Classic Eggnog

Name: Classic Eggnog
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups sugar; 12 large eggs, lightly beaten; 4 cups half-and-half; 4 cups milk; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup bourbon; 1/2 cup brandy; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups whipping cream; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

10 ingredients

6 steps

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups sugar
12 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups half-and-half
4 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup bourbon
1/2 cup brandy
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1

Gradually add sugar to eggs in a large glass mixing bowl, whisking until blended. Set aside.
2

Stir together half-and-half, milk, and salt in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 12 to 15 minutes or just until mixture begins to bubble around edges of pan. (Do not boil.)
3

Gradually stir half of hot milk mixture into egg mixture. Stir egg mixture into remaining hot milk mixture in Dutch oven.
4

Cook mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture slightly thickens and a thermometer registers 160° (about 25 to 30 minutes). Remove from heat, and stir 1 minute. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a serving bowl. Stir in bourbon, brandy, and vanilla; let cool 1 hour. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
5

Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into chilled eggnog, and sprinkle with nutmeg.
6

Eggnog With Coffee and Irish Cream: Prepare recipe as directed, substituting 4 1/2 cups chilled strongly brewed coffee and 3 cups Irish cream liqueur for bourbon and brandy. Prepare and fold in 2 cups whipped cream as directed. Omit nutmeg. Garnish with additional whipped cream and thin chocolate mints, if desired. Makes about 1 gal. Note: For testing purposes only, we used Baileys The Original Irish Cream and Andes Creme de Menthe Thins for chocolate mints.