Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies
These Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies are soft cinnamon sugar snickerdoodles filled with a creamy eggnog custard. Perfect for Christmas cookie boxes, holiday parties, or a cozy night in. If you love eggnog desserts, these are a must bake! 🎄✨
Ingredients
Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- ¼ tsp salt
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
Eggnog Filling
- ½ cup eggnog
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 ½ tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Pinch cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. In a small saucepan, whisk eggnog, cornstarch, and pudding mix until smooth. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. Cover and chill.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg and vanilla. Mix until combined.
5. Mix flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a separate bowl. Fold into wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
6. In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon for coating. Roll 1 - 1.5 tbsp dough balls in the cinnamon sugar.
7. Place on baking sheet and bake 9 - 11 minutes or until edges are set and centers are soft.
8. Using a rounded tablespoon, indent the center of each cookie to hold the filling and let cookies cool completely.
9. Fill each cookie with the chilled eggnog filling. Dust with extra nutmeg if desired.
#eggnog #snickerdoodle #thumbprintcookies #holidayeats #lemon8challenge @Lemon8 Food
As a huge fan of holiday baking, these Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies have become an absolute staple in my kitchen every winter. There's something so comforting about the warm cinnamon-sugar combined with that rich, creamy eggnog filling. Over the years, I've picked up a few tips and tricks that really make these stand out, and I'm excited to share them with you! When I first started making thumbprint cookies, my biggest challenge was getting those perfect indentations without cracking the dough. I learned a trick: use the back of a rounded measuring spoon (like a tablespoon) right after they come out of the oven, while they're still warm and soft. If you wait too long, they'll crack! For extra neatness, I sometimes use the handle of a wooden spoon for a deeper, cleaner well. Another tip? Don’t press too hard, just enough to create a nice little dip for the filling. That creamy eggnog custard truly makes these Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies shine. To make sure it's super smooth and sets perfectly, whisk constantly while it's on the stove. And don't rush the chilling process – it needs that time to firm up. I often make the filling the day before to save time. When it's time to fill, a piping bag (even a Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off) makes it so much easier and neater than spooning, giving your cookies that professional bakery look. These Eggnog Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies are fantastic for gifting! They hold up well for several days in an airtight container at room temperature, although I personally prefer to keep them chilled because of the eggnog filling, especially if I’m making them ahead. For cookie boxes, I separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking or squishing. They also freeze surprisingly well! Just freeze them unfilled, then thaw and add the fresh filling when ready to serve – this is a great hack for getting a head start on holiday baking. While the eggnog filling is absolutely divine, don't be afraid to experiment! I've made snickerdoodle thumbprints with caramel filling, raspberry jam, or even a simple chocolate ganache. For a different twist on the cookie base itself, you could add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the snickerdoodle dough for an extra layer of festive spice. The beauty of thumbprint cookies is how versatile they are, allowing you to tailor them to any taste or occasion. If you find your cookies spreading too much, make sure your butter isn't too soft – just softened, not melted. Chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before rolling can also help prevent spreading. If your eggnog filling seems a bit too runny, don't panic! It might just need a little more time to cool and thicken in the fridge. Happy baking!
❤️🎄❤️🥰❤️