Eggnog Gelato Recipe - Making Life Delicious (2024)

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Eggnog Gelato Recipe - Making Life Delicious (1)

One of our holiday traditions was dashed this year when we couldn’t find Turkey Hill Eggnog Ice Cream. We always buy eggnog ice cream in December and Michael was quite dejected when I came home without the prize, so I set out to help him recover from his eggnog ice cream funk. I promised him an eggnog gelato and set off to create a recipe.

If you think about it, eggnog ice cream/gelato is truly French vanilla at heart, which is a custard much like real eggnog. I used the French vanilla gelato recipe in Making Artisan Gelato by Torrance Kopfer as a starting point and then played around a bit, adding more egg yolks, Myers Dark Rum, and nutmeg. Alcohol in ice cream or gelato affects the freezing temperature and has a tendency to keep the frozen product soft and sometimes a little loose, but adding a little cornstarch or arrowroot to the mixture helps the texture. We also pre-freeze the mixture, letting it rest about 30 minutes or so in the freezer before churning, which reduces the churning time. Less churning time means less air is whipped in, and that means the final texture is more like rich gelato.

Michael and I sampled the custard before chilling it and again after churning. We slurped eggnog gelato off the dasher and out of the bowl, not wanting to waste a single drop. Then after a 24-hour freeze time, we scooped some of the gelato into a bowl for a quick photo before resuming the slurping. The flavor of the dark rum comes through very well, but if rum isn’t your favorite and you prefer just a hint of rum in your eggnog, you can reduce the amount.

As with all gelatos, allow it to soften slightly before serving, and don’t forget to give it a dash of fresh grated nutmeg on top, just like a glass of good warm eggnog.

📖 Recipe

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Eggnog Gelato

Inspired by the French vanilla gelato recipe in Making Artisan Gelato by Torrance Kopfer.

Prep Time1 hour hr

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Chilling & Resting Time9 hours hrs

Total Time10 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Keyword: eggnog, gelato, ice cream

Servings: 8

Calories: 277kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 vanilla bean (cut in half and split down the middle)
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons arrowroot or cornstarch
  • 7 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons Myers Dark Rum
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg + extra for sprinkling

US Customary - Metric

Preparation

  • Attach the thermometer to the saucepan. Scrape the seeds out of the split vanilla bean, then put the bean and its seeds in the bottom of the saucepan. Add the milk and ½ cup (100 g) of the sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the thermometer registers 170° F/77° C. Remove from heat, cover, and allow to steep for 30 minutes.

  • Remove the vanilla bean pod and return the pot to the burner. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until the thermometer registers 170° F/77° C.

  • In a 3-quart bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the remaining ¼ cup (50 g) sugar, then whisk in all the egg yolks until the mixture is foamy and slightly thickened.

  • Temper the egg yolks by gradually adding about half of the hot milk mixture, just one ladle at a time, whisking continuously. Whisk the tempered egg mixture into the saucepan and return to the burner. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula until the thermometer registers 185° F/85° C. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Remove from heat and insert the immersion blender into the hot liquid. Blend (aka emulsify) until smooth. (Note: You can also use a whisk and vigorously whip the mixture, or use a blender.)

  • Make an ice bath in the large bowl and set the other 3-quart bowl on top. Add the heavy cream, rum, and nutmeg to the bowl and stir. Place a fine-mesh strainer on the rim of the bowl and carefully pour the custard through the strainer. You may need to stir it around and press through. Whisk the mixture together, and stir the custard about every 5 minutes until the mixture is cooled, about 30 minutes. Remove the bowl from the ice bath, dry the bottom, and cover with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight.

  • About 30 minutes before churning, set the bowl in the freezer to get the mixture as cold as possible without starting to freeze. Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s directions for processing.

  • Store the gelato in a plastic container. Press a layer of plastic wrap against the gelato and seal the lid on top. Freeze until fully hardened. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 218mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 763IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Share in the comments!

More Recipes with Eggnog

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  • Orange Cranberry Fool Tart
  • Eggnog Cheesecake with Dark Rum and Biscoff Cookie Crust
  • Christmas Cakes
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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Thanks for visiting! Let me know what you think!

  1. Marc @ NoRecipes says

    What a brilliant idea! Also like that you used arrowroot instead of cornstarch, I like the texture better.

    Reply

  2. Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen says

    This is totally awesome Andrea! I love it! Eggnog is one of my most favorite things in the world!

    Reply

  3. Judy says

    Yummmmm! I can only imagine how incredibly delicious this was!!! May need to make before the week is through!

    Reply

  4. Stephanie - Wasabimon says

    Ok, that settles it. I'm coming to your house for Christmas. What time should I be there? 😉

    Reply

  5. peabody says

    That looks awesome.
    I love the sprinkle of fresh nutmeg on top as well!

    Reply

  6. meeta says

    loving this! egg nog and gelato/ice-cream go together - andrea this is brilliant!

    Reply

  7. Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet says

    This looks delish!

    Reply

  8. T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types says

    Wow!!! This is a MERRY dessert! What a great idea - you can really customize ice cream so many different ways.

    Reply

  9. Jan says

    Can I substitute the sugar in the Applesauce Cake with Brown Sugar Splenda?

    Reply

    • Andrea says

      Hi Jan. I don't use Splenda, so I can't be certain.

      Reply

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Eggnog Gelato Recipe - Making Life Delicious (2024)

FAQs

Do you use eggs in gelato? ›

Like ice cream, gelato uses milk, cream, and sugar, but it differs in proportions. Gelato uses less cream and more milk than ice cream and typically contains no egg yolks or eggs at all. Gelato is served slightly warmer than American ice cream and is also churned at a slower rate, introducing less air into the product.

What is eggnog made of? ›

Eggnog is traditionally made with eggs, egg yolk, sugar, milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract. It's often spiked with brandy, rum or other liquor, and topped with freshly grated nutmeg and/or cinnamon sticks.

What company makes eggnog ice cream? ›

Eggnog | Blue Bell Ice Cream.

What is eggnog ice cream made of? ›

Mix eggnog, heavy cream, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions until it reaches "soft-serve" consistency.

What makes gelato so creamy? ›

Gelato is churned at a slower speed, incorporating less air into the mixture. This results in a denser, creamier texture. While ice cream can contain up to 50% air (overrun), gelato typically has around 20-30% air.

What is the secret to gelato? ›

There isn't really a “secret” ingredient in gelato – the magic lies in the process. However, what sets gelato apart from its frozen dessert counterparts is the quality of the ingredients used and the low amount of air incorporated during the slow churning process.

What is the best alcohol to put in eggnog? ›

Choose The Right Spirit

While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

Can you eat raw eggs in eggnog? ›

If a recipe calls for folding raw, beaten egg whites into the eggnog, use pasteurized eggs. It has not been proven that raw egg whites are free of Salmonella bacteria. If you purchase eggnog from your local grocery store, the eggnog has been prepared with pasteurized eggs. You do not need to cook it.

Why is eggnog so expensive? ›

Canadian chef Heidi Fink states that one of the reasons people are making less homemade eggnog is that the beverage is expensive to make, due to its use of substantial quantities of cream, eggs, and spirits. Concerns about the safety of raw eggs may be another reason for the decline in homemade eggnog making.

Why do they stop selling eggnog? ›

Most plants keep producing eggnog through New Year's, and start dumping their unsold product in January. Although associated with the holidays, eggnog doesn't need to be seasonal. Dairy plants could produce small batches of eggnog off-season for hard-core nogheads, but they don't because it's not cost-effective.

What is the black owned eggnog? ›

Black-Owned 'Uncle Nearest' Whiskey Partners With Top-Selling Ice Cream Brand 'Jeni's' To Produce Boozy Egg Nog Flavor. The partnership is one of the first of its kind, and is poised to rake in big bucks during the holiday season.

What did eggnog used to be called? ›

While culinary historians debate its exact lineage, most agree eggnog originated from the early medieval Britain “posset,” a hot, milky, ale-like drink. By the 13th century, monks were known to drink a posset with eggs and figs.

What is the difference between nog and eggnog? ›

There's holiday nog made with milk and eggs but can't be called eggnog because of added booze, for example. Same goes for nog made of dairy alternatives, like almond or soy milk. But straight up milk and cream with no eggs—well, that's considered to be poor cousin of the real deal.

Does Blue Bell make eggnog ice cream? ›

Calling all eggnog fans! Make spirits bright with this rich, creamy milkshake featuring Blue Bell Eggnog Ice Cream. This revamped holiday classic will soon become a must-have dessert!

Does gelato have dairy or egg? ›

Gelato is a frozen dairy-based Italian dessert made by combining cream, milk, sugar, and air. Despite containing the same basic ingredients as ice cream, gelato is actually much richer and denser than its close cousin.

Is Talenti gelato made with eggs? ›

Imagine having world class Belgian chocolate at your fingertips…or better yet always in your freezer. Using imported Belgian chocolate, fresh milk, cream, eggs, and a hint of vanilla, we created the decadent Talenti's Belgian Chocolate Gelato.

What is traditional gelato made of? ›

Gelato is made with milk, cream, various sugars, and ingredients such as fresh fruit and nut purees. It is simply the Italian word for ice cream, derived from the Latin word “gelātus” (meaning frozen).

What is a substitute for egg yolks in gelato? ›

In Sicily eggs aren't used because gelato is easier to digest without the egg yolks and eggs also add a cost. But there is a secret ingredient that you can add to your gelato to give it a creamier, less icy texture: cornflour or fine cornstarch.

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