Eggnog, one of my favorite holiday drinks between Thanksgiving & Christmas. I was unable to indulge very much in this rich and creamy beverage this season. Oh, how I love a small glass with Thanksgiving dinner, one while I am wrapping presents and love to share one with friends over ice with just a splash of rum.
A friend emailed me this yummy cookie recipe with all the flavors of rum eggnog, and while searching for another recipe, I came across the same exact recipe in my Taste of Home Baking Book! They call them Butterscotch Eggnog Stars. I like to call the Eggnog Sparkle Star Cookies. I love how the candy just shimmers when the light hits them. While baking these delicious bites, I could not help but think of the Star that led the three wise men to the manger of baby Jesus, Matthew 2:9-After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was, 10- when they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
My thoughts also went to the beginning of creation, Genesis 1:14- And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark the seasons and days and years, 15-and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so, 16-God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars, 17-God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on earth, 18-to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. How fitting that are youngest son received a telescope for Christmas and he can gaze upon the heavens at night and check out all stars and constellations.
These cookies would be great for your Thanksgiving dessert menu and of course Christmas cookies trays. You can easily double the recipe and have them for your cookie exchange parties. Dont' shy away from making these cookies because it only calls for a small amount of eggnog, and you're left wondering what to do with the leftovers, other than drinking the entire carton, I have found a wonderful recipe for whipped eggnog bread at www.thekitchn.com, or an eggnog cheesecake at www.familycircle.com. If you make the cheesecake, use eggnog instead of milk. You could by a 1/2 gallon of eggnog and plan on afternoon of baking these wonderful treats to share with anyone on your list. A slice of bread with your morning coffee, cookies for that "Star" in your life, or an ending to a wonderful evening with family & friends.
I hope this year finds you following the Star of Creation, and being overjoyed while doing so!
Eggnog Sparkle Star Cookies-
Adapted from Taste of Home Baking
Cookies-
2/3 cup butter softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup eggnog
2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup crushed hard butterscotch candies -or- whatever flavor you like, lemon would be nice
Icing-
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon rum extract
2 -3 Tablespoons eggnog
Directions-
Grease foil lined baking sheets and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Beat in the egg and eggnog. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt & nutmeg, gradually add to the creamed mixture. Divide the dough in half. *at this point I did not have time bake them and they remained covered in my refrigerator for about three days.
On a floured surface, roll out one portion at a time to 1/4" thickness. Cut with a floured star cutter about 3 1/2" and then cut the centers out with a smaller star cutter about 1 1/2". I used a water bottle cap for the round center.
Place large stars 2" apart on prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon candy in the center of each cookie.
Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minetes or until the edges are just starting to brown. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes. *As the cookies cool, the candies continue to melt and fill the holes nicely. Remove from foil and cool on wire racks.
For icing, mix all ingredients together adding enough eggnog to make a drizzle consistency. Drizzle over cooled cookies. * I did not have any rum extract, but had some rum, so I used that instead and it nice hint of flavor.
Eat & Love Well,
XO Sonya
