Holiday Recipes: Eggnog and Hot Chocolate

Whether you're baking the ham or decorating the tree, these two recipes will bring cheer to your holidays.

Eggnog

Ingredients

• 12 eggs, separated
• 1 pound sugar
• 2-4 cups bourbon
• 1 cup Jamaican rum
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 2 1/2 quarts half-and-half
• 2 cups whipping cream
• grated nutmeg, as needed

Preparation

At least 24 hours before serving use mixer to blend egg yolks, sugar, bourbon, vanilla and rum. Add half-and-half. Refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, beat egg whites until stiff. In a separate bowl, whip the cream until stiff. Fold both gently into the bourbon mixture. Pour into a punch bowl and sprinkle with nutmeg. Yields about a gallon.

Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 2 1/2 cups light cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• cinnamon, whipped cream and orange zest

Preparation

Add sugar and cocoa to milk and heat in a saucepan until dissolved. Add the cream, cinnamon and vanilla. Heat until almost boiling. Mix well and serve, topped with whipped cream and a bit of orange zest.

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