Thursday 8 December 2016

Eggnog Hugs #ChristmasCookies

Eggnog is one of those flavors that just tastes exactly like Christmas to me.  I get really, really, really excited when I first see it in the stores each year.  I swear it's getting earlier every year....but that doesn't matter to me.  I bought my first carton in October this year, when my youngest son gleefully pointed to it and announced "Look mom, snowman milk!!"   He's three.  So I thought this was adorable.

When I signed up to be a part of the 12 Days of #ChristmasCookies, I knew I wanted to incorporate eggnog.  I managed to come up with two eggnog cookies this year.  I've already shared one, back on December 4th, my Eggnog Biscotti.   This one is equally delicious - and fun, because it has a yummy little Hershey's Hug on each chewy, sugar coated cookie.  The sugar makes them glisten a little. These were declared a winner in my household, and I hope they will be in yours, too.  Again, be sure to check out what everyone else has baking today, by visiting each of the links at the bottom of this post!



Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
pinch salt
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar, + 3 tbsp for rolling
1/2 cup eggnog
1 tsp vanilla
30 Hershey's Hugs

Unwrap the Hugs and put them in the freezer while you make your cookies.  If they're cold, it helps them from melting into your cookies!

Beat softened butter until very creamy.  Add sugar, and continue beating until light and fluffy.  On low speed, gradually beat in eggnog, then vanilla.

Combine flour, baking soda, nutmeg, and pinch of salt in a small bowl.  Stir into the eggnog mixture until well combined.  Cover the dough and chill for approximately 1 hour.

Shape dough into 1.5 inch balls.  Roll in sugar and place about 2 inches apart on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Gently flatten (just slightly!) with a fork (or a glass if you don't like any marks).  Bake for about 11 minutes in a preheated 350F oven.  The should look just done.  Allow to cool on your baking sheet for about 2 minutes, and then place one of your frozen hugs in the center of each cookie, applying a little gentle pressure to "press" it into the middle.  Remove to fully cool on wire racks.

Enjoy!




      Welcome to the 12 Days of Cookies, hosted by Family Around the Table and Cooking With Carlee.  We will be filling the season with all kinds of delicious cookies.  Be sure to check out some of the recipes below or you can follow along on Facebook or Twitter by searching #ChristmasCookies.  We also have a 12 Days of Cookies Pinterest board where you can see all of the goodness!  May your holidays be sweet!

Day 8

Almond Butter Cookies from Cindy's Recipes and Writings 
Eggnog Hugs from Making the Most of Naptime
Hungarian Poppyseed Pinwheel Cookies from Palatable Pastime
Kourambiedes from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Melting Moments from Cooking With Carlee
Muddy Snowballs from Family Around the Table
Raspberry Coconut Cookies from Jolene's Recipe Journal

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