20 Eggnog Desserts to Sweeten the Holiday Season

September 12, 2019
Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller
Eggnog is a holiday staple, and if you haven’t taken it beyond the party cocktail, you haven’t explored the true reaches of what this drink can do. The creamy flavor aligns perfectly with desserts, particularly cheesecakes, ice cream, cookies, and pound cake. So this holiday season, don’t just drink your eggnog—make sure to enjoy a bite of these eggnog desserts too. 
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Eggnog Cookies 

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall and Kady Wohlfarth; Prop Styling: Kay Clarke
Eggnog Cookies  Recipe

Even if you don't love eggnog, you'll love this cookie. 

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Eggnog Banana Bread

Jennifer Causey
Eggnog Banana Bread Recipe

A mash-up of the retro holiday drink and the classic quick bread makes perfect sense: Booze, cream, and nutmeg pair perfectly with banana, vanilla, and brown sugar. These whole-grain mini loaves are a great alternative to cupcakes, and much easier to package without a dome of messy frosting. If you don't have mini loaf pans, you can use 12 muffin cups lined with cupcake liners. For a kid-friendly drizzle, you can swap the alcohol for fresh orange juice.

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Creamy Eggnog Ice Cream

Photo: Oxmoor House
Creamy Eggnog Ice Cream Recipe
Holiday desserts aren't limited to cakes and pies. Break out of the mug by serving your eggnog in a rich ice cream recipe that's loaded with the fragrant flavor of vanilla bean and ground nutmeg.
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Eggnog Pie

Photo: Oxmoor House
Eggnog Pie Recipe
This make-ahead pie is an Editor's Favorite around our offices. Eggnog skips its usual spot in the mug to shine in this chilled dessert.

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Eggnog Mudslide

Meredith Food Studios
Eggnog Mudslide Recipe

 

If you’re in the mood to drink your dessert this holiday season (or you’re just tired of plain eggnog), this tall, creamy glass of sweet decadence—also known as an Eggnog Mudslide—is everything you’re looking for. 

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Gingerbread Cake Roll with Eggnog Cream

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Gingerbread Cake Roll with Eggnog Cream Recipe

Made with fresh ginger, bourbon, and molasses, this dark, spicy gingerbread cake pairs wonderfully with the light and creamy eggnog filling. This cake does need to chill for at least 8 hours, so make sure you plan ahead. Dust the top of this gingerbread cake roll with powdered sugar for an extra holiday touch. When it comes to your ginger, choose clean knobs of fresh ginger root with smooth, shiny skin. Store in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator and use it before it begins to shrivel. Remove the peel with a vegetable peeler or the tip of a metal spoon.

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Boozy Eggnog Souffle

PHOTO BY GINA DISIMONE
Boozy Eggnog Souffle Recipe
Warning: This may make you like eggnog

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Spiced Eggnog Pound Cake

Spiced Eggnog Pound Cake Recipe
Eggnog not’s just for sipping: Use it to add extra richness and flavor to a holiday bundt cake.

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Vegan Eggnog

Greg DuPree
Vegan Eggnog Recipe

Cashew milk is one of the thickest nut milks, with a mild flavor that makes it ideal as a plant-based swap in this classic sipper. Compared to store-bought versions, our nog has about half the calories and 2/3 less sugar per serving.

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Gingerbread Cookie Eggnog Ice Cream Sandwiches

Time Inc. Video Studio
Gingerbread Cookie Eggnog Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe

Featuring gingerbread cookies and eggnog ice cream, these decadent ice cream sandwiches are the holiday flavor mashup of the season. While we opted to use store-bought mix and ice cream for convenience, you could certainly use your favorite from-scratch gingerbread and eggnog ice cream recipes if you’d prefer to go the homemade route. (Quick tip: You can make your own easy eggnog ice cream simply by pouring a container of eggnog into your ice cream maker and processing according to the manufacturer’s instructions.) Miniature versions of these sweet, spirits dessert sandwiches could also be made using a small round cookie cutter. 

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Eggnog Cheese Pie with Bourbon Cream

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Eggnog Cheese Pie with Bourbon Cream Recipe
This light version of eggnog pie is topped with heavenly bourbon cream.

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Eggnnog Whoopie Pies

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine
Eggnnog Whoopie Pies Recipe

The rich, creamy filling can be made up to 3 days ahead and then piped onto fresh, cooled cookies. Bourbon makes the filling lick-the-bowl good, but you can omit the booze for a kid-friendly treat.

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Layered Eggnog Cream with Puff Pastry

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller
Layered Eggnog Cream with Puff Pastry Recipe

Any seasonal berry works with this dessert.

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Eggnog Fudge

Eggnog Fudge Recipe
Christmas isn't complete without a dose of eggnog. Try your favorite holiday drink in a candy recipe. Eggnog fudge incorporates the rich flavor of eggnog in an already classic holiday dessert recipe.

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Chai Tea Eggnog Cookies

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Caroline Murphey
Chai Tea Eggnog Cookies Recipe

The chai gives this cookie a kick while the eggnog topping shows a sweet side.

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Eggnog Cheesecake With Gingersnap Crust

Eggnog Cheesecake With Gingersnap Crust Recipe
The 15-minute prep, which includes a three-ingredient crust, is super simple, thanks to the option of using either refrigerated or canned eggnog. Our test kitchens tested both and enjoyed the results equally.

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Eggnog Creamsicle

Meredith Food Studios 
Eggnog Creamsicle Recipe

Even if you’re not the biggest fan of eggnog served straight, we’re willing to bet you might just love it in this dreamy holiday spin on a creamsicle.

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Eggnog Magic Cake

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Blakesle Giles
Eggnog Magic Cake Recipe

Finally, eggnog you can eat. One magic cake batter transforms into two layers when baked and chilled: a cake layer and a custard layer. This dessert looks difficult to make, but is actully simple with easy-to-find ingredients. Try it topped with boozy whipped cream, made by whipping heavy cream and bourbon until stiff peaks form. 

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Old-Fashioned Eggnog

Old-Fashioned Eggnog Recipe

Serve this classic holiday recipe for some good, old-fashioned fun. You can omit the alcohol if serving to little ones.

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Layered Eggnog Blondies

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller
Layered Eggnog Blondies Recipe

These treats have a split personality: 1 part blondie, 1 part eggnog cheesecake. Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container up to one week.

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