Eggnog is one of those seasonal foods that many of us enjoy in small doses. However, it often seems like there is still some left after a round of toasts and even several days of eggnog lattes. This year, I added to the amount that needed to be used up because I found a great deal on some very good eggnog the day after Christmas. Couldn’t pass it up (99 cents for a full gallon?) but I definitely would need to find some additional uses for all of it.
Actually, there are many things that can be done with eggnog. Here are four ideas to get you started, including a recipe for some special bar cookies for this weekend’s New Year’s entertaining.
Skoal!
Simply substitute eggnog for the milk in your usual French toast recipe. (For us, the French toast “recipe” is approximately 3 eggs and 1/4 to 1/2 c milk beaten together, enough for 5 to 6 slices of bread. Cinnamon and/or vanilla may sometimes be added to taste)
Substitute eggnog for about half (or all, if you really like eggnog!) the milk in your favorite bread pudding recipe. You should decrease the sugar (or other sweetener) in your recipe by quite a bit, and you may want to reduce the amount of any spices as well.
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c brown sugar, packed
1/4 c dark (not blackstrap) molasses
2 eggs
3 T eggnog
1 c pureed winter squash (may substitute canned pumpkin_
1 3/4 c flour
1 T ground ginger
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1 t soda
1. Cream butter and sugars. Stir in molasses and eggs and continue to beat until light.
2. Add eggnog and squash and blend well.
3. Sift dry ingredients together and add to squash mixture. Stir just to blend evenly.
4. Pour the batter on to a well-oiled 10 X 15 pan. The batter will be thick, so be sure you spread the batter evenly.
5. Bake at 350 degrees 15 to 20 minutes, until the batter springs back when touched lightly. You can also test by inserting a toothpick near the center; if it comes out without batter sticking to it, it is done.
6. Cool and frost while still in the pan. If desired, add colored sugars or sprinkles immediately after spreading with icing.