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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
Ingredients
- 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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
This is my second time making this and it is so good! I made homemade whip cream with it and it literally tastes like ice cream!!
Can I ask how you made whipped cream from
This? Wouldn’t the added milk and ingredients to the cream make the eggnog not able to whip up into a fluffy whip cream? Ty! 🙂 I’d love to learn
She made whipped cream to accompany the drink.
You add the whipped cream to top it off at the end when your put it in your glass.
If you’d like eggnog flavored whipped cream you can add eggnog syrup or extract instead of vanilla to your whipping cream
Ummm, it’s exactly the same recipe for an ice cream base that NYT Cooking uses. Unfrozen nutmeg ice cream.
That’s because the custard for homemade ice cream is the same as the custard for egg nog, pudding, custard pie.
I made this eggnog for Christmas Eve. It is out of this world delicious!
Oh. My. Word. So delicious and so easy! As others have said…I’ll never buy eggnog again! Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh wow!!!! This is awesome!!!! My husband loved it!!
Has anybody tried it with dairy substitutes like oatly barista and cream?
I can’t have dairy but would prefer not to alter the taste by using coconut products.
I have made Irish Cream using Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend Oat Milk and Silk heavy whipping cream. Plan on using the same for this. Those two are the best tasting.
Purchase the Califia Farms Barista Blend Oat Milk on Amazon it’s the cheapest versus buying in grocery store.
Silk cream is only available in grocery store.
Purchase the Oat Milk on Amazon it’s the cheapest versus buying in grocery store.
Silk cream is only available in grocery store.
This took longer than I expected but it is a delicious brew! Rather than use any cream, I chose a less creamy version and used only Guernsey milk. So tasty! I’m also enjoying this warm since I cannot wait for it to chill.
Yes! Every year I do both for a friends holiday chowder party.
When I make the dairy free eggnog, I replace the heavy cream with homemade hazelnut creamer. That helps with getting that creamy eggnog mouthfeel. And I use oat milk or cashew milk in lieu of cow milk.
This is a great eggnog recipe thag is simple to make dairy free. We loved the version I made for a friend who can’t have dairy or gluten! For the whipping cream, I used a dairy free coffee creamer (Natual Bliss Brown Sugar Oat Milk creamer, as it was on sale at the time). It was creamy and flavorful! You could probably also try a plant based heavy whipping cream? I’ve never used such a product. I hope this helps!
So sickeningly sweet that even my 8 year-old wouldn’t finish it. We ended up throwing it away. Try half the sugar to start.
First time making Eggnog. This recipe didn’t disappoint! Very delicious. Thank you.
Great ideas and food for something different.
If you like store-bought eggnog, don’t make this. It will ruin all other eggnogs for you. This is the only eggnog that is acceptable now. If you grate in fresh nutmeg it’s *Chef’s Kiss*
Could I make this dairy free by subbing coconut milk and coconut cream?
Yes, sure!
I am just now learning how to work with new recipes. I am a slow learner. But your step by step instructions really help me out a great deal. Thank you.
Best Eggnog Ever!!! Also so easy and straight forward!
If you add a can of evaporated milk, the egg nog won’t separate.
With a splash of spiced rum a true delight.
This was amazing!!!! I just made it tonight and I will NEVER buy eggnog again. I cooked it a little too long, so I see what you meant about scrambled eggs, but I saved it by immediately throwing it in the blender and it came out perfectly smooth and creamy! (I like mine hot anyways)
Thank you for the amazing recipe!!!!