Irresistible Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprints Recipe for the Holidays

Festive baking reaches new heights with this delightful eggnog snickerdoodle thumbprints recipe that captures the essence of holiday cheer.

Warm cinnamon and creamy eggnog blend seamlessly in these tender cookies.

Each bite promises a nostalgic journey through classic holiday flavors.

The soft, buttery snickerdoodle base provides a perfect canvas for the rich, velvety filling.

Delicate thumbprint indentations cradle a luscious center that melts in your mouth.

These cookies transform ordinary dessert time into a celebration of seasonal comfort.

Prepare to impress and delight everyone at your holiday gathering with this irresistible treat.

Holiday Cookie Magic: What Makes It Special

Whip Up Holiday Cheer: Quick and Festive Baking

• Beginner-Friendly Delight: Perfect for novice bakers with simple mixing and shaping steps, requiring minimal culinary skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Irresistible cinnamon-sugar coating and creamy eggnog ganache make these cookies a guaranteed hit at holiday gatherings.
• Stress-Free Preparation: Straightforward recipe with basic ingredients and easy techniques, allowing even busy home bakers to create impressive treats without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customizable Festivity: Optional rum addition and fresh nutmeg topping let you personalize the cookies to match your holiday mood and taste preferences.

Ingredient Essentials for Holiday Cookie Magic

• Butter: The rich foundation that provides tender texture and deep flavor to the cookies.
• White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that help create a soft, caramelized cookie structure.

• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, classic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookies.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that gives structure to the cookie.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking.
• Cream of Tartar: Adds slight tanginess and helps create a soft, chewy texture.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the sweet flavors in the cookie.

• Cinnamon Sugar: A warm, sweet mixture for rolling the cookie dough balls.
• White Chocolate, Eggnog, Rum (Optional): Creates a rich, creamy ganache filling with holiday flavors.

• Nutmeg: Adds a warm, aromatic spice to complete the holiday cookie experience.

Baking Steps for Magical Holiday Cookies

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Get your oven warmed up to a toasty 350F.

This ensures your cookies will bake perfectly golden and delicious.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugars

In a stand mixer, beat together butter and sugars until the mixture becomes light, airy, and looks like fluffy clouds.

This creates the perfect base for your holiday cookies.

Step 3: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Add the egg and vanilla to your butter mixture.

Beat until everything becomes smooth and creamy, creating a rich foundation for your cookies.

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Cream of tartar
• Salt

Stir until a thick, delectable dough forms that’s ready to be transformed into magical holiday treats.

Step 5: Shape Delightful Cookies

Roll the dough into small 1-tablespoon balls.

Give them a luxurious roll in cinnamon sugar, then create a charming thumbprint indentation in the center of each cookie.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place cookies in the oven and bake for 7 minutes.

When they come out, gently press the centers again if they’ve puffed up, ensuring a beautiful shape.

Step 7: Craft Decadent Ganache

• White chocolate
• Eggnog
• Optional rum

Heat in short intervals, stirring between each.

Add a sprinkle of nutmeg for extra festive flavor.

Step 8: Finish with Festive Flair

Carefully add a half teaspoon of the creamy ganache into each cookie’s center.

Top with a light dusting of fresh nutmeg for a final touch of holiday magic.

Cookie Magic – Pro Baker Tips

• Use exact measurements for flour and sugar to ensure consistent cookie texture and prevent dry or overly dense results.
• Allow butter and egg to reach room temperature before mixing for smoother, more evenly blended batter.
• Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Stir white chocolate mixture gently and avoid overheating to prevent seizing or burning the chocolate.
• Store cookies in airtight container with parchment between layers to maintain freshness and prevent sticking.

Ways to Add Magic to Holiday Cookies

• Gluten-Free Holiday Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Dairy-Free Dream: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, use dairy-free white chocolate for ganache, and swap eggnog with almond or oat milk.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of regular sugar, reduce amount of ganache, and replace white chocolate with sugar-free white chocolate chips.
• Spice Lover's Version: Add extra spices like cardamom, ginger, and cloves to the cookie dough, increase nutmeg in ganache, and sprinkle chili powder for a warm kick.

Serving Holiday Cookie Magic in Style

• Festive Cookie Party Platter: Arrange cookies on a decorative holiday tray, creating a stunning centerpiece for gatherings.
• Eggnog Pairing Perfection: Serve warm cookies alongside chilled eggnog for a classic seasonal treat that celebrates traditional flavors.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags, tie with festive ribbons, and create delightful homemade edible gifts for friends and family.
• Dessert Presentation Flair: Dust cookies with extra nutmeg, place on elegant white plates, and garnish with small cinnamon sticks for sophisticated visual appeal.

Storing Holiday Cookie Magic Properly

• Store in airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping layers separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for 2-3 months without ganache filling for best texture.
• Keep ganache-filled cookies in cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight, consuming within 2 days for maximum freshness.
• Separate ganache from cookies if not serving immediately, refrigerating in sealed container for up to 1 week and adding to cookies just before serving.

FAQs

• What ingredients give these cookies their holiday flavor?

The cinnamon sugar coating, white chocolate eggnog ganache, and fresh nutmeg create the festive holiday taste profile.

• Can I make the ganache without alcohol?

Yes, simply omit the rum or replace it with eggnog for a non-alcoholic version that still maintains rich flavor.

• How do I get a perfect thumbprint shape?

Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to gently press an indentation while cookies are warm, which helps create a clean well for the ganache.

• What makes the texture of these cookies special?

The cream of tartar helps create a soft, tender cookie with a slight crackle on the outside and a delicate, rich interior.

Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprints Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive holiday spirits come alive in this Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprints recipe, blending nostalgic cinnamon warmth with creamy eggnog. Rich cookie dough nestles a luscious filling, promising delightful moments of seasonal cheer for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 245 grams (1 3/4 cups) all purpose flour
• 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 medium egg (50g), room temperature

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons cinnamon (for rolling)

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 4 ounces white chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons eggnog
• 1 tablespoon dark rum or 1/4 teaspoon rum extract (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
2. In a stand mixer, whip butter and sugars until they transform into a pale, airy mixture with soft peaks.
3. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture becomes smooth and homogeneous.
4. Gradually fold in flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt, mixing until a cohesive dough emerges.
5. Craft small spherical portions of dough, gently coating each in a cinnamon sugar blend and creating a delicate thumbprint indentation.
6. Transfer cookies to a lined baking sheet, baking for approximately 7 minutes until edges turn golden; lightly press centers again while still warm if needed.
7. Prepare ganache by microwaving white chocolate, eggnog, and optional rum in short intervals, stirring between each to prevent scorching; incorporate nutmeg for enhanced flavor.
8. Once cookies have cooled slightly, delicately fill each thumbprint with a half-teaspoon of ganache, finishing with a light dusting of fresh nutmeg for an elegant touch.

Notes

• Elevate texture by ensuring butter is room temperature, creating smoother, more consistent cookie dough.
• Customize flavor by experimenting with different spices like cardamom or ginger in cinnamon sugar coating.
• Prevent over-spreading by chilling dough for 30 minutes before shaping and baking.
• Make gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for sensitive diets.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg