How to make eggnog without heavy cream

Q: Is eggnog just melted ice cream?

Why do some people hate eggnog? Because they dont know that its nothing more than melted ice cream with nutmeg on top, and if youre lucky, a stiff pour of bourbon. Allow me to demonstrate. Ive rearranged the order of the ingredients below to show how similar eggnog and ice cream are.

Decadent, thick Old Fashioned Homemade Eggnog is quite easy to make. Whisk up a batch of this favorite Christmas drink in no time. Way better than store bought!

Table of Contents Show

Do I have to cook Old Fashioned Homemade Eggnog?
Can I add alcohol?
How long does homemade eggnog last?
What can I use instead of heavy cream for eggnog?
How can I make my eggnog thicker?
Is eggnog just melted ice cream?
What can I add to eggnog to make it better?

Homemade eggnog is one of our favorite Holiday treats. It is thick and sweet, and almost reminiscent of melted ice cream. It tastes like Christmas in a glass. This homemade version is fully cooked for food safety, and is non-alcoholic, making it the perfect family friendly recipe so everyone gets a taste. This right here is holiday decadence at its finest.

Spices:

You can kick the cinnamon up a notch if you are a cinnamon lover, or tone it down. Adjusting the spices to your personal taste is the best.

Do I have to cook Old Fashioned Homemade Eggnog?

Eggnog is traditionally made uncooked, with raw eggs. Store bought eggnog is pasteurized for food safety reasons. To keep this drink safe for everyone, we’ve written this recipe as a cooked version. For an uncooked version, whisk egg yolks, sugar, cloves, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Replace the cinnamon sticks with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and whisk in with the egg yolks. Slowly pour in milk, cream, and vanilla extract, whisk until thoroughly combined.

Can I add alcohol?

Yes, you can add alcohol to this eggnog for a spiked adult beverage. What type and how much alcohol to add is a matter of personal preference. Dark rum, cognac, and bourbon are all traditional options. For a fun twist try Fireball whiskey.

How long does homemade eggnog last?

It depends on the expiration dates on the milk and cream that you use to make the recipe. For best results, do not use milk or cream that is near its expiration date, as your eggnog will also expire soon. The best rule of thumb is to use the expiration dates on your milk and cream and go by whichever is soonest.

Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.

Decadent, thick Old Fashioned Homemade Eggnog is quite easy to make. Whisk up a batch of this favorite Christmas drink in no time. Way better than store bought!

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups milk
4 whole cinnamon sticks
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
7 egg yolks
3/4 cup white sugar
2 cups heavy cream or half and half for a light version
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Put the milk, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and 1/2 tsp vanilla into a large saucepan. Put it over the lowest heat setting on your stove for 5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar for 1 minute.
Turn the heat under the milk up to medium-high heat. Remove the cinnamon sticks.
Slowly whisk in about 1/4 of the hot milk into the egg/sugar mixture. Then pour all of the egg/sugar mixture back into the saucepan and whisk it all together. Put it over medium heat, whisking constantly, for 3 minutes. It will thicken a bit.
Pour the hot eggnog into a large bowl or beverage container and let cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Add cinnamon sticks back in (optional).
After 1 hour, stir in the heavy cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and nutmeg. Store in the fridge and allow to cool for at least 4 hours before serving.

Notes

For an uncooked version, whisk egg yolks, sugar, cloves, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Replace the cinnamon sticks with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and whisk in with the egg yolks. Slowly pour in milk, cream, and vanilla extract, whisk until thoroughly combined.
Alcohol can be added before serving, to taste. Dark rum, cognac, and bourbon are all traditional options.

What can I use instead of heavy cream for eggnog?

You can easily take a traditional recipe and make some quick substitutions. For example, instead of the heavy cream, opt for whole milk or coconut milk. And then for the whole milk, you can try 2 percent milk or almond milk. And if a recipe calls for 1 cup or ¾ cup of sugar, try using ¼ cup less.

How can I make my eggnog thicker?

For extra thickness, whip up 1 cup of heavy cream and fold into the eggnog before serving. Even richer eggnog: Feel free to play with the proportions of whole milk to cream, keeping 3 cups total dairy. Heavy cream will make your eggnog thicker and creamier.

Is eggnog just melted ice cream?

Why do some people hate eggnog? Because they don't know that it's nothing more than melted ice cream with nutmeg on top, and if you're lucky, a stiff pour of bourbon. Allow me to demonstrate. I've rearranged the order of the ingredients below to show how similar eggnog and ice cream are.