Eggnog Ice Cream
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Homemade ice cream is incredibly easy to make. It can be done by hand, but this is one of those times that I highly recommend an ice cream maker. Sure, ice cream makers might be what my wife calls “uni-taskers,” but they are quite handy. I don’t know about you, but my hand might fall off if I had to stand there and stir the ice cream mixture for 30-45 minutes until it turned into ice cream. (If you don’t have an ice cream maker, then may I suggest grabbing one at an after-Christmas sale. And then go make a batch of this Eggnog Ice Cream for New Year’s Eve!)
I added a couple tablespoons of bourbon to my Eggnog Ice Cream, but this is entirely optional. You could go with rum or just leave out the alcohol all together. Normally, alcohol doesn’t freeze too well, but the bourbon is a relatively small percentage of the overall recipe in this case…so you shouldn’t have any trouble there. Ice cream is typically a bit soft when it comes out of the machine, so just throw it into the freezer for a couple of hours to set up. Then just scoop it out and garnish with a dash of cinnamon and freshly-grated nutmeg. This Eggnog Ice Cream is the perfect dessert to have on hand for Christmas (and the week after Christmas, too)!
Eggnog Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 6 egg yolks
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 Tbsp bourbon or rum optional
- 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Place the milk in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-low it just begins to simmer.
- While the milk is heating, whisk together the salt, sugar, and egg yolks in a medium bowl. Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg yolks; whisking vigorously the entire time.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats a wooden spoon. (~6-7 minutes)
- Remove mixture from heat and add the heavy cream; stir until well combined. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean container. Stir in the bourbon (optional), vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic directly onto the surface of the mixture, and refrigerate overnight.
- Pour the ice cream mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions.
- If you desire a firmer ice cream, transfer the finished ice cream into the freezer for a couple of hours.
- Garnish with a dash of cinnamon and freshly-grated nutmeg before serving.
BOOZY ICE CREAM? BOOZY EGGNOG ICE CREAM? We are now best friends — FOREVAH.
Yes, yes that is indeed eggnog in that ice cream! BFFs fo’ life!!
I bet this is a nice refreshing dessert. Thanks for sharing.
It is quite festive…and perfect for family gatherings! Thanks for stopping by, Laura!
Uhmmm why is the bourbon totally optional? Totally not!! So in love with this. I am getting myself an ice cream maker soon…after Christmas sale is a great idea. Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
Haha…well some people don’t share our love of bourbon, Zainab! You totally should get an ice cream maker…they are so fun!!
Sorry, but u didn’t say when to add the bourbon or spices???
Oops! I have no idea how I missed that one. Thanks for letting me know, Jeni. The spices should get stirred in with the heavy cream in Step 4. Hope you enjoy!!
I love the sound of eggnog ice cream. This sounds delicious David. Pinned! 🙂
Thanks so much, Anne! This ice cream is indeed a holiday favorite around here. Enjoy the day!