Creating these delightful Eggnog Cookies is easy if you follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the Egg and Extracts: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and rum extract until fully combined.
5. Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
6. Incorporate Nuts: If you’re using nuts, fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts at this stage.
7. Scoop the Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave some space between each cookie.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake.
9. Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
10. Drizzle Eggnog (Optional): Once cool, you can drizzle warm eggnog over the cookies for an extra festive touch!

By following these steps, you’ll have a delicious batch of Eggnog Cookies ready to impress your guests or indulge yourself!