Homemade Eggnog

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You wont believe how easy and DELICIOUS homemade Eggnog is, and this recipe really is the best! Thick and creamy with the perfect mild flavor and hint of nutmeg. You'll never buy store-bought eggnog again!

Eggnog

I absolutely love eggnog! I have nothing against store-bought eggnog–we have it all the time in our fridge this time of year–but this homemade eggnog recipe is truly what dreams are made of! If you've ever thought you didn't like it, you just have to try it made from scratch.

Several years ago I sought out to make homemade eggnog. My first attempt was not a success and left my husband cringing. Let's just say that the completely “raw egg” method of making eggnog is just not for me.

I pressed forward, determined to succeed, and ended up loving this recipe from Cuisine at Home. I used ground nutmeg instead of fresh, because I always have ground on hand. I also ignored their ice-water bath suggestion and just refrigerated it instead.

The end result was liquid gold, and it's become our family's favorite eggnog recipe ever since! Seriously, this homemade recipe will “WOW” even the biggest eggnog snob! For a fun flavor twist, try my Pumpkin Spice Eggnog recipe!

This eggnog recipe is thick, sweet, creamy and smooth, with the perfect flavor.   It doesn't contain alcohol (if you'd like to add some, read on for my suggestions), but we are non-alcohol drinkers at my house, and I wanted an eggnog recipe my kids can enjoy too.

How to make eggnog:

Start by whisking the egg yolk and sugar together in a small bowl.  Then, in a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine cream, milk, salt, and nutmeg and stir the mixture until it just reaches a simmer.  Next temper the eggs by adding small spoonfuls of the hot mixture to the egg mixture.

Stir each spoonful and once most of the hot mixture has been added, add the entire mixture back to the saucepan.  Continue cooking and whisking for just another minute or two until it barely thickens. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Then remove it from the heat and add the vanilla.  Refrigerate the eggnog mixture until chilled.

We like to serve it with a some whipped cream and an extra little dash of cinnamon and nutmeg on top.

What type of alcohol goes in eggnog?

If you would like to add alcohol to your eggnog, choose a drink with a high alcohol concentration to help counterbalance the sweetness of the eggnog.  Common choices of alcohol to add to eggnog include brandy, rum, bourbon or whisky.

Don't miss my Eggnog French Toast!

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Homemade Eggnog

Author: Lauren Allen

The BEST Homemade Egg Nog recipe! Thick and creamy with the perfect mild flavor and hint of nutmeg. You'll never buy store-bought eggnog again!

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6

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Equipment

• Fine Mesh Strainer
• Clear Mugs
• Instant-read digital thermometer.

Ingredients  

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• ▢ 6 large egg yolks
• ▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• ▢ 2 cups milk
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ▢ pinch of salt
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ground cinnamon, , for topping
• ▢ alcohol, optional, see note

Instructions 

• Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl until light and creamy.
• In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cream, milk, nutmeg and salt. Stir often until mixture reaches a bare simmer. 
• Add a big spoonful of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat, adding a big spoonful at a time, to temper the eggs. 
• Once most of the hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove. 
• Whisk constantly for a minute or so, until the mixture is just slightly thickened (or until it reaches about 160 degrees F on a thermometer). It will thicken more as it cools.
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, and alcohol*, if using.
• Pour the eggnog through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher or other container and cover with plastic wrap. 
• Refrigerate until chilled. It will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner, completely smooth consistency, you can add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth.
• Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and fresh whipped cream, if desired.
• Store homemade eggnog in the fridge for up to one week.

Notes

Alcohol: If you want to add alcohol to your eggnog, start with ¼ cup brandy, bourbon, rum or whisky added at the same time as the vanilla, or after cooling the eggnog. Add more to taste, if desired. 

Yield: about 4 cups

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 246mg, Sodium: 58mg, Potassium: 155mg, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 960IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 140mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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