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I first whipped up these Eggnog Tres Leches Cookies during a busy holiday baking session when I wanted something fancy yet reminiscent of childhood. They've since turned into the Christmas treat my family begs for every year. That combo of the soft, buttery cookie with smooth eggnog topping and bright cherries brings a bit of holiday wonder to your dessert plate.
Sweet Festive Delight
The thing I can't get enough of with these cookies is how they blend two holiday favorites together. The cookie bottom just dissolves in your mouth while that velvety eggnog frosting adds so much depth. Guests always ask for my recipe when I serve them at gatherings.
Ingredients You'll Want
- For Our Frosting Base: Mix together sugar, flour, salt and tasty eggnog for that smooth beginning.
- Our Cookie Magic: Combine creamy butter, sugars, sweet condensed milk and cream for that melt-away texture.
- Warm Spices: Add vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg to get that cozy holiday feel.
- Building Blocks: Don't forget salt, baking powder and flour to help everything stand up right.
- Sparkly Finish: White sanding sugar gives that extra holiday twinkle.
- Velvet Frosting: Take your dreamy base and mix in more butter for incredible richness.
- Pretty Finish: Put red candied cherries on top to make everything look cheerful.
Baking Instructions
- First Step With Frosting
- We'll start by making that smooth base, mixing sugar, flour and salt with eggnog until it thickens nicely. Keep stirring the whole time, then let it cool down properly.
- Making Cookie Goodness
- As your oven heats up, blend the butter, sugars and condensed milk till they're fluffy as clouds. The spices and vanilla will make your kitchen smell just like Christmas.
- Form Your Cookies
- Take small balls of dough, coat them in that sparkly sugar and press them down gently. They'll bake into perfect rounds just waiting for their frosting hats.
- Whipping The Frosting
- See how the frosting comes together as you slowly add butter until it's soft as silk.
- The Finishing Touch
- Add those lovely swirls of frosting then crown each with half a cherry for a fancy holiday look.
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Handy Baking Tips
Let your butter and eggnog sit out till they reach room temperature and they'll blend much easier. Don't forget to roll in the sanding sugar as it gives such a nice glitter. Make sure your frosting base cools completely before you mix in butter or you won't get that amazing texture.
Sharing The Joy
These treats stay fresh in the fridge for up to seven days if stored properly. When I give them as gifts, I like to pack them in cute tins with layers of parchment between. There's nothing quite like getting homemade cookies during the holidays.
Tasty Variations
I sometimes switch up the sugar colors depending on what time of year it is. Adding finely chopped pecans to the dough was something I tried by chance one time and now we love that extra crunch. And have you tried a dash of almond extract in the frosting? It's so good when you want something different.
The Frosting Secret
This eggnog velvet topping changes ordinary cookies into something really special. It's like putting holiday fluff on each cookie. The way it works with those warm spices and adds creamy sweetness makes everyone smile with delight when they take a bite.
Party Favorites
Whenever I take these to holiday get-togethers, they're the first treats to vanish from the table. Something about how fancy they look and that soft texture makes folks always reach for another one. Even my pals who say they don't care for eggnog end up loving these.
Cookie Background
We named them Tres Leches cookies because of the condensed milk in the dough that gives you a hint of that famous cake in every nibble. That key ingredient makes them so tender they practically vanish on your tongue.
Storage Suggestions
Stick these yummy cookies in a sealed container in your fridge and they'll stay tasty for about five days. If you're planning way ahead, you can freeze just the plain cookies, then add frosting later when you need them. They'll taste fresh-baked this way.
Getting Ahead
When holiday chaos hits, I often mix up the dough and frosting base a day early. Everything waits in the fridge till I'm ready. Then I just need to roll, bake, frost and top with cherries for fresh cookies without the time crunch.
The Crowd Pleaser
These cookies really shine with holiday cheer from their sugar sparkle to their cherry crowns. They mix the comfort of eggnog with the fancy feel of a special treat. Whether packed in gift boxes or laid out on pretty plates, they always make the holidays brighter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why is this frosting different?
It starts with eggnog, cooked into a base, before mixing it with butter. This process creates a smooth, stable, and rich frosting.
- → Can these cookies be made in advance?
Sure! Because of the frosting's dairy, store them in the fridge. Just let them warm up a bit before serving to taste their best.
- → What’s the purpose of sanding sugar?
It gives the cookies sparkle, helps them not stick when flattening, and adds a light crunch when you bite into them.
- → Is freezing these cookies okay?
You can freeze them unfrosted. Once frosted, keep them in the fridge since freezing could make the topping lose its texture.
- → What if candied cherries are unavailable?
Swap them for maraschino cherries, but pat them dry first. You could also decorate with other fun options like sprinkles or sugared cranberries.
Conclusion
Soft and buttery cookies infused with eggnog and milk flavors, finished off with creamy frosting and topped with festive cherries.