Y’all I legit never buy eggnog. It’s just too easy and delish to make at home. My homemade eggnog is old school. I make a custard, spice it up and serve with whipped egg whites and a stick of cinnamon just to make it cute. I love drinking a glass when I’m decorating the tree, wrapping gifts or just chilling on the couch. It’s everything. Use it in anything from eggnog cake to eggnog bread pudding.
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How to Make Eggnog
Step 1: Divide eggs and add 6 egg yolks to a medium sized bowl. Whisk in sugar until light and fluffy and buttery yellow.
Step 2: Add milk and heavy cream to a medium sized pot over medium heat and allow to warm until just about to boil. Remove from heat.
Quickly stir a tablespoon of milk into egg mixture to temper. Once again add another tablespoon stirring quickly then one last time repeat process. Once eggs are at temp, whisk egg mixture into pot of milk and combine. Stir in bourbon (if using), vanilla and salt then serve.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, add remaining egg whites and ½ tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks. Pour eggnog into glasses and spoon with meringue then top with nutmeg and serve.
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Homemade Eggnog Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I’ll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs divided
- 1 cup granulated sugar divided (plus 2 teaspoons)
- 1 1/3 cup milk chilled
- 1 cup heavy cream chilled
- 1/2 cup bourbon Optional: (or replace with another ½ cup of heavy cream for nonalcoholic)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Fresh or ground nutmeg for serving
Instructions
- Divide eggs and add 6 egg yolks to a medium sized bowl. Whisk in sugar until light and fluffy and buttery yellow.
- Add milk and heavy cream to a medium sized pot over medium heat and allow to warm until just about to boil. Remove from heat.
- Quickly stir a tablespoon of milk into egg mixture to temper. Once again add another tablespoon stirring quickly then one last time repeat process. Once eggs are at temperature, whisk egg mixture into pot of milk and combine.
- Stir in bourbon (if using), vanilla and salt then serve.
- In a separate bowl, add remaining egg whites and ½ tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks. Pour eggnog into glasses and spoon with meringue then top with nutmeg and serve.
Notes
- Eggnog above
- ½ gallon peppermint ice cream, softened
- 1 liter club soda, cold
- Crushed peppermint
Storage
Homemade eggnog typically lasts 2-3 days if stored under 40 degrees or less. Before you refrigerate it, make sure it has properly cooled. Then pour the leftovers into an airtight container or mason jar, seal tightly, and place it in the fridge. If it starts smelling somewhat sour, it’s past its prime and should be thrown out. Also check for discoloration or a lumpy texture. Better safe than sorry.Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Go Room Temp: It helps with the tempering and cutting down the curdling.
- Separate with Care: Make sure you don’t get any yolk in your whites or they won’t whip up well.
- For more silk: You can get it even smoother if you use a fine mesh sieve before you serve it.
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I love me some Eggnog and now I have this wonderful recipe to try. Can’t wait until I leave the car repair shop so I can stop at the store. Making Eggnog and the pound cake for a party this weekend.
Let us know how it turns out for you.
I cannot wait to try this recipe. Am I able to serve without the meringue.
Sure, you don’t have to serve it with the meringue if you don’t want to.
I loved eggnog – until I read all the ingredients on the carton of the store-bought container. This definitely looks healthier!
Hi,
Ironically I am having a glass of store bought eggnog as I read your recipe. YUM-O!! What I want to know is, do you have a recipe for a whip cream instead of a meringue?
Thanks!
Homemade whipped cream is simply. Heavy cream, powdered sugar, a little bit of vanilla extract and whip it, but be careful you don’t over beat it otherwise you’ll end up with homemade butter!
This is something we have every year at Christmas and New Years, this will be the first time I try to make it myself it was always something my mother made unfortunately she passed earlier this year. I never copied her recipe but your looks like hers so I will give your a try.
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to give it a try and make a favorite of Christmas time in my own kitchen.
You know it’s Christmas when you feast your eyes on some delicious egg nogg.
I admit to buying the storebought mix which is a total shame as I bet yours is way better! I will save this one for next weekend. Sounds like a Sunday afternoon kinda treat!
This is so perfect for the holidays! I love how simple it is to make at home!
This is the year I am finally making eggnog! I’ve never even had it – but I find myself drawn to it every single December. And this year well it’s not like I have anything better to do what with staying home and all. Saving your recipe to try!