Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies

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Introduction

Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies combine the rich, spiced flavors of eggnog with the moist, indulgent texture of tres leches cake, all wrapped up in a delicious cookie form. Perfect for the holiday season, these cookies bring together the best of two beloved desserts—eggnog and tres leches cake—into a single bite-sized treat. With their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive flavors, these cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite. In this article, we will dive into why Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies are a must-try, provide a step-by-step guide on how to make them, and offer some tips and variations to personalize this delicious fusion.

Whether you’re a fan of eggnog, tres leches cake, or both, these cookies will leave you craving more. They offer a delightful mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a creamy milk soak, all packed into a cookie form that’s perfect for holiday parties, gatherings, or just a cozy treat by the fire.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for the Holidays: Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies combine two classic holiday flavors in a fun and unique way. The festive spices from the eggnog and the richness of the tres leches make these cookies the perfect holiday treat.
• Moist and Flavorful: Just like traditional tres leches cake, these cookies are incredibly moist and soft, absorbing a mixture of sweetened milk for an unforgettable texture.
• A Unique Fusion: These cookies are a fusion of two iconic desserts, making them both familiar and excitingly new. The eggnog flavor adds a seasonal twist, while the tres leches soak provides that signature rich, milky flavor.
• Easy to Make: Despite their unique nature, these cookies are easy to make and require no special equipment, making them perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Customizable: You can easily make these cookies your own by adjusting the spices, choosing different toppings, or using alternative milks for a dairy-free version.

Preparation Time and Servings

• Total Time: 3 hours (30 minutes for prep, 2 hours for chilling, 30 minutes for baking)
• Servings: This recipe makes about 24 cookies, depending on how large you shape them.
• Nutrition Facts (per cookie): Calories: 180, Protein: 2g, Carbs: 25g, Fat: 8g.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of the cookie dough and provides the necessary structure.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: For leavening and helping the cookies rise to a soft texture.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg: The perfect complement to the cinnamon for a traditional eggnog flavor.
• 1 cup unsalted butter: Softened, it creates a rich, tender cookie dough.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and contributes to the softness.
• 2 large eggs: Provide structure and richness to the cookies.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the dough and complements the eggnog spices.
• ¾ cup eggnog: This will infuse the cookies with that signature eggnog flavor.

Leches Soak:

• ½ cup whole milk: The first of the three milks that will soak into the cookies.
• ½ cup heavy cream: Adds richness and helps create the creamy texture of the tres leches soak.
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk: Sweetens the soak and adds that signature tres leches flavor.

Optional Garnish:

• Ground cinnamon or nutmeg: To sprinkle over the cookies for extra holiday flair.
• Whipped cream: For an added creamy touch, garnish with a dollop of whipped cream.
• Chopped nuts: For texture, you can top the cookies with chopped pecans or walnuts.

Step-by-Step

Preparation

FIRST STEP: MAKE THE COOKIE DOUGH

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract and beat again to combine.
5. Add Eggnog: Gradually mix in the eggnog until smooth. The eggnog will add richness and moisture to the cookie dough, giving it a wonderful, creamy flavor.
6. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies soft and tender.
7. Chill the Dough: To ensure the cookies hold their shape while baking, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

SECOND STEP: SHAPE AND BAKE THE COOKIES

1. Shape the Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion out about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Roll into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. The cookies should feel soft but not doughy when touched. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

THIRD STEP: PREPARE THE TRES LECHES SOAK

1. Combine the Three Milks: In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, and sweetened condensed milk until fully combined. This is your tres leches soak that will infuse the cookies with their creamy, indulgent flavor.

FOURTH STEP: SOAK THE COOKIES

1. Soak the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled completely, gently dip each cookie into the tres leches soak for about 1-2 seconds, making sure the cookie absorbs some of the liquid but doesn’t get too soggy. Alternatively, you can use a spoon to drizzle the soak over the cookies if you prefer a less intense soak.
2. Let the Cookies Absorb the Soak: Place the soaked cookies back on the wire rack or a serving plate. Let them rest for about 15-20 minutes to allow the milk mixture to soak into the cookies.

FINAL STEP: GARNISH AND SERVE

1. Garnish the Cookies: Before serving, sprinkle the cookies with a little ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a festive touch. If desired, top with a dollop of whipped cream and chopped nuts for added flavor and texture.
2. Serve: Serve these Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies chilled or at room temperature. They make a perfect treat for holiday parties, family gatherings, or as a gift for someone special.

How to Serve Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies

These cookies are perfect for a variety of occasions, especially during the holiday season. Here are some serving ideas:

1. As a Holiday Treat

Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies are the ideal dessert to serve at holiday gatherings. Their festive flavor and unique texture will be a hit at Christmas parties, New Year’s celebrations, or Thanksgiving feasts.

2. With a Hot Beverage

Pair these cookies with a warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. The spices in the eggnog flavor complement the warmth of the beverages, making for a comforting and festive snack.

3. As a Gift

Pack these cookies in a decorative tin or box for a thoughtful holiday gift. They’re the perfect homemade treat to share with friends and family.

4. For a Cookie Exchange

These cookies would be an excellent addition to any cookie exchange event. They’ll stand out among other holiday cookies and are sure to be the most talked-about treat.

Additional Tips

1. Make Ahead: You can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time by storing it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, simply roll the dough into balls and bake as directed.
2. Freezing: To make these cookies in advance, you can freeze the dough. Scoop the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls into an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to bake, just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
3. Vegan Version: For a vegan version, you can substitute the butter with dairy-free butter, use plant-based milk instead of eggnog, and opt for egg replacer in place of eggs.

Recipe Variations

While Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies are delightful as written, there are plenty of ways to make them your own:

1. Add Rum Flavor

For an authentic holiday twist, you can add a splash of rum extract or a tablespoon of dark rum to the cookie dough or the tres leches soak for a more traditional eggnog flavor.

2. Experiment with Spices

Feel free to experiment with different spices like cardamom, ginger, or allspice in the cookie dough to enhance the holiday flavor.

3. Dairy-Free Version

To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter with vegan butter, and use almond or oat milk in place of the whole milk and heavy cream in the soak.

Freezing and Storage

Store leftover Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To freeze, allow the cookies to cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, let the cookies thaw at room temperature.

Special Equipment

While these cookies don’t require any special tools, having the following kitchen essentials can make the process smoother:

• Electric Mixer: For creaming the butter and sugar quickly and efficiently.
• Cookie Scoop: For portioning out evenly sized dough balls.
• Wire Rack: For cooling the cookies after baking.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat: For easy cleanup and preventing sticking during baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use non-dairy eggnog? Yes! You can use non-dairy eggnog, such as almond or soy eggnog, for a dairy-free version of these cookies.
2. How long do the cookies take to soak? Soak the cookies for about 1-2 seconds each, or spoon the tres leches mixture over the cookies. Let them rest for 15-20 minutes to absorb the soak.
3. Can I skip the soak? The soak is essential for achieving the signature tres leches texture. If you skip it, the cookies will not have the same moist, indulgent feel.
4. Can I freeze the tres leches cookies? Yes, these cookies freeze well. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before freezing them in an airtight container.
5. How do I make these cookies more spiced? Feel free to add more cinnamon, nutmeg, or even ginger to the dough to ramp up the spiced flavors.

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Conclusion

Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies are a perfect holiday dessert that combines the best of two classic treats. With their festive eggnog flavor, moist texture from the tres leches soak, and a hint of spice, these cookies are sure to become a cherished addition to your holiday baking. Easy to make, customizable, and absolutely delicious, these cookies are a must-try for anyone who loves the cozy, indulgent flavors of the holiday season. Try them today and enjoy a sweet, spiced treat that everyone will adore!