Every year when the holidays roll around, we start thinking about all the fun, seasonal recipes we get to enjoy. Eggnog is one of them. Whether you take yours spiked or not, this Skinny Eggnog recipe is a lightened-up version of a holiday classic that you can prepare and serve to the whole family for cozy holiday vibes all around.
Truth be told, I’ve never been a big eggnog person. Just the thought of eggs in a drink had me avoiding it. But as I’ve grown older and expanded my horizons a bit, I’ve come to love this seasonal treat. The only thing that I didn’t love was the calorie load that most eggnogs carry, which is why I decided to craft my own, lighter version. This Skinny Eggnog is not only lightened up but it’s packed with 8g of protein per cup, so you can sip guilt-free this holiday season!
If you're looking for another fantastic holiday-inspired treat, try our Cranberry Margarita!
3 Reasons Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lower Calories, Traditional Taste. Some “skinny” versions of recipes can end up being a total flop and aren’t worth the attempt at saving calories, but this is not the case with our Skinny Eggnog! You get all the traditional eggnog flavor but with fewer calories.
- To Spike or Not to Spike – You Choose! This recipe tastes great without alcohol, but if you’d like to add some to really heat up your holiday celebrations, you can! We love to add a splash of bourbon or rum to make this a true eggnog experience.
- It’s homemade and contains simple ingredients. Many of the pre-made, store-bought eggnogs are packed with preservatives and additives, making them a bit sketchy. Our recipe is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that you know and understand.
Ingredients Breakdown
There are only 6 ingredients in this recipe (7 if you’re including alcohol), making it easy to make – you might even have these ingredients already!
1% milk: I used 1% milk in this recipe to keep the calories low. You can try skim milk, but you might sacrifice a bit of flavor and creaminess.
Vanilla bean: If you can, get a real vanilla bean as the flavor you’ll get from it will be so much richer than an extract. Of course, if you can’t find one or are short on time, you can just add vanilla extract.
Eggs: It wouldn’t be egg nog without the eggs!
Sugar: Yes, this recipe has sugar. No, it won’t kill you. In fact, using regular sugar as opposed to the overly processed stuff may actually be a better choice.
Cornstarch: This is what we use for a thickening agent, giving our Skinny Eggnog its smooth, creamy texture.
Freshly grated nutmeg: If you can grate your own nutmeg, the flavor experience will be top-notch. If not, grab some pre-graded nutmeg!
Tips For Success
Don’t let your eggs curdle. I know this sounds gross, and it is if it happens, but as long as you whisk continuously, it won’t and you’ll end up with a smooth, creamy texture.
Keep a close eye on your eggnog and don’t turn the heat up too high. When heating your eggnog, keep the heat on medium to avoid your liquid thickening too quickly – patience is key here!
Chill thoroughly before serving. I know it can be tempting to dig into your eggnog right away but to achieve the best flavor, give it some time to chill in the refrigerator thoroughly first.
Add alcohol sparingly. If you choose to spike your Skinny Eggnog with liquor, add it slowly and with intention. Too much of a good thing isn’t so much of a good thing. Adding too much liquor can cause the eggnog flavor to be fully overpowered by the alcohol.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways and occasions to enjoy our Skinny Eggnog! Here are a few of my favorites:
With holiday cookies or treats. Christmas cookies make the best complement for a creamy glss of eggnog, and since we lightened this recipe up, go ahead and enjoy that cookie!
Served warm on a chilly night. Whether you have the family gathered around for Christmas Eve or you simply want to enjoy a warm, cozy drink on a chilly winter night, heating up your Skinny Eggnog on the stove before serving is a fantastic way to enjoy this seasonal drink.
FAQs
Q. Can you make this Skinny Eggnog ahead of time?
A. Absolutely! Skinny Eggnog actually works best prepared in advance as it allows for more time for the flavors to deepen. Prep your eggnog a day or two in advance, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and enjoy it when you’re ready!
Q. How long can you keep it in the fridge?
A. This Skinny Eggnog recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days so long as it’s in an airtight container. Be aware that you will likely need to stir your drink up a bit as some separation might occur.
Q. What’s the best alcohol to pair with eggnog?
A. Our eggnog recipe is great for spiced rum, brandy, or bourbon, all of which work well with the creamy, rich texture
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“FHM Skinny Eggnog”
Skinny Eggnog
Equipment
- 1 Medium saucepan
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 whisk
- 1 Serving pitcher
Ingredients
- 3 cups 1% milk, divided
- 1 Vanilla bean
- 2 large Eggs
- 1/3 cup Sugar
- 1 tsp Cornstarch
- Freshly ground nutmeg, for garnish
- Optional; spiced rum or bourbon
Instructions
- Warm 2 1/2 cups of milk in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
- Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and pod to the saucepan. Let simmer.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Slowly add the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, about 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously to temper the eggs.
- Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan.
- Stir consistently with a wooden spoon over medium heat until the eggnog starts to thicken, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup of milk to stop the cooking process.
- Discard the vanilla pod, allow the mixture to cool, and transfer to a pitcher. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Optionally, add spiced rum or bourbon to taste and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg before serving.
