Creamy Eggnog Cookie Bars
These Creamy Eggnog Cookie Bars are a festive, easy-to-make holiday treat featuring real eggnog, warm spices, and a luscious eggnog glaze. Soft, chewy, and packed with nostalgic flavor, they’re perfect for parties, gifting, or cozy nights in.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter for dairy-free)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2/3 cup real eggnog (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 3–4 tablespoons eggnog (for glaze)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (for glaze, optional)
- Pinch of salt (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Lightly grease the paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in eggnog and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan and level the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in the pan on a rack (about 60 minutes).
- For the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, eggnog, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle or spread glaze over cooled bars. Sprinkle with extra nutmeg or cinnamon if desired. Let set for 15–20 minutes.
- Lift bars out using parchment overhang. Cut into 24 squares for bite-sized treats or 12 for generous servings. Enjoy!
Notes
Do not overmix the batter to keep bars soft. Use room temperature butter and eggs for best texture. Bars taste even better the next day as flavors meld. For gluten-free or dairy-free, use appropriate substitutes. Let bars cool completely before glazing and cutting for neat squares. Store in airtight container at room temp for 3 days, refrigerate for longer storage, or freeze for up to a month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/24 of recip
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 80
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Protein: 2
Keywords: eggnog cookie bars, holiday dessert, Christmas cookies, festive treats, easy cookie bars, creamy bars, eggnog glaze, nutmeg, cinnamon, party dessert