Grandma Dot’s Homemade Eggnog Recipe — Southern Style Comfort Eggnog

As I reminisce about the holidays over an open fire. I embrace Jack Frost nipping at my nose. The sounds of Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas act as the yuletide carol’s being sung by a single choir. All the family sits around the fire together while dressed in bundles to keep out the cold. Oh, the holidays I do love. The warmth of the eggnog soothes my tender fingers. These bright memories are the foundation of how I have come to know the holidays. What these memories uncover are emotions of joy and happiness.

The Eggnog is one of my most vivid memories of the holidays. My Grandmother makes a fresh batch every year. For the adults, if you ask nicely, Granny will slip a shot of Cognac into your holiday drink. Since becoming an adult, I have enjoyed a generous shot of XO Brandy in my Eggnog with my relatives during the holidays. XO to celebrate the extra old traditions of my family, each generation celebrating how their older generations had before them.

Not everyone has a family and not every family has every member. The holidays may not have turned out how you wanted them to, but that does not mean that we cannot find small moments of pleasure to celebrate the upcoming holidays. So I am offering this simple phrase for ages 1-92; although it has been said many times and many ways, on behalf of the Exclusive Chefs team, Merry Christmas to you and whoever you are blessed to spend this holiday season with.

Below is the recipe for Grandma Dot’s Homestyle Eggnog recipe . Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 tbsp flour
2 pinches of salt
1 tbsp nutmeg
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 egg yolks (separate whites)

Decadent Milk Mix Ingredients 

1 quart half and half
1/2 gal milk
2 cans carnation

DIRECTIONS

1. First mix the dry ingredients together. Combine sugar, flour and salt in the same medium sauce pot that you will make the eggnog with. Mix egg yolks into the dry mix.
2. Add 1 quart of milk to a medium sauce pot. Turn heat to low and allow the milk to heat up. Ideally use a heavier pot for better heat distribution. This is important for preventing scorching of the milk mix.
3. Once the milk begins to simmer, stir in the entire quart of half and half and 1 can of carnation evaporated milk. Stir and allow mixture to simmer again.
4. Once simmering again add the leftover milk and the last can of carnation. Stir frequently and allow mixture to thicken.
5. When the eggnog and milk mixture have thickened, add vanilla extract.
6. While you wait for the eggnog to thicken, whip the egg whites into a thick foam (using an electric mixer or whisk).
7. The final step is to use a ladle to scoop the eggnog into a mug. To make eggnog with alcohol, I suggest adding 2oz. of XO brandy before spooning the meringue on top of eggnog.
8. Garnish with 2 dashes of nutmeg for the perfect cup of eggnog.

KITCHEN HACK:

Here’s an easy eggnog recipe using Grandma Dot’s Homestyle Eggnog Custard. The custard base works as a paste and can be added to warm milk for a simple, but delicious cup of warm eggnog. Use the recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

4 egg yolks(separate whites)
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 tbsp flour
2 pinches of salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp nutmeg

DIRECTIONS

1. First mix the dry ingredients together. Combine sugar, flour, nutmeg and salt in a mixing bowl.
2. Add vanilla extract and mix the egg yolks with a whisk. Whisk all ingredients together until stiff.
3. Store eggnog mix in a covered container in the refrigerator for later use. Anytime you feel like having a cup of delicious southern style eggnog use the paste for a quick fix.

Written by Chef Mark Copeland