Day 8: Eggnog Snickerdoodles

A couple years ago I made a joke that it's not Christmas unless the Wells household smells like Southern Comfort. Different people have different ways to spice up eggnog.
Some choose the Raspberry Vinaigrette of liquors - Brandy. Some go whiskey or kahlua. My mom uses Southern Comfort, and the fine spirit has since turned into her Major Award from A Christmas Story. It's not particularly fra-gee-lay, but it's a holiday staple.

Looks just like a snickerdoodle right? Wrong!

Day 8 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies is a recipe for Eggnog Snickerdoodles that the book kindly suggests you serve with real eggnog or chai lattes.

I say serve with a hearty helping of Southern Comfort!



Eggnog Snickerdoodles


Ingredients
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Shall we?

1 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, room temp
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons rum extract

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375. Lightly grease or spray cookie sheets.

2. In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup of the sugar, the cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside like a cooking guest on a talk show.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt and set aside.

4. With an electric mixer, beat together the butter, shortening and remaining 1 1/2 cups of sugar at medium speed until light (2-3 minutes) in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in the rum extract. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour mixture until just mixed.

5. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll between your palms into 1 1/4 inch balls. (If dough is too soft to handle, put in fridge for 15-30 minutes and try again). Roll the balls in the cinnamon-nutmeg sugar to coat evenly. Place on the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them at least an inch and a half apart.

6. Bake in the center of the oven until golden and cracked on top, 10-12 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire wracks to cool completely.


As I'm sure you've noticed, there's no actual eggnog in this recipe. That was no typo my friend! The book assures that replacing the cinnamon with nutmeg gives the magic (it's an illusion Michael!) of a flavor that's reminiscent of eggnog. I say, give it a try and let me know how it goes.


Source: Very Merry Cookie Party; How to Plan and Host a Christmas Cookie Exchange

By: Barbara Grunes and Virgina van Vynckt

Posted in: Christmas,Cookie,Holiday,Snickerdoodle