Description
Inspired by a frothy glass of eggnog, these simple Cardamom-Spiced Cookie Bars are warmly spiced with cardamom and slathered in a rich Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting. Garnishing with freshly grated nutmeg makes them look and taste just like eggnog.
Ingredients
Units
Cardamom Spiced Cookie Bars
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (- softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (- at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese (- softened)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (- softened)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup prepared eggnog (- at room temperature)
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar (- sifted)
- grated fresh nutmeg (- to garnish)
Instructions
Cardamom Spiced Cookie Bars
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend over sides of pan.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar at medium speed until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until combined. (Dough will be soft and sticky.) Transfer dough to prepared pan, pressing into bottom and up sides.
- Bake until golden around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Using excess parchment as handles, remove from pan, and set on a flat surface. Using an offset spatula, spread Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting onto cookie. Garnish with nutmeg, if desired. Cut into bars, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, butter, and almond extract at medium speed until creamy. With mixer on low speed, gradually add eggnog, beating until combined. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth. Use immediately.
Notes
Pro Tip - Use an offset spatula to create mini frosting peaks by gently swirling and lifting the spatula.
Fresh grated nutmeg adds a finishing touch that makes these cookie bars look and taste just like a frothy glass of eggnog.
Store in refrigerator until serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Cookie Bars