Holiday season, with large dinners, rich desserts and drinks, is upon us. Save calories without sacrificing flavor with this lightened-up eggnog!
It's here: holiday season. Halloween candy, Thanksgiving dinner, cookie swaps, Christmas parties ... Eating healthy? See you after New Year's!
But wait! Today's #SundaySupper is all about lightening up holiday food. One of my favorite holiday indulgences is egg nog. It's basically a custard (meaning lots of whole milk, cream, sugar and eggs), flavored with nutmeg and alcohol, usually brandy or rum. One 8-ounce cup can set you back 225 to almost 350 calories!
The lightened-up eggnog still has dairy, and it still has eggs. But I used fat-free half-and-half and fat-free sweetened condensed milk. The condensed milk, along with a small spoonful of flour, helps thicken up the mixture, so we can use fewer (calorie-heavy) egg yolks. Since the condensed milk is sweetened, we don't need additional sugar. In the end, it's about half the calories of full-fat eggnog.
This mixture isn't quite as thick as the full-fat version. But the flavor is definitely there. We also save some extra calories by pouring a 6-ounce cup instead of an 8-ounce cup.
If you want to make this recipe kid-friendly (without the alcohol), you can replace the brandy with ¾ of a teaspoon of brandy or rum extract.
Lightened Up Eggnog
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups fat-free half-and-half
- ¼ cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk, NOT evaporated milk
- ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 ½ tsp
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly-grated nutmeg, plus more for garnish
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Yolk of one large egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon brandy or rum
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the half-and-half, condensed milk, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Once the dairy mixture boils, gradually pour about a third of the mixture over the egg yolk, whisking constantly. Once fully whisked, pour the egg/dairy mixture back into the saucepan and return to the heat. Whisk until the mixture boils again, and cook for a minute. If the mixture bubbles up to the top of the saucepan, briefly pull it off the burner so it doesn't bubble over. You may need to do this a few times.
- After it cooks for a minute, pour the eggnog into a pitcher or tall container. Stir in the brandy or rum and the vanilla. Let cool at room temperature for about half an hour, then place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Pour 6 ounces into a mug or glass, garnish with a little freshly grated nutmeg and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6Amount Per Serving: Calories: 146Carbohydrates: 23gSugar: 18gProtein: 6g
Nutrition data calculated with MyFitnessPal recipe calculator.
Don't forget to check the other #SundaySupper lightened-up holiday recipes!
Drinks
- Lightened Up Eggnog by The Redhead Baker
- Low Calorie Pumpkin Pie Malted Milkshake by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
Appetizer or starter
- Gruyere Cheese Puffs by Sustainable Dad
- Lighten-up Sausage Rolls by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
- Spaghetti Squash, Pears and Kale with Shrimp by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Lightened Up Cornbread Stuffing by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Spicy Eggplant Dip by Cooking Chat
- Carciofi alla Trapanese by Manu's Menu
- Fresh Salmon Carpaccio by Food Lust People Love
Main Dishes
- Mini Mushroom Shepherd’s Pies by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Grandma's Mac n' Cheese by What Smells So Good?
- Lean Mean Cheeseburger Soup by The Foodie Army Wife
- Roasted Butternut Squash & Chicken Sausage Soup by Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos
- Lightened-Up Fettuccine Alfredo by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Side Dishes
- Butternut Squash Orzo Pasta by Life Tastes Good
- Hearts of Palm, Artichoke, Avocado and Butter Lettuce by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Quick and Easy Sweet Potato by The Educators' Spin On It
- Lentil & Mushroom Stuffing by Foxes Love Lemons
- Almond-Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli by The Texan New Yorker
- Tangy, Spiced Red Cabbage by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Cranberry Orange Glazed Green Beans by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Green Beans with Rosemary Garlic Butter by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Mediterranean Lentil Stuffed Delicata Squash by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Leaner Green Beans by Noshing With The Nolands
- Spiced Tri-Colored Carrot Salad by Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Horiatki Salata by Peaceful Cooking
- Healthier Potluck Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad by The Weekend Gourmet
- Farro Stuffing with Cranberries and Walnuts by The Dinner-Mom
- Roasted Parsnip and Apple Soup by Curious Cuisiniere
Desserts
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Sweet Apple Bites by Mama's Blissful Bites
- Individual Cheesecakes by Nosh My Way
- Light and Luscious Chocolate Cheesecake by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Pumpkin Pie Pudding by The Life and Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch
- Healthy Brownie Recipe | Applesauce Brownies by The Perfect Brownie
- Peanut Butter Coconut Mini Bars by Basic N Delicious
- The Blondie Recipe by Wallflour Girl
- Cinnamon Roll Granola Bars by Pies and Plots
- Skinny Ninja Cheesecake by NinjaBaker.com
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pumpkin Blondie by Sue's Nutrition Buzz
Liz says
Everyone needs this recipe!! Thanks for lightening up this classic!
Tara says
That looks so good, I would have one of these over the original for sure!!
Chris Baccus says
I love condensed milk and finding new uses for it. This looks so good and what a great alternative to store bought eggnog.
Amanda says
Ooh, I adore eggnog - will try this next month!
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen says
Awesome! I love eggnog but stay away from it because of how fattening it is!! Thanks for giving it back to me!!
Stacy says
The fat-free condensed milk isn't available where I live but I just happen to have a can in my kitchen cupboard that my sister arrived with when she visited. Yeah, we travel with strange food items. This sounds wonderful, Coleen!
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) says
Pinned for the upcoming holidays...hubby LOVES eggnog, but it's such a calorie bomb. Good to know I can make it a bit less fattening for him!
Christie says
I love eggnog. I never thought of making it at home and low fat. I'm definitely trying this for our holiday party!
Christie
http://akitchenhoor.blogspot.com/
Sarah says
My stepfamily would adore this, they mow through so much eggnog through the season!
susan // the wimpy vegetarian says
Perfect timing for this one! I love eggnog and start to break it out in a couple more weeks. Thanks for this lightened version!!
The Ninja Baker says
Wow! Didn't realize there was a fat-free sweetened condensed milk. Many thanks from a huge egg nog fan =)
Hezzi-D says
My husband loves eggnog and I've been looking for a way to lighten it up for him. I'm definitely trying this recipe!
Shaina says
I love the taste of eggnog but HATE how insanely fattening it is for you. This lighter version is great!
Constance J Smith (@FoodieArmyWife) says
This looks yummy!!! I remember my Poppy making me eggnog when I was a toddler. Good memories there 🙂
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
I was so excited to see your recipe! I adore eggnog, but the calories... yikes!! This looks like a wonderful substitute for much less guilt.
Shelby says
I am so making our own eggnog this year. I absolutely fell in love with brandy when I made tiramisu last year for the holidays. Looks and sounds delicious. I love that you used sweetened condensed milk.
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
Now I'm ready for eggnog season!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Golly I love eggnog. But I don't allow myself to have hardly any. Sniff. BUT this may change things! Thank you!
Katie @ The Perfect Brownie says
Well done! This will be a nice treat for my husband, who loves eggnog!