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Homemade Eggnog

Name: Homemade Eggnog
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12 servings (3 quarts).
Ingredients: 12 large eggs; 1-1/2 cups sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 8 cups whole milk, divided; 2 tablespoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 2 cups heavy whipping cream; Additional nutmeg, optional

21 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 30 min. + chilling

Makes

12 servings (3 quarts)

Updated: Jan. 30, 2023

Once, I asked my mother how to make eggnog, and she showed me this recipe. After just one taste, folks will know this homemade holiday drink came from the kitchen, not from the store. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Ingredients

12 large eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 cups whole milk, divided
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups heavy whipping cream
Additional nutmeg, optional

Directions

In a heavy saucepan, whisk together eggs, sugar and salt. Gradually add 4 cups milk; cook and stir over low heat until a thermometer reads 160°-170°, 30-35 minutes. Do not allow to boil. Immediately transfer to a large bowl.
Stir in vanilla, nutmeg and remaining milk. Place bowl in an ice-water bath, stirring until milk mixture is cool. (If mixture separates, process in a blender until smooth.) Refrigerate, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours.
To serve, beat cream until soft peaks form. Whisk gently into cooled milk mixture. If desired, sprinkle with additional nutmeg before serving.

If you love this homemade eggnog, you'll want to try these easy holiday recipes to make with eggnog.

Eggnog Tips

How can you make sure eggnog is safe to drink?

Eggnog made with raw eggs is safe to drink if the eggs have been heated to 160 degrees. This will kill any bacteria, like salmonella, that may be present in the raw eggs. When heating the egg, sugar, and milk mixture, slow and low is the way to go. Stirring the mixture while heating slowly on low gently warms the mixture without scrambling the eggs. Just be sure you take the time to get it to 160 degrees.

How do you make eggnog alcoholic?

If you want to add alcohol to your eggnog, start with 1/4 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. Serve your boozy eggnog with these Christmas-ready spiced eggnog rum cookies. (Here's more on what eggnog is and why we drink it at Christmastime.)

How should you store eggnog?

Eggnog may be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for several days. Just give it a whisk before serving.

—Catherine Ward, Taste of Home Prep Kitchen Manager

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 411 calories, 25g fat (14g saturated fat), 247mg cholesterol, 251mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 0 fiber), 13g protein.