Dairy-Free Eggnog

 

 I will be honest, this year it just didn't feel like Christmas. Maybe because the temperature has been so nice and mild here in Okinawa, or maybe it's because I've been sick and feel like I've been playing catching up. Either way, I've been in a bah-humbug mood and wanted to get out of it. So, I decided to make eggnog. I've never really had it before, I've baked with the grocery store stuff but that's about it. However, this year I decided to throw caution to the wind and make a dairy-free version using maple syrup instead of sugar. Thankfully, it turned out to be a delicious custard drink, that my friend says tastes like legit eggnog. So, I will consider it a win and share the recipe here.

 

• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 (13.5 oz) can  full-fat coconut milk
• 2 cups unsweetened dairy-free milk
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 

1. In a medium bowl, add the egg yolks and maple syrup. Whisk together until light and creamy.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut milk, non-dairy milk and salt. Stir often, until the mixture just begins to simmer.
3. Add a big spoonful of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat, adding a big spoonful at a time, to temper the eggs.
4. Once most of the hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove.
5. Place over medium-low heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture reaches 160 to 165°F (about 2 to 5 minutes). The mixture should be just slightly thickened, it will continue to thicken as it cools.
6. Immediately pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl; stir in the vanilla and nutmeg.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least three hours and up to one week.
8. The dairy-free eggnog will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner eggnog, pour the mixture into a blender with 2-3 tablespoons of cashew milk and blend until smooth.

 

* If using alcohol, you can either add it to the batch when you add the vanilla and nutmeg, or add a shot of your choice to your drink when you pour yourself a glass.