Eggnog Thumbprints: Buttery Holiday Cookies with a Creamy Rum-Kissed Center
Nothing says Christmas like the warm spice of eggnog baked into a tender, buttery cookie. These Eggnog Thumbprints are little snow-capped jewels: crisp-edged, nutmeg-scented dough cradling a silky eggnog icing that tastes like you’ve bottled the holidays. One bite and you’re standing under the mistletoe, even if it’s just in your kitchen.
The secret to their perfect festive flavor? Freshly grated nutmeg that blooms in the dough. A quick turn on the Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater gives you fragrant, fluffy nutmeg in seconds—no dusty jar stuff here.
🎄Ingredients (Makes about 24 cookies)
For the cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
⅔ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
For the eggnog filling
1½ cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
3–4 tbsp eggnog
½ tsp dark rum or ¼ tsp rum extract (optional)
Extra freshly grated nutmeg for dusting
🥣Step-by-Step: Holiday Magic in Every Thumbprint
Grate Fresh Nutmeg the Easy Way
Lock your cheese grater hand crank onto the counter with its suction base. Pop in the fine shred blade, feed in a whole nutmeg, and give a few effortless cranks. You’ll get fluffy, fragrant nutmeg in seconds—no scraped knuckles, just pure holiday aroma.
Make the Dough
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Whisk flour, the freshly grated nutmeg, and salt together, then mix into the butter mixture until just combined. Chill the dough until firm enough to roll.
Shape the Cookies
Roll into 1-inch balls and place on parchment-lined sheets. Gently press your thumb (or the back of a rounded teaspoon) into each center to create a well.
Bake Until Golden
Bake at 350°F until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. If the wells puff up, re-press gently while still warm.
Whip the Eggnog Filling
Beat powdered sugar and butter together. Gradually add eggnog (and rum if using) until smooth and glossy. Spoon or pipe into cooled thumbprints.
Finish with Snowy Nutmeg
Switch to the Geedel fine shred blade again and give one last light grate of nutmeg over the filled cookies for that signature eggnog sparkle.
🍪Tips & Twists
Boozy boost – Add a tiny drop more rum to the filling for grown-ups only.
Make-ahead – Dough freezes beautifully up to 2 months.
Gift-ready – Stack in tins with parchment; they travel like champs.
Spiced twist – Swap half the nutmeg for cinnamon or cardamom.
🎁The Cookie That Tastes Like Christmas Morning
These Eggnog Thumbprints aren’t just cookies; they’re tiny edible ornaments that fill your entire house with the irresistible scent of fresh nutmeg, thanks to a few effortless cranks on the rotary grater. One batch and you’ll be the undisputed star of every cookie swap.
