Merry Christmas Eve, and Happy Day 11 of the Cookie Craze. I am happy to report that myself and the oven are still in working order, and there’s still a little propane left. Let me take that back. They just filled us on Tuesday. Judging by the fill bill, it was right on time too.

I saved one of the best cookies for last. It’s hard to say which was actually the best, but these are no question in the top 3.

Having made the decision recently to attempt sober living, I was a tad bit conflicted about making booze cookies of any kind. I always include a rum ball or some cocktail flavored cookie in my Christmas spread. In fact, the Orange Cranberry Butter Thumbprint was most absolutely inspired by the Cosmopolitans I am enduring a break up with during this holiday season. I don’t miss the drinking. I do miss the mixing. Cocktail creation is just another culinary art form, and I will still enjoy expressing myself with it. It’s just that someone else is going to have to be in charge of the QC.

I’m dead serious about staying on the wagon. It’s difficult at times because I miss going out and seeing friends and family, especially during the holidays, but I had to give some things up to make room for better things to come to fruition.

I wholeheartedly believe that in order to see things through in life, some sacrifices are going to be required. And we have to be willing to make them. Me not drinking is no sacrifice. That’s more like a salvation, for lack of a better word. To maintain sobriety, though, I have to distance myself from the social drinking environments for the most part. It keeps me in a good place, and um, here’s a news flash: we are not as funny, or nearly as articulate or impressive as we think, when wasted. I only speak for myself, of course. (Wink wink)

You may have gathered by now that I have the whole “bad girl gone good” thing going on. That is true. I’m this work in progress, who, by the grace of whatever God or Goddess keeping my ass alive, is here to share experiences and recipes, with hopes it will encourage others to do the same. There is something sacred to be found in the sharing of a delicious meal and a good conversation. I’m just saying.

At any rate, I’m avoiding temptations, and while this is a life I probably once would have considered boring, I am relishing the peace and joy of being somewhere that fulfills me in a way that I don’t long to be anywhere else. I am incredibly grateful for our house in the woods, the ones I get to share it with, and all the daily blessings in this life. After all, 6 years ago, I could never have imagined any of what I’m living now coming into fruition. Everything looks a whole lot different today, even in this early stage of sober living. I’ll discuss it more as time goes on. I’m just not going to get all extreme about it, and start trying to be a poster child for my lifestyle. I’m still me. I just don’t drink. So therefore, I am a nicer person.

So then!! You see the conflict here.

Eggnog involves rum, but you can buy it from any store, sans the spirits. I used an imitation rum extract in the recipe as well. These cookies taste pretty rummy, so they won’t be found in any of the AA meeting halls I’ve been visiting, but I will say that the only thing they triggered in me was the need for 3 more. We loved them.

The spicy buttercream icing is like biting into a frothy cloud. The cookie itself is a petite, 4 bite, chunk of Heaven in your fingers. Fresh from the oven they are gooey, but once set, they are dense and, well I guess, something like a cookie/brownie/cake tri-brid. You know. 3. Tri. Hybrid. Whatever, man. They’re indescribably delicious. I love showing the bite pics!!

This is the last recipe of the “11 Days Cookie Craze” series. I feel like a real writer now. I met a daily deadline for 11 days straight. My only goal ever was to post a blog a week. Does this mean I get a 10 week vacation from recipe writing?? I’ll ask the boss. In the meantime, I at least deserve another of these cookies. You should get off your ass and make some too.

You’ll probably need to acquire some egg nog. I like this brand I purchase it at Meijer stores.

Another bright side of this recipe.

NO CHILL TIME!!

What You Need:

1/2 c butter softened

1 c sugar

1 egg

1 tsp rum extract

1/2 c eggnog

2 3/4 c flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Sugar Mix For Rolling

1/2 c sugar

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Icing

1 c powdered sugar

1/4 eggnog (more for thinner icing)

2 Tbsp softened unsalted butter

What You Do:

Preheat the oven to 350.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl or the bowl of stand mixer,cream butter and 1 cup of sugar, egg, rum extract, and eggnog until fluffy.

Add the flour, salt, baking soda, and nutmeg to a separate bowl and whisk.

Gradually add flour blend to the eggs and mix until a soft dough forms.

In a small bowl, whisk together the ½ cup sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Scoop and form the dough into 1 inch balls and roll in the sugar mixture.

Place on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned on the bottom.

Allow to cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

While these are cooling, whip the icing ingredients in a bowl.

Pipe or spread icing on the cookies, or if you opt for a thinner icing, you can dip the tops. I gave mine a sprinkle of nutmeg for looks.

I really hope you got the chance to try some of these recipes over the holidays. I had a blast each and every day of this project. Thank you all so much for reading. It keeps me inspired to find new ways to share my love of food and gratitude for this fabulous gift called life!!

Merry Christmas!!🎁

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Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to M.L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content. In other words; if you steal my shit, I’ll call you out.