture.
Step 5: Add Eggnog and Eggs
- Incorporate the eggnog, whole egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and dark rum extract into the creamed mixture. Mix until well combined.
Step 6: Combine Mixtures
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix, or your cookies may turn out tough.
Step 7: Portion the Dough
- Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 8: Bake
- Place the trays in your preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may seem soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
Step 9: Cool the Cookies
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10: Make the Frosting
- To prepare the eggnog buttercream frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and mix in the eggnog, dark rum extract, and nutmeg until smooth.
Step 11: Frost the Cookies
- Once the cookies are cooled completely, spread a dollop of frosting on each cookie.
Step 12: Serve and Enjoy!
- Your melt mouth eggnog cookies are ready to be served! Enjoy them with your chosen pairings!
Notes
- Use Room Temperature Eggs and Butter: This allows for better incorporation into the dough, leading to a smoother texture.
- Chill the Dough: If you find that your dough is too soft to handle, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This will help firm it up for easier scooping.
- Don’t Overbake: Cookies will continue to cook on the tray after taking them out of the oven. Pull them when they're just set.
- Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to tweak the sugar levels in the cookie and frosting to fit your taste preferences.
- Experiment with Flavor: If you're feeling adventurous, swap out the dark rum extract for another flavor, such as cinnamon or coconut.
