Description
Creamy eggnog tres leches cookies blend Mexican and holiday traditions in one irresistible dessert. Sweet, spiced cookies soaked in rich milk mixture promise festive indulgence for winter celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon heavy cream
Frosting Base:
- 3/4 cup full-fat eggnog
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Decorative Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons white sanding sugar
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 16 red candied cherries, halved
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
Instructions
- Prepare the frosting foundation by combining sugar, flour, and salt in a saucepan. Slowly incorporate eggnog, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens substantially. Refrigerate for half an hour, then allow to reach room temperature.
- Create cookie dough by thoroughly blending butter, sugars, condensed milk, cream, vanilla, and spices until uniformly smooth. Gradually incorporate flour, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
- Shape cookies by rolling dough into small spheres, generously coating each in sanding sugar. Gently flatten into 2-inch rounds using a sugar-dusted glass.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Position cookies on baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for light golden edges. Allow cookies to cool completely on wire rack.
- Craft frosting by whipping the prepared base until silky smooth. Gradually integrate softened butter, continuing to beat until achieving a light, fluffy consistency.
- Decorate cookies by piping elegant frosting rosettes across surface. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set, then garnish each cookie with a vibrant maraschino cherry half.
Notes
- Customize the Sweetness: Adjust the sugar levels in the frosting base and cookie dough to suit different taste preferences, using less for a more subtle sweetness or adding a touch more for those with a sweet tooth.
- Enhance Eggnog Flavor: Boost the eggnog essence by adding a splash of rum extract or freshly grated nutmeg to the cookie dough for an extra festive touch.
- Make Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Prepare Ahead: The cookie dough and frosting base can be made in advance and refrigerated, making party prep a breeze and allowing flavors to develop more deeply.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg