So, it's not peppermint. But it is eggnog. And are you really going to complain about that? Just stop. It's Friday. And while I generally recommend a cocktail on a Friday night, tonight I'm recommending this. It's Eggnog Pudding Trifle and the photos I saw on SprinkleBakes blog blew my mind. I'm not even a super eggnog fan, but I knew this would help get me in the holiday spirit. Because, yes, Christmas is 8 days away! (Are you done with your shopping? I'm thiiis close to being done and it feels so good... I'm usually freaking out right up until the end).
If you're in need of some holiday cheer, make these Eggnog Pudding Trifles ASAP. I did make some changes to the original recipe and actually used light eggnog instead of regular eggnog. I know, I know. Why bother trying to make something "healthier" when it's already loaded with cream and sugar and other deliciousness? Plus, it's totally not like me to "healthify" something. But I think because I'm already not an eggnog fanatic, I figured I'd try. I was initially a bit nervous that the light eggnog wouldn't "pudding up" like regular, but it was just fine (I did add an extra egg yolk to the mix, which probably defeats the purpose of "light" in the first place. Shh).
Eggnog Pudding Trifles (makes about 2 8-oz. trifles):
• 1 - 5.3 oz. box of Walker's Shortbread (I think any kind will do, but Walker's was recommended)
• 1 C prepared eggnog
• ⅛ C sugar
• 1.5 T cornstarch
• ¼ C cold milk
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1 T butter
• ½ C heavy cream
• 2 T sugar
• Fresh nutmeg, for garnish
Reserve 1 shortbread cookie for garnish. Take the rest of them and crumble with your hands in a medium bowl.
Pour eggnog, ⅛ C sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Because why wouldn't you add more sugar to eggnog. WHY?
In a separate small bowl, make a slurry with the cornstarch and cold milk, whisking vigorously, until no lumps remain. Add two egg yolks to mixture and whisk until combined. (Tip: Save the egg whites in a little bowl in the fridge, so you can have an egg white omelet in the morning! You might be craving some protein after your sugar high).
When the eggnog mixture comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and slowly pour in the slurry, while whisking. Then put the saucepan back on the heat until the mixture thickens, but is still pourable, about 2 more minutes.
Remove from the heat and add vanilla and butter. Stir until combined.
In a small bowl, whip cream on medium speed with electric mixer. Gradually pour in the 2 T of sugar 1 T at a time. Whip until thick and fluffy.
Now, build your trifle! Start by putting a layer of crumbs on the bottom of a glass. Then pour a layer of pudding over the crumbs. And repeat. Top with whipped cream, a sprinkling of nutmeg, and a shortbread cookie half.
My eggnog trifle was super large, so I used all my pudding and crumbs to make just one.
Holy Moly. This is an eggnog lover's dream come true. And especially for someone who doesn't love the consistency of eggnog, but loves pudding. Each spoonful was absolutely awesome; holiday spirit in a glass. Sans peppermint (although, now my mind is ticking and I'm thinking peppermint chocolate trifle? Yes, please).
I thought it was a little strange that this was supposed to be served hot, but the recipe never said to chill the pudding. And it was good. Like, really good. But after I had a few bites, I chilled it for a couple hours and then it was even better. Also warning: This is very sweet. But in a good way.
I'm kind of picturing a whole family sitting around the fireplace on Christmas Eve with one of these in hand. You know, like you might hot chocolate. But eggnog trifle, instead.
Better yet, leave one of these out for Santa and I have a feeling you'll get extra gifts. It's like combining his cookie and the drink into one (just make sure you leave carrots for the reindeer... Carrot trifle??).
Also, you should probably make extra eggnog pudding just to eat whenever, too. I didn't, but luckily I still have half a carton of eggnog in the fridge.
Happy almost Christmas week! 🙂
Are you a fan of eggnog or do you avoid it during holiday season?
[Sues]
Oh man, I LOVE it. I made homemade nog for the first time and took it to Thanksgiving dinner last month. Though something disturbing happened: My in-laws actually drink it HOT, and they think I'm weird for drinking it cold. Other than an egg nog latte, I've never heard of egg nog drunk warm, and so I polled Twitter and 30 people confirmed that it's taken cold. Yet, that wasn't enough to persuade my cynical father-in-law that I was right (though I am...always, ha).
I love, love, love egg nog but actually don't drink it too often! This trifle looks absolutely stunning and good choice with the Walker's Shortbread - I think they are the very best!
what a great individual dessert to serve, i love the whipped cream dripping down the sides
Aw, damn, you posted this a day late! I just bought all the ingredients to make a caramel apple trifle yesterday to take to my work party!
I love eggnog and pudding. Combining the two? Genius!
So pretty! I love anything in trifle form, but eggnog? Perfect!
I love eggnog, but I try to only have it once or twice during Christmas! This recipe looks DELISH!
Sundaes & Cones, an ice cream shop in the East Village makes an amazing eggnog ice cream and they only serve it during the Holiday Season - I start bugging them about it in November 😉
wow, i want this right now 🙂 looks amazing, and i am a fan of eggnog... yum yum.
true story: i worked in starbucks when the egg nog latter first hit the scene. It was a huge deal. Everyone was ordering the damn thing and my love for eggnog died.
But as i sit here looking at this masterpiece i can say confidently that I would totally be up for reviving my love of all things eggnog
I like anything with cookie crumbs and whipped cream. I always want to like egg nog more than I do, but the more extraneous sugar, the better. So yeah, I'd like these.
Sues, this looks delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe! I am a HUGE eggnog fan 🙂
My goodness does this look amazing. I think I actually gasped when I saw the final product.
I saw this on Sprinkle Bakes and was intrigued... your version looks just as good! I like the flavor of eggnog, so I'm all about breakfasts, baked goods and desserts that include the seasonal beverage :).
I'm not really an eggnog fan but this really does look fantastic. I think you should make the chocolate peppermint trifle. DO it! 😉
That looks like the most amazing parfait ever. I love eggnog. I'm almost glad its only around at Christmas 🙂 🙂 Gorgeous
this looks unbelievable!
I love trifles, this looks so pretty! Can you believe I've never actually had eggnog? I'm such a weirdo.
Be still my heart...I have not made anything with eggnog yet and this recipe just became THE ONE! I am swooning just reading the ingredient list! My son and I are the big eggnog fans around here, and I cannot wait to spring this on him!!!
Oh my lord does that look kind of like a miracle. I actually love eggnog in baked goods and not on it's own. I am very weird. But this looks very delicious. I want it.
love these seasonal recipes!
I too adore egg nog. This is now on my to make list!
I'm a fan of eggnog but I don't have it nearly as often as I would like!
This is great! I often use low-fat or skim milk even to make pastry cream and other custards, and trust me, it always thickens fine, so I think using a light eggnog is not a bad idea at all. Also, another fun idea for leftover egg whites is to freeze them, and add more whites as you have them (making ice cream with yolks yields lots of extra whites), and then eventually you can thaw all your whites and make an angel food cake 🙂 When I make ice cream I always freeze my whites for making that later, no waste!
I love making trifles because they're so easy and perfect for serving to company! I'm actually not a huge eggnog fan either, but I think maybe I should try it again because it's been years since I've given it a chance!
debating on whether or not i skip the christmas eve party (that i happen to be hosting) to go crash wherever WANM are bringing their goodies for the holidays!!
Those could not be any more adorable!! We were never allowed egg nog growing up so I didn't try it until a few years ago. I really love it! I tried it spiked for the first time yesterday - totally hooked :).
I was a bit indifferent to eggnog until we went shopping at Whole Foods a week ago and they had organic nog chilling in ice for sampling. Rich with the perfect hint of nutmeg. SO GOOD! These trifles look fantastic!
EGGNOG! <3 <3 <3
love these seasonal recipes!
I'm a fan of eggnog but I don't have it nearly as often as I would like!
I've found that the light is sweeter than the full fat version. I would argue to use the full-fat version for more flavor and less sweet. Trying to figure out how many times to multiply the batch of pudding to make a larger one. 3 times? 4 times? Thanks for a great idea and recipe. I'm sure the shortbread is great but I think I'll try some ladyfingers instead and just layer them rather than crumble them and do a full trifle bowl for a group. Awesome!