Healthy Holiday Eggnog
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Healthy Holiday Eggnog is so creamy, refreshing, and completely guilt-free. Celebrate the holidays with this delicious and classic beverage with a healthy twist. Made with eggs and egg whites, almond milk, maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. This version of eggnog is dairy-free, gluten-free, no refined-sugars. Rich in protein and completely safe to drink with no raw eggs!
Healthy Holiday Eggnog
The Holidays haven’t officially arrived until you have had your first glass of creamy and refreshing eggnog. This classic beverage is a staple of any holiday season. Once you start to see eggnog being offered in restaurants and incorporated in other recipes, like this Walnut Eggnog French Toast Casserole, you know it’s that time of the year!
I’ve always loved eggnog since I was a kid. As I got older and started to develop digestive issues, eggnog became less and less tolerable for me. Classic eggnog recipes call for heavy cream and a lot of sugar. Store-bought eggnog is loaded with additives, saturated fats, and food coloring.
I decided to make my own lightened-up version a few years ago. This way I could enjoy a glass of eggnog without it upsetting my stomach. This version is also dairy-free and gluten-free which makes it allergen friendly. If you or someone you know has an egg allergy try this Vegan Eggnog.
Ingredients needed to make Healthy Holiday Eggnog:
- Eggs– I use a mix of eggs and egg whites.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk– Or any plant-based milk of choice.
- Spices– Ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and pink sea salt.
- Maple Syrup– For sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract– Adds depth to flavor.
- Cinnamon Sticks – For garnish.
Equipment needed to make Healthy Holiday Eggnog:
- Blender– To blend all of the ingredients together.
- Medium Saucepan– For heating eggnog on stovetop.
- Large Wide Mouth Mason Jar– To store eggnog in.
How to make Healthy Holiday Eggnog:
- Step 1– Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high speed for 60-90 seconds.
- Step 2– Pour eggnog in a medium saucepan and place on stovetop. Turn heat on low and allow eggnog to come to a very light simmer. Continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on it. Make sure that egg is not fully cooking or scrambling. Do not allow eggnog to come to a boil.
- Step 3– Turn stove off and remove saucepan from stovetop. Let eggnog sit in pot for another 5 minutes so that it starts to cool-down. Pour eggnog in a mason jar or any other jar with an airtight lid. Leave open until it completely cools-off.
- Step 4– Seal tightly and place eggnog in the fridge. Allow eggnog to sit in the fridge and chill for at least 4 hours. Preferably overnight.
- Step 5– Once eggnog has chilled enough pour in a glass and garnish with a dust of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick. Enjoy!
Tips and Substitutions:
- Be sure to keep eggnog on a light simmer and that it doesn’t come to a boil- A light simmer for 15 minutes will cook the egg enough to kill any bacteria. But also won’t allow it to start fully cooking or scrambling. You do not want scrambled eggs floating in your eggnog.
- Use any kind of milk you prefer- You can use any kind of plant based or even dairy milk you may prefer.
- Substitute for maple syrup- You can use honey.
- Give eggnog a good shake or stir before serving- Eggnog will set in the fridge as it chills. Give it a good shake or stir before serving.
How to serve Healthy Holiday Eggnog:
Place your health holiday eggnog in the fridge and allow it to chill for at least four hours. Preferably if it chills overnight. Serve in a glass mug and sprinkle some ground cinnamon over the top for garnish. I also like to add a cinnamon stick as a garnish. You can also top with whipped cream if desired.
Healthy Holiday Eggnog FAQ’s:
What is eggnog made of?
Traditional eggnog is usually made with eggs, sugar, milk, cream and spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. It’s very creamy and usually high in calories and saturated fats. This healthy holiday eggnog is made with much lighter ingredients.
Is Eggnog bad for you?
Classic eggnog is usually made with a lot of cream and sugar. Store-bought eggnog is loaded with additives such as guar gum, sunflower lecithin, and carrageenan. Which are mostly used as thickening agents. Store bought eggnog also tend to have food coloring and highly processed starches. All of these ingredients can cause inflammation and are not very healthy.
How can Eggnog be made healthier?
To make a version of eggnog that is healthier is pretty simple just by swapping a few ingredients. The fact that this eggnog is homemade already eliminates most of the toxic ingredients found in store-bought ones. This recipe calls for eggs and egg whites, which makes it rich in protein and lowers the amount of cholesterol. Maple syrup has nutrients which makes it easier for your body to break it down and process it. It’s also dairy-free and uses no starches making it naturally gluten-free and allergen friendly.
Storing Healthy Holiday Eggnog:
Keep your eggnog in a pitcher with a right lid or large mason jar. Keep your healthy holiday eggnog refrigerated for up to 3-5 days.
Did you like this Healthy Holiday Eggnog recipe? You may also like these other beverage recipes:
Fan of Eggnog? You may also like these other Eggnog recipes:
Healthy Holiday Eggnog
Healthy Holiday Eggnog is so creamy, refreshing, and completely guilt-free. Celebrate the holidays with this delicious and classic beverage with a healthy twist. Made with eggs and egg whites, almond milk, maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. This version of eggnog is dairy-free, gluten-free, no refined-sugars. Rich in protein and completely safe to drink with no raw eggs!
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg whites
- 2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp pink sea salt
- cinnamon sticks for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high speed for 60-90 seconds.
Pour eggnog in a medium saucepan and place on stovetop. Turn heat on low and allow eggnog to come to a very light simmer. Continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on it. Make sure that egg is not fully cooking or scrambling. Do not allow eggnog to come to a boil.
Turn stove off and remove saucepan from stovetop. Let eggnog sit in pot for another 5 minutes so that it starts to cool-down. Pour eggnog in a mason jar or any other jar with an airtight lid. Leave open until it completely cools-off.
Seal tightly and place eggnog in the fridge. Allow eggnog to sit in the fridge and chill for at least 4 hours. Preferably overnight.
Once eggnog has chilled enough pour in a glass and garnish with a dust of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Be sure to keep eggnog on a light simmer and that it doesn’t come to a boil- A light simmer for 15 minutes will cook the egg enough to kill any bacteria. But also won’t allow it to start fully cooking or scrambling. You do not want scrambled eggs floating in your eggnog.
- Use any kind of milk you prefer- You can use any kind of plant based or even dairy milk you may prefer.
- Substitute for maple syrup- You can use honey.
- Give eggnog a good shake or stir before serving- Eggnog will set in the fridge as it chills. Give it a good shake or stir before serving.
*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.
**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used.
**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.
