Eggnog Snickerdoodles

Hey all!  I have so much to talk about... just where to begin?  Alright, so first, let's talk about the HOLIDAYS!!  Well, the Holidays and I have this love/hate relationship thing going on!  I love having a perfect excuse to gather with family, friends...aka loved ones, and spending quality time with one another!  I LoVe giving!! I lOvE, LOVE, love the flavors of the holidays!...  The pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, rum, mint, & citrus flavors are among my favorites!  I love baking for others that don't enjoy it like I do :)  I hate how quickly the holidays are over.... and how my.butt.is.dragging.by.January.1st!  THE END!

Well, considering the fact that I went MIA in November, I first should apologize for that!  Believe me, I was thinking about you all and your awesome recipes you all must be making for Thanksgiving! But, sorry to say, "thinking about you all" was as much as I could possibly do!  I had a couple weddings to do, lots of birthdays, and then of course, Thanksgiving(lots of pictures to come later)!  Oh how I love spending the time in my kitchen with all my new commercial equipment!  A dream come true, really! But the last few days of doing pretty much NOTHING were also much needed!  Now I think I'm all ready to begin another crazy month!  So, shall I say....bring on December?!  Ready or not.... it's here!

Today, after having an awesome visit with a great friend, I decided that I should make some cookies!  Christmas cookies are the next thing on my list, so I decided to start tackling the LOoooNnnnGgggg list of cookie recipes I want to get on the blog before Christmas so the rest of you can share them at your Christmas parties, family gatherings, and homes!  This recipe is definately one I look forward to baking this time of year!  And the aroma that fills your house while they're baking is so yummy!  I hope you all enjoy these chewy snickerdoodles spiced with nutmeg and rum! I know I just can't get enough!
*a small disclaimer from me: Read the directions and mix the nutmeg with the sugar to roll the cookies in:) I added the nutmeg to my cookie dough because I was, of course, running as fast as I could to get them done! They are still yummy, just a bit strong on the nutmeg side:)*

Eggnog Snickerdoodles
recipe from TOH Best Loved Cookies & Candies 2010
adapted by From Cupboard to Cupboard

Yield: 6 1/2 dozen

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1-3/4 cups sugar, divided
2 eggs
1/4 to 1/2 tsp rum extract
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp ground nutmeg

In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and 1-1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and extract.  Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
In a shallow bowl, combne the nutmeg and remaining sugar.  Roll dough into 1-inch balls; roll in suar mixture.  Place 2 inche apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove to wire racks to cool! 


Enjoy!

Happy Cooking!

Teauna