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Home » Eggnog Ice Cream

Eggnog Ice Cream

November 11, 2021 by Debi 19 Comments

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Rich and creamy with all the festive flavor of eggnog in this deliciously smooth custard based homemade Eggnog Ice Cream.

This giveaway is closed.

I originally made and shared this ice cream recipe back in 2010 when I found a forgotten carton of leftover eggnog in the back of the fridge. Back then I made an Eggnog Pound Cake and this creamy ice cream to go together. And, let me tell you they work so well together even today!

Homemade from scratch ice cream made with leftover eggnog or with eggnog you bought specifically for this dessert. I’ve updated the pictures and the recipe for a better user experience.

A bowl of two scoops of Eggnog Ice Cream topped with nutmeg and surrounded by evergreens.

We appreciate your support

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

two slices of cake with a scoop of ice cream.

What kind of eggnog should I use?

Since the eggnog is the main flavor here, you want to use a good quality eggnog with lots of flavor.

The richer and creamier the eggnog, the better your ice cream will be. I recommend a full fat dairy eggnog here. Use your favorite store brand or your own homemade eggnog.

A plant-based eggnog or a lower fat one, the ice cream will be thinner, less creamy, and a bit icier. If that’s ok with you and you’d like to save some calories, by all means.

If you’re using leftover eggnog, be aware that if it’s really spiked with alcohol, it won’t make good ice cream. The alcohol won’t freeze, so the ice cream won’t churn. Better to just use that in a cake or just drink it.

More ice cream

Want more ice cream recipes? Be sure to check out my Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Salted Caramel Ice Cream.

Pro tips for making the best custard-based eggnog ice cream

Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card below for ingredients amounts and detailed instructions.

Note: this section contains affiliate links

how to make this ice cream.

Beat the sugar into the eggs until thickened and pale yellow. Beat in the flour and salt. Set aside.

Bring the milk to a simmer. Slowly beat the hot milk into the eggs and sugar mixture.

Pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan and place over low heat.

making of the ice cream.

Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the custard thickens slightly and coats the back of the spoon. Be careful not to let the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble.

Remove from heat and pour the custard through a strainer into a large clean bowl.

I recommend that you pour the batter into a batter bowl or large glass measuring cup. It’ll make it easier to pour the ice cream base into the ice cream maker if you have a bowl with a spout.

Allow the custard to cool slightly, and stir in the eggnog and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until cold or overnight.

ice cream churnning in an ice cream machine.

This is the ice cream maker that I have. I love it. All you have to do it pop the bowl into the freezer a day or two before you want to make ice cream. Then, assemble the machine when you’re ready to churn, and in about 20 minutes you have homemade from scratch ice cream!

Stir the chilled custard, and freeze in your ice cream machine according to the manufacturer’s directions. Serve up the ice cream with one of these handy ice cream scoops.

ice cream in a container ready to go into the freezer.

Great Mix-Ins

This ice cream is delicious on its own, but if you want to kick it off with some mix ins, here’s some inspiration for you.

Pop these in at the end of churning, or layer them into the storage container when you’re done churning.

  • A ribbon of salted caramel sauce
  • Crisp pecans make a delicious mix in, give them a rough chop and layer them into the ice cream storage container. Don’t toss them into the ice cream machine bowl or you run the risk of scratching the bowl.
  • Crumbled snickerdoodle cookies make for a festive addition

Top it with some fun Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

two bowls of ice cream with greenery around them.

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a bowl of Eggnog ice cream with a wooden spoon, title on top.

Eggnog Ice Cream Recipe

square crop of a bowl of ice cream surrounded by evergreens.

Eggnog Ice Cream

Debi
Rich and creamy with all the festive flavor of eggnog inthis deliciously smooth custard based homemade Eggnog Ice Cream.
4.82 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Churning time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 199 kcal

Equipment

  • Ice Cream Machine

Ingredients
  

  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 & 2/3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup eggnog
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, beat the sugar into the eggs until thickened and pale yellow. Beat in the flour and salt. Set aside.
  • Bring the milk to a simmer in a heavy medium saucepan. Slowly beat the hot milk into the eggs and sugar mixture. Pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan and place over low heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the custard thickens slightly and coats the back of the spoon. Be careful not to let the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble. Remove from heat and pour the custard through a strainer into a large clean bowl.
  • Allow the custard to cool slightly, and stir in the eggnog and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until cold or overnight.
  • Stir the chilled custard, and freeze in your ice cream machine according to the manufacturer’s directions.
  • When finished, the ice cream will be soft, but ready to eat. For firmer ice cream, transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze at least 2 hours.

Notes

I figure a serving size is usually about 1/2 cup for ice cream

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 6gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 276IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 141mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Keyword eggnog, ice cream
Tried this recipe?Mention @LifeCurrents or tag #LifeCurrents!

a scoop of ice cream served on a slice of cake.
One of the original photos of the eggnog ice cream with eggnog pound cake from 2010. You can see why I needed to update it!

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Filed Under: Christmas, Desserts Tagged With: Cooking, desserts, eggnog, Food, ice cream, recipe

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about debi

ABOUT DEBI

Hello! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes. My husband eats meat, so occasionally I share some of his dishes as well. And, I’ll share tasty treats and projects that we do. Read more...

Previous Post: « Eggnog Pound Cake
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Molli Taylor

    November 11, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    5 stars
    i like to support local biz but with large families and busy schedules amazon and walmart are my more likely shopping destinations during the holidays

  2. bn100

    November 11, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    5 stars
    maybe Target

  3. Jon Heil

    November 11, 2021 at 6:32 pm

    5 stars
    Rocking up Amazon

  4. Cathy French

    November 12, 2021 at 7:22 am

    I would spend the gift card at Kohls.

  5. Julie Bickham

    November 12, 2021 at 10:01 am

    I would spend it on Amazon.

  6. Barrie

    November 12, 2021 at 10:21 am

    5 stars
    I am an amazon fan! I love shopping there, so that would be my choice.

  7. aaron

    November 13, 2021 at 7:06 am

    5 stars
    always something i want on amazon.

  8. John Gusswein

    November 15, 2021 at 10:53 am

    Eggnog ice cream sounds delicious!

  9. Ashley Mains

    November 15, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    Amazon shopping spree!!! <3

  10. Kayla

    November 15, 2021 at 9:04 pm

    I’d spend it on Amazon

  11. Michael Coovert

    November 16, 2021 at 2:04 am

    Amazon would be ideal.

  12. Michael Coovert

    November 16, 2021 at 2:44 am

    Amazon would be ideal. Thank you.

  13. Rajee Pandi

    November 16, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    Amazon for sure

  14. Laura Smith

    November 18, 2021 at 3:20 pm

    5 stars
    I would love to use this to buy a few more things for gifts on Amazon.

  15. Clem

    November 19, 2021 at 11:41 pm

    I would pick Amazon.

  16. Del

    November 21, 2021 at 11:43 pm

    I would spend the gift card at Amazon.

  17. Jen R

    November 22, 2021 at 8:45 pm

    I would use the gift card at Amazon if I won.

  18. wen budro

    November 23, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    5 stars
    I would probably do my shopping at Target or Walmart. They have the best selection.

  19. Christina Sparks

    November 24, 2021 at 12:07 pm

    I would use it at Home Depot, have some home improvement projects I want to work on.

4.82 from 11 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Hi! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents, where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes with some great desserts and other goodies mixed in! Read More >>>

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