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Rich and Creamy Homemade Eggnog

Close-up of a glass of creamy, frothy homemade eggnog topped with grated chocolate or nutmeg.
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Make the best homemade eggnog that is thick, creamy, and full of classic holiday spice flavor. This recipe is simple to follow and tastes much better than store-bought versions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pint whole milk
  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, plus more for garnish
  • Optional: 1 cup bourbon, dark rum, or brandy

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and salt together until the mixture is pale yellow and thick.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream. Heat over medium heat until steam rises and small bubbles form around the edges. Do not let it boil.
  3. Temper the eggs: Slowly pour about one cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
  4. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture.
  5. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon (reaching about 170°F on a thermometer). This step creates the rich, custard-like texture.
  6. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Stir in the vanilla extract and ground nutmeg.
  7. If using alcohol, stir in the bourbon, rum, or brandy now.
  8. Pour the eggnog into a clean container. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.
  9. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to fully develop and the drink to become cold and thick.
  10. Serve cold, garnished with an extra sprinkle of fresh nutmeg.

Notes

  • For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the spirits listed in the ingredients.
  • You can make this recipe up to three days ahead of time. Keep it chilled.
  • For the thickest result, use high-quality, full-fat dairy products.
  • If you prefer a thinner consistency, use slightly less heavy cream or add a splash more milk before chilling.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://bringdish.com/creamy-homemade-eggnog-recipe/