Ok, this is the easiest Christmas dessert EVER! I thought Gingerbread Cheesecake Balls were quick but this one takes the cake. I don’t think I can ever top this Boozy Eggnog Panna Cotta for sheer speediness to deliciousness ratio. It’s just what you need when Christmas gets busy and you want to serve up a luxurious dessert full of Christmas flavour.
Love eggnog? Try this eggnog creme brulee or make it from scratch with this spiked homemade eggnog recipe.
You need 3 ingredients for this eggnog panna cotta. You heard me, a measly 3 ingredients. 1,2,3.
- Eggnog
- Powdered gelatine
- Booze (I love to use Drambuie or Frangelico)
What I love most is, for it’s simplicity, it is brimming with sophistication. It’s pretty, feels totally luxurious and with that eggnog spice and hint of liqueur, it’s comforting all at the same time. Your guests will be so impressed and think you spent hours putting this together but I won’t tell if you won’t 🙂
Just keep in mind, this one is adults only. While there isn’t much, there is alcohol in these and the mixture just doesn’t cook long enough or hot enough for that alcohol to get cooked out. For the little ones, you could leave the alcohol out and they’ll love this creamy Christmas dessert.
Use the best eggnog!
This simple dessert starts with a store-bought carton of eggnog, but make sure it’s good quality. As there are only 3 ingredients in this recipe, it’s only going to taste as good as the ingredients you use. I’ve made this every year for the last 3 and the last batch I made was with a less creamy eggnog. For this reason, I suggest using full fat and the creamiest eggnog you can find.
I haven’t tried this with homemade so I can’t tell you what the result would be.
How to make panna cotta
- You take 4 cups of said eggnog and pour it into a saucepan then you add your liqueur of choice. My favourite to use is Drambuie which I can definitely vouch for but Frangelico, rum, brandy or pedro ximenez would be some other good substitutions. The tipple list is endless. Now give it a stir.
- Next, sprinkle over your gelatine and let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom. Once bloomed the top of the mixture will now look quite wrinkly. Now, turn the heat on low and stir for roughly, ummmm, 2 minutes until the gelatine has all dissolved (it doesn’t need to boil, or even simmer for that matter).
- Pour it into pretty glasses (I used my hubbys grandparents crystal which made them look really special) and let it set in the fridge for 4 hours, until serving time.
Once set, top your Eggnog Panna Cotta with Christmas cookies – that I know you have oodles of around the place – or anything else you like. I top mine with my Homemade Spiced Shortbread Cookies, whipped or double cream and nutmeg. Other great options are crumbled gingerbread cookies or brandy snaps.
A few tips
- Can you make panna cotta in advance? Yes, panna cotta can be made 1 to 2 days ahead for best results – another reason it’s a wonderful dessert.
- How to store it: Store panna cotta in the fridge, covered for up to 3 days. I find it best to sit the glasses in a baking tray or dish, then cover the whole thing with plastic wrap. This makes it easy to move the glasses around.
- Alcohol free version: Simply omit the alcohol to make an alcohol free eggnog panna cotta for the little ones.
Christmas dessert done!
Now that you have your easy Christmas dessert made, you can spend more time with your friends and family, celebrating.
More desserts you’ll love
- Eggnog Crème Brulee
- Spiked Homemade Eggnog
- Chai Panna Cotta with Pistachio Toffee
- Coffee Panna Cotta with Coffee Syrup
- Christmas Gingerbread Trifle
- How to make Perfect Pavlova
Ingredients
- 4 cups store-bought full fat eggnog
- ¼ cup liqueur (like Drambuie or Frangelico)
- 3 ½ teaspoons powdered gelatine
- Topping of your choice (I used shortbread cookies, double cream and nutmeg)
For best results, always weigh ingredients where a weight is provided
Instructions
- Pour the eggnog into a saucepan, then add the liqueur and stir well. Sprinkle the gelatine evenly over the top and leave it for 5 minutes to bloom.
- Heat over low heat, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until the gelatine dissolves. Don't let it simmer or boil.
- Pour the mixture into elegant glasses and allow to set in the fridge for 4 hours.
- Top with your toppings and serve
Notes
- This recipe only tastes as good as the quality of the eggnog you use. Use a creamy and full fat, good quality eggnog.
- There is an endless list of liqueurs you could use for this panna cotta. Rum, brandy, pedro ximenez are all great substitutes.
- There are no special tools required for this recipe, just some elegant glasses and a saucepan.
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10 Comments on “Boozy Eggnog Panna Cotta Recipe”
Is this with 3 or 4 cups? It says both in the recipe?
Sorry for that error, Henk. The recipe section is correct with 4 cups. I’ve updated the post wording to match.
This turned out so delicious !! A new holiday favorite now!!!
I’m so happy to hear this, Erminda. Truly appreciate you trying my recipe.
Hi Marie – gonna try this recipe of yours.
I’ve purchased light eggnog, will this work on this recipe?
Hi Belinda, light milk does not work too well as it tends to separate into layers so it’s possible light eggnog will do the same thing. However, I haven’t tried it with light eggnog and even if it does separate it will still taste fine and creamy safe to eat. Let me know how you go ?
Hello Marie – so pleased to tell you that your panna cotta recipe turned out perfect. I used 2-1/2 c of light eggnog & the other 1/2 cup of whipping cream. It didn’t separate. Thank you for this recipe.
Seasons greetings.
That’s excellent news Belinda, good to know too 🙂
These look absolutely amazing! The photos are gorgeous too, they give me the white-Christmas feel!
Thank you so much Trang. Merry Christmas 🙂