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    Home » Desserts » Eggnog Ice Cream Pie

    Nov 15, 2012 · Modified: Oct 17, 2020 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 18 Comments

    Eggnog Ice Cream Pie

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Eggnog Ice Cream Pie is made with homemade ice cream, a gingersnap crust, and rum whipped cream. It's a simple dessert that's perfect for the holidays!

    View of a slice of eggnog ice cream pie on a white plate with a dollop of rum whipped cream and blue and gold sprinkles with Christmas bells, sprinkles, and a glass of eggnog in the background with recipe title at top

    (This recipe for Eggnog Ice Cream Pie was originally posted in November 2012, but was updated with new photos in 2019).

    So, it's November 15 and I'm onto my second eggnog recipe for the blog. I can't be held responsible. I 100% blame my husband and my love for him and his love for eggnog.

    The thing is, I love him so much that I want to cook and bake all the things that make him happy. Nothing to do with me at all. I mean, what do I want to do with an Eggnog Ice Cream Pie in the freezer? Absolutely nothing.

    However, it is a little rude to force him to eat dessert alone, so to be nice, I sat down and had a slice with him. Or two. Maybe more... I can't remember. Just because I'm a kind, loving person. I should get extra points or something for that, right? That's what I thought.

    The magical thing about this recipe is that you don't even need any eggnog to make it. You're essentially making your own eggnog and, let me tell you, this ice cream tastes exactly like eggnog. Consider my mind blown.

    For the ice cream, I adapted a recipe from Simply Recipes because I wanted to be certain my eggnog ice cream would taste pretty darn close to the real thing. I was quite pleased. I mean, Chris was. Yup, that's exactly what I meant.

    EGGNOG ICE CREAM PIE RECIPE

    Aside from that homemade eggnog ice cream, the only other components to this ice cream pie are the gingersnap crust. It's funny that just one little cookie crust can take a simple ice cream into a fit for a holiday dinner dessert.

    How to Make Eggnog Ice Cream

    If you've never made your own ice cream before, eggnog ice cream is a good place to star! I promise it's quite easy and though it takes a little bit of time (mostly waiting for it to chill), it's well worth it.

    Start by putting milk and 1 cup of the cream into a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

    Heat the mixture until it’s just about to come to a boil (but don’t let it actually start boiling), then turn heat to low, cover, and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes so the spices can seep.

    I know. The last thing you want when you're making ice cream is to wait even longer for it to be ready. But this part is essential for the full eggnog flavor.

    Pick out the cloves and stir in the sugar until it dissolves.

    Whisk egg yolks in a medium heat-proof bowl. Slowly pour about half the warm milk mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks, whisking the entire time (this method will help temper the egg yolks so they don’t start cooking). Now pour this mixture back into the saucepan with remaining milk.

    While you're waiting for your mixture to thicken (should take about 10-15 minutes), place a heat-proof bowl with the remaining 1 cup cream over a larger bowl filled with an ice bath.

    And once your mixture coats the back of the spoon, strain the heated mixture into the cold cream, stirring constantly.

    Collage showing process for making eggnog ice cream, including spices seeping in milk, eggs being tempered with hot milk and cream, and eggnog ice cream base chilling

    Put the mixture in the fridge to continue chilling for at least 4 hours. I like to chill mine overnight, so I'll often start the ice cream-making process the night before and finish it in the morning, so my ice cream is ready later that day.

    Once chilled, stir in vanilla and rum and process the mixture in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instruction.

    Mine took about 20 minutes to thicken up in my ice cream maker (here's an affiliate link to the ice cream maker I own and love).

    Overhead view of eggnog ice cream processing in an ice cream maker

    Then put it the ice cream in airtight containers and freeze again, for 4 hours or more, so the ice cream hardens up.

    How to Make Gingersnap Crust

    At one of the many waiting periods in your ice cream making process, you can get started on your gingersnap crust. Of course, if you wanted to just make the ice cream and eat it with a spoon out of the container, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that! But a pie is extra fun if you're serving guests. And this gingersnap crust is basically the easiest thing ever.

    Start by putting gingersnap cookies in a blender or food processor. And process until you have fine crumbs.

    Then, in a medium bowl, combine crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and ginger. Mix together.

    Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan.

    And bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes until crust is firm. Cool completely.

    Collage showing process for making gingersnap crust, including gingersnaps in food processor, gingersnap crumbs mixed with butter and sugar, and gingersnap crumbs pressed into the bottom of a pie plate for crust.

    How to Make Rum Whipped Cream

    And when you're almost ready to serve your pie "whip up" your whipped cream. With rum. Obvi. This is a totally optional step and if you're tired and just want to eat this eggnog ice cream pie already, you can totally skip it and buy a can of whipped cream. I won't tell.

    But this one is super easy. Just put heavy cream in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer. Whip until it begins thickening and then add sugar, rum, and vanilla. Continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.

    Now you're ready to compose your pie. Spread about a quart of the ice cream into your cooled gingersnap crust.  Place back in the fridge for another hour or so.

    Overhead view of eggnog ice cream atop of gingersnap crust.

    And then slice and serve with whipped cream on top. And a little bit more nutmeg. Alternatively, you could cover all of the ice cream with whipped cream, but I prefer just a dollop on top.

    Overhead view of a slice of eggnog ice cream pie on a white plate with a dollop of rum whipped cream, blue and gold sprinkles, and a fork with Christmas bells, sprinkles, and glass of eggnog in background.

    And thus, another delicious eggnog dessert is born.

    Now, I have a weird obsession with making my own ice cream, but I totally understand if you don't or if you don't own an ice cream machine or if you just think this pie just looks like too much work. You can certainly buy egg nog flavored ice cream (or whatever flavor you choose!) and just make the crust and whipped cream.

    I mean, I guess you could potentially buy the crust and the whipped cream from the store, too. You could even lie to your guests and pretend you made the entire thing from scratch and you might be able to fool them all...

    But I promise you that this ice cream pie will be exponentially times better if you make it from scratch. You'll probably feel pretty good about yourself, too. And since you were on your feet in the kitchen for a couple hours, you likely burned off a good amount of calories.

    Which means you can eat an extra slice. I'm all about the justifications.

    Landscape photo of slice of eggnog ice cream pie on a white plate on a marble tray with fork, sprinkles, Christmas bells, holly, and glass of eggnog in background.

    But really, the best justification is simply making this eggnog ice cream pie for a loved one and not forcing that loved one to eat alone.

    Nobody likes to eat alone while you sit and stare at them. Be kind to your loved ones and don't let it happen. Especially during the holiday season.

    OK, fine. I admit it. I absolutely loved this eggnog ice cream pie. And to be honest, I'm not generally a fan of whipped cream. But homemade and with rum? That I can deal with.

    View of a slice of eggnog ice cream pie on a white plate with a dollop of rum whipped cream and blue and gold sprinkles with Christmas bells, sprinkles, and a glass of eggnog in the background.

    But it's definitely the nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger spices that made this really come together and feel like the holidays for me. So worth every second it took to make that ice cream!

    Do you often make desserts from scratch though you could buy all the components from the grocery store?

    If you're looking for more holiday eggnog desserts, check out my Spiked Eggnog Doughnuts and my Eggnog Linzer Cookies. And now I'm really craving these Rum and Eggnog Milkshakes from Whipped It Up!

    Eggnog Ice Cream Pie

    Eggnog Ice Cream Pie is made with homemade ice cream, a gingersnap crust, and rum whipped cream. It's a simple dessert that's perfect for the holidays.
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Christmas Desserts, Eggnog Desserts, Holiday Ice Cream
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Chill Time: 9 hours
    Makes: 8 servings
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    Eggnog Ice Cream

    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 2 cups heavy cream
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
    • 3 whole cloves
    • ⅛ tsp salt
    • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
    • 6 large egg yolks
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 3 Tbsp rum

    Gingersnap Crust

    • 1 ½ cups crushed gingersnaps (about 28 cookies)
    • 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
    • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
    • ½ tsp ground ginger

    Rum Whipped Cream (optional)

    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • ½ Tbsp granulated sugar
    • 1 Tbsp rum
    • 1 tsp vanilla

    Instructions

    Eggnog Ice Cream

    • Put milk and 1 cup of the cream into a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
    • Heat mixture until it’s just about to come to a boil (but don’t let it actually start boiling), then turn heat to low, cover, and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes so the spices can seep.
    • Pick out cloves and add in sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar.
    • Whisk egg yolks in a medium heat-proof bowl. Slowly pour about half the warm milk mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks, whisking the entire time (this method will help temper the egg yolks so they don’t start cooking). Now pour this mixture back into the saucepan with remaining milk.
    • Turn the heat back up to medium and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens up enough that it coats the back of the spoon.
    • While you’re waiting for your mixture to thicken (should take about 10-15 minutes), place a heat-proof bowl with the remaining 1 cup cream over a larger bowl filled with an ice bath. Strain the heated mixture into the cold cream, stirring constantly.
    • Place bowl in the fridge to continue chilling for at least 4 hours.
    • Once chilled, stir in vanilla and rum and process the mixture in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instruction. Put ice cream it in airtight containers and freeze again, for at least 4 hours to harden ice cream.
    • Spread about a quart of eggnog ice cream into cooled gingersnap crust. Place back in the fridge for another hour and then slice and serve with whipped cream on top

    Gingersnap Crust

    • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Place gingersnaps in a food processor or blender and process until you have fine crumbs.
    • In a medium bowl, combine gingersnap crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and ginger. Mix together.
    • Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake for about 12 minutes until crust is firm. Cool completely.

    Rum Whipped Cream

    • Put heavy cream in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer. Whip until it begins thickening and then add sugar, rum, and vanilla. Continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.

    Notes

    • Ice cream recipe lightly adapted from Simply Recipes.
    • Ice cream recipe makes about 1 ½ quarts ice cream so you may have some leftover.
    • You can use plain store-bought whipped cream instead of the homemade rum whipped cream if you want.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!
    Eggnog Ice Cream Pie
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      November 15, 2012 at 2:24 pm

      Whipped cream with rum on eggnog ice cream pie?? Yes, please! I agree that we should never eat our loved ones eat alone 😉

    2. Emily aka The Three Bite Rule says

      November 15, 2012 at 2:25 pm

      this looks to. die. for. I'm salivating as I type.

    3. Ashley says

      November 15, 2012 at 3:05 pm

      I'm still new to egg nog. It was never big in my family, but I tried one of your recipes last year and loved it! This - ice cream and gingersnaps! - will be on the to-make list for sure! And I definitely make things from scratch when I could easily buy them. Not all the time, but more often than not. I was in a candy store that made their own product on premises, but I didn't buy anything because I thought "I could totally make that, but I'd do this flavor..." It's way more fun!

    4. Michelle Collins says

      November 15, 2012 at 3:46 pm

      This looks bomb dot com. And I always think things taste better from scratch, although sometimes it's nice to take the easy way out! Just depends on my mood, I guess. 😉

    5. em says

      November 15, 2012 at 6:13 pm

      never too early to start with egg nog recipes! 🙂

    6. Sharon says

      November 15, 2012 at 8:54 pm

      OMG this looks incredible! I plan to use your Gingersnap crust recipe for my Thanksgiving pumpkin pie…I'll let you be the judge...

    7. Katie says

      November 15, 2012 at 9:39 pm

      Looks delicious!! I don't usually like egg nog on it's own, but in ice cream form I'm all for it!

    8. Betty says

      November 15, 2012 at 9:50 pm

      This looks sooo good. I love it when the egg nog starts appearing in the grocery store, but this ice cream sounds even better. 🙂

    9. lena says

      November 15, 2012 at 10:55 pm

      sues, you're really a sweet darling! i heard of egg nog several times but dont really know what is that actually. Thanks for the stepby step photos, it's really helpful and the ice cream pie looks incredible! oh, enjoy your holidays!

    10. Chris says

      November 16, 2012 at 12:24 am

      So so so good. Nom nom nom! Please make this again soon.

    11. LisaR. says

      November 16, 2012 at 6:45 am

      Looks so delicious I am salivating already! I will definitely make this - tx for the recipe!

    12. Shannon says

      November 16, 2012 at 4:11 pm

      this looks phenomenal, and love the gingersnap crust, too!

    13. Odetta says

      November 16, 2012 at 8:51 pm

      This looks so pretty!! All kinds of wintry and eggnoggy!

    14. Jess @ Sweet Athena says

      November 17, 2012 at 10:40 am

      This looks sooooo good!!! I love it when I make something from scratch I could have bought at the store. It is such a feeling of accomplishment.

    15. Susan says

      November 17, 2012 at 9:57 pm

      I can just imagine how good this pie tastes - I love the flavor of eggnog!

    16. leslie says

      November 18, 2012 at 10:18 pm

      eggnog...ice cream AND pie all in the same title??? Ohhhh my!

    17. Kitchen Belleicious says

      November 19, 2012 at 6:13 pm

      not sure I could make this in my house because I would eat it all before anyone else had a chance! SOOO GOOD

    18. Sonya says

      December 12, 2013 at 3:44 pm

      OMG this looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

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