Eggnog Whipped Cream

Eggnog Whipped Cream is a festive twist on traditional whipped cream. It is also a great way to use up any eggnog you may have hanging out in your fridge. It’s creamy, light, and slightly spiced, making it the perfect topping for your favorite holiday desserts, hot drinks, or even just a spoonful on its own. Whip up a batch today to take your holiday desserts (and beverages) to the next level.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

Heavy Whipping Cream: For the best homemade whipped cream, you'll want heavy whipping cream with a high fat content, ideally 36% or more. This ensures it whips up beautifully and holds its shape.

Eggnog: To make whipped eggnog, you'll want a high-quality, rich eggnog with a thick consistency and a strong, balanced flavor. A personal favorite is actually Good & Gather Organic Egg Nog (sold at Target) and Southern Comfort Traditional Egg Nog. They both are on the thicker side.

Rum: Adding some rum to eggnog whipped cream can boost the holiday flavor and give it a fun twist. However, use it sparingly so it doesn’t stop the cream from whipping properly. If you want the taste but not the alcohol, try rum extract - it’s stronger and won’t affect the texture. I use Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, which is gluten-free.

Powdered Sugar: Since eggnog is already sweetened, you only need a few tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar to sweeten homemade eggnog whipped cream. I prefer powdered sugar because it dissolves easily.

Nutmeg: Nutmeg’s warm, nutty, and earthy aroma perfectly complements the richness of eggnog. Its subtle sweetness enhances the creamy flavors without overpowering the eggnog flavor. If you have whole nutmeg in your pantry, I recommend grating it yourself with a microplane. Freshly grated nutmeg has a more vibrant and robust flavor than pre-ground, though pre-ground will work just as well.

What is Eggnog?

Eggnog is a creamy, sweet holiday drink made with eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. It dates back to medieval Europe, where it evolved from a warm milk-and-wine drink, and became popular in Colonial America with the addition of rum. Today, people enjoy it chilled, often spiked with alcohol like rum or whiskey, and it's a festive treat commonly served during the Christmas season.

Are Eggnog and Eierlikör the same?

Eggnog and Eierlikör (the German word for egg liqueur) are similar in that they both use eggs, sugar, and alcohol, but they are not exactly the same.

Eggnog is typically a drink made with milk or cream, sugar, eggs, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. It’s often served chilled and can be spiked with alcohol like rum, whiskey, or brandy. Eggnog sold at most grocery stores in the dairy section is actually non-alcoholic.

Eierlikör, on the other hand, is a thicker, more syrupy liqueur made primarily from egg yolks, sugar, alcohol (usually brandy or vodka), and vanilla. It’s more concentrated and often used in small amounts as a dessert topping or mixed into drinks.

How to make Eggnog Whipped Cream

Making eggnog whipped cream is fairly simple and a great way to give whipped cream a festive holiday twist. I use my stand mixer to make this recipe, but of course, an electric hand mixer works just as well. If you're mixing by hand, I recommend using a tall vessel, like this pitcher, to help reduce splatters all over your kitchen.

To make cleanup easier, I like to throw a clean kitchen towel over my stand mixer. It catches any splatters that might occur, keeping the mess to a minimum!

1. Start out by placing your mixing bowl and beaters (or whisk attachment) in the freezer for about 15 minutes before starting. This helps the cream whip more easily.
2. Once chilled, add the cold heavy cream, cold eggnog, rum or rum extract (if using), powdered sugar, and freshly grated nutmeg to your chilled bowl.
3. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, begin whipping the mixture on low speed, gradually increasing the speed. I like to drape a clean kitchen towel over my stand mixer to catch any splatters that may occur.
4. As the mixture begins to thicken, increase the speed to high. Whip until stiff peaks form, about 2-3 minutes. Keep in mind that if you use rum in your eggnog whipped cream, it may not whip to very stiff peaks.
5. Turn off the mixer and adjust sweetness and spices if needed.
6. Use your eggnog whipped cream immediately to top desserts like pie, cake, hot chocolate, or even eggnog itself!

How to serve Eggnog Whipped Cream

The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving eggnog whipped cream. Just about any dessert or drink benefits from a little holiday flair!

• In Drinks: Add it to homemade hot chocolate, coffee, or, of course, eggnog for extra flavor and richness. You can even use it to garnish a holiday themed martini or cocktail with it.
• On Desserts: Top pies (especially pumpkin or apple), gluten free coffee cakes, and cheesecake for a creamy, spiced finish. I love a generous dollop on my Gluten Free Breakfast Cake.
• On Waffles or Pancakes: Skip the syrup and top your (gluten free) breakfast with a dollop of eggnog whipped cream instead.
• Eggnog Cream Puffs: Instead of filling Gluten Free Cream Puffs with vanilla whipped cream, fill them with some eggnog whipped cream instead for a little holiday touch.

Storage & Freezing

Store any leftover eggnog whipped cream in an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing other odors in the refrigerator. Use it within 1-2 days, as whipped cream can lose its texture and fluffiness over time. If it starts to separate, simply give it a quick re-whip.

If you want to freeze leftover eggnog whipped cream, portion it out into small portions on a parchment-lined sheet tray. Freeze for 1-2 hours, or until the dollops are firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 1-2 months. You can use the whipped cream straight from the freezer to garnish warm drinks - just add it to the drink, and the warmth will quickly thaw it. Keep in mind that when thawed, frozen whipped cream may be a little less fluffy and more runny compared to when it was freshly whipped.

FAQ - Eggnog Whipped Cream