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    Home » Recipes » Sweets

    Eggnog Gelato Ice Cream

    Published: Dec 1, 2020 Modified: Dec 1, 2020 by Candice

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Scoops of ice cream in a glass with a cinnamon stick.
    Eggnog ice cream with a cinnamon stick.

    Your favorite holiday drink just got a makeover with this decadent Eggnog Gelato. It’s sweet, creamy, and has just a hint of spice. You're just 6 ingredients away from holiday heaven: eggs, sugar, milk, cream, nutmeg, and rum/bourbon.

    Three scoops of ice cream in a pedestal glass with a stick of cinnamon.
    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 Why this Recipe Works
    2 Ingredients & Substitutions
    3 How to Make this Recipe
    4 Eggnog Ice Cream FAQs
    5 More Eggnog & Gelato
    6 Eggnog Gelato Ice Cream

    Why this Recipe Works

    Eggnog is a creamy rich drink, so it lends itself really nicely to becoming a rich gelato ice cream! It works because ice cream and eggnog already share a lot of the same ingredients, such as eggs, sugar and cream.

    The underlying molasses flavor of the rum or bourbon, as well as the spicy hit of nutmeg combine really beautifully with the dense, creamy taste of the ice cream base. I like to garnish with a stick of cinnamon for extra festive-ness. 

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    To make this recipe you will need 5 egg yolks, sugar, milk, cream, nutmeg, rum/bourbon.

    Labeled ingredients for eggnog ice cream including milk, cream, yolks, and nutmeg.

    rum & bourbon - I like to use a combination of the two, which also makes it a crowd-pleaser. But if you have a preference for one or the other, you can use it instead of the mix. Also, do not increase the alcohol content in this recipe or the gelato will not properly set.

    yolks - this recipe only uses egg yolks. They add a creamy, rich taste, and also contribute to the smoothness of the ice cream. Do not substitute with full eggs or you will not achieve the same texture.

    How to Make this Recipe

    Whisk the yolks and sugar together until pale yellow. Warm the milk, cream, and nutmeg until it just lightly simmers.

    Egg yolks and sugar whisked until pale yellow.

    Temper the egg/sugar mixture with the milk/cream mixture. Return to the saucepan and cook until thickened, stirring slowly and constantly. It should get to 170F.

    Ice cream base in a pot with a rubber spatula.

    Note: You can use a candy thermometer or infrared thermometer to check the temperature. (Amazon links open in a new tab.)

    Remove from heat. Stir in the rum/bourbon. Chill in the refrigerator at least 4 hours, and up to overnight.

    Note: f you cannot wait the 4 hours to chill the ice cream before churning it, you can chill it quickly over a bowl filled with ice water. Just stir the ice cream to cool the base faster than your refrigerator can.

    Note: Do not add more rum/bourbon than advised in the recipe or the ice cream will not solidify properly.

    The next day, add your chilled ice cream to your ice cream maker. Churn (stir setting) until it is the thickness of soft serve ice cream, ~20 minutes. You can enjoy it now as soft serve, or continue to final step for ice cream/gelato consistency.

    Ice cream churning in an ice cream maker.

    Transfer to a container you can freeze, cover with parchment paper (optional), and freeze at least 4 hours.

    Eggnog Ice Cream FAQs

    What Does Eggnog Ice Cream Taste Like?

    It's a custard-like ice cream with a hint of nutmeg and rum (or bourbon). Think frozen, creamy, nutmeg creme brûlée.

    Does it have alcohol?

    Yes, it usually has bourbon or rum, but you can also leave it out. Do not increase the alcohol in the ice cream base or it will not set or solidify properly.

    More Eggnog & Gelato

    If you love eggnog, you'll also love my whipped Dalgona-style eggnog with brown sugar bourbon meringue. It's incredible! And be sure to check out all my favorite gelato & ice cream, or just peruse all my dessert recipes here:

    • Eggnog with Brown Sugar Bourbon Meringue
    • London Fog Gelato Ice Cream
    • Hojicha Gelato
    • Strawberry Matcha Semifreddo

    ★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

    Three scoops of ice cream in a pedestal glass with a stick of cinnamon.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 12 votes

    Eggnog Gelato Ice Cream

    This Eggnog Gelato is the holiday heaven you've been waiting for, and only takes 6 ingredients: eggs, sugar, milk, cream, nutmeg, and rum.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Resting Time4 hrs
    Total Time5 hrs
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegetarian
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 309kcal
    Author: Candice

    Equipment

    • Thermometer

    Ingredients

    Eggnog Base

    • 5 yolks
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 2 cups milk
    • 1 cups cream
    • ¾ teaspoon nutmeg
    • 3 tablespoon rum/bourbon I use 2 tablespoon rum and 1 tablespoon bourbon.

    Instructions

    • Whisk the yolks and sugar together until pale yellow.
    • Warm the milk, cream, and nutmeg until it just lightly simmers.
    • Temper the egg/sugar mixture with the milk/cream mixture.
    • Return to the saucepan and cook until thickened, stirring slowly and constantly. It should get to 170°F.
    • Remove from heat. Stir in the rum/bourbon. Chill in the refrigerator at least 4 hours, and up to overnight.
    • The next day, add your chilled ice cream to your ice cream maker. Churn (stir setting) until it is the thickness of soft serve ice cream, ~20 minutes. You can enjoy it now as soft serve, or continue to final step for ice cream consistency.
    • Transfer to a container you can freeze, cover with parchment paper if it doesn't have a lid, and freeze at least 4 hours.

    Notes

    • If you cannot wait the 4 hours to chill the ice cream before churning it, you can chill it quickly over a bowl filled with ice water. Just stir the ice cream to cool the base faster than your refrigerator can.
    • Do not add more rum/bourbon than advised in the recipe or the ice cream will not solidify.
    • You can use a candy thermometer or infrared thermometer to check the temperature. (Amazon links open in a new tab.)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 169mg | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 698IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and/or comment! And tag @ProportionalPlate on TikTok or Instagram... I'd love to see what you're making.

    This post was originally published in September of 2020 but was republished with FAQs December of 2020.

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    1. Veronika

      December 27, 2020 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      This is amazing! I love eggnog and making it into gelato was a brilliant idea! Will be making this one again!

      Reply
      • Candice

        January 02, 2021 at 6:24 pm

        That makes me so happy to hear, Veronika!

        Reply
    2. Tammy

      December 27, 2020 at 2:49 pm

      5 stars
      Oh what a beautiful and creamy treat! Eggnog ice cream is like a dream..I got an ice cream maker for Christmas and had to make this immediately! So good!

      Reply
      • Candice

        January 02, 2021 at 6:26 pm

        That makes me so happy! Love that this was the inaugural recipe. Enjoy it!

        Reply
    3. Kushigalu

      December 27, 2020 at 2:34 am

      5 stars
      Just 6 ingredients to prepare this delicious treat. So creamy too. Thanks alot for sharing.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 27, 2020 at 12:27 pm

        I'm glad you liked it, Kushigalu!

        Reply
    4. Denise

      December 26, 2020 at 6:48 am

      5 stars
      This Eggnog Gelato Ice Cream is absolutely decadent! I need to make this again soon without a doubt!

      Reply
      • Candice

        January 02, 2021 at 6:29 pm

        That makes me so happy to hear, Denise!

        Reply
    5. Sandhya

      December 24, 2020 at 6:31 am

      5 stars
      Oh Yes! This is exactly what I needed for this holiday season. What an amazing depth of flavor and a great choice of dessert for eggnog lovers.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 27, 2020 at 12:34 pm

        I'm so glad to hear you liked it, Sandhya!

        Reply
    6. Addison

      December 23, 2020 at 11:43 am

      Oh my goodness I absolutely love egg nog!!! And this gelato came out so smooth and creamy!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 27, 2020 at 12:35 pm

        That makes me so happy to hear, Addison!

        Reply
    7. Tracy

      December 23, 2020 at 5:55 am

      5 stars
      This was SO good. What an amazing pairing, like a love child of eggnog and gelato, two of my favorite things! My whole family loved this, thank you!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 23, 2020 at 11:25 am

        I'm so glad to hear you liked it, Tracy!

        Reply
    8. Dennis

      December 22, 2020 at 2:10 am

      5 stars
      This Eggnog Gelato Ice Cream is perfect! It looks sooo mouthwatering and I can't wait to share with family and friends!

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 22, 2020 at 8:48 am

        I'm so glad to hear you like it, Dennis!

        Reply
    9. Daniela

      December 21, 2020 at 10:47 pm

      5 stars
      So tasty! Eggnog ice cream is exactly what I need for the holidays 🙂

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 22, 2020 at 8:48 am

        I couldn't agree more, Daniela!

        Reply
    10. Bernice

      December 21, 2020 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe. Your Hojicha Ice cream looks great too. Eggnog is basically custard, so great idea to turn it into a creamy cool treat.

      Reply
      • Candice

        December 22, 2020 at 8:49 am

        Exactly! So glad to hear you liked it, Bernice.

        Reply

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    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

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    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

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    208 shares