Easy Pumpkin Spice Eggnog

I saw an idea for pumpkin spice eggnog recently, and have been dying to create my own version.  I found several recipes that called for separating a ton of eggs, folding in whites, whipping cream, etc... I decided that I needed something a little more straight forward.  This is it!  It is so simple to put together and has just the right touch of pumpkin flavor to the eggnog.

Easy Pumpkin Spice Eggnog

4 eggs

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (or more to taste)

2 cups milk

3 cups half and half

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ teaspoon rum extract

In a large saucepan, whisk together the eggs, sugar,pumpkin, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg until well blended.  Whisk in the milk and half and half and cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until the mixture reaches 160°F.  Continue to cook and stir for about one more minute, not letting the mixture boil.  Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and rum extracts.  Let cool, then chill completely before serving.  Makes about 2 quarts.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy

Marshmallow Hot Chocolate

A snow storm, shoveling snow, hot chocolate...sound familiar?  Probably, because I wrote a similar story last week.  Well, here we are again, same situation, different day.  This hot chocolate is the current favorite at my house.  It is smooth and foamy, with the perfect amount of chocolate.  It is fast and easy, and will disappear faster than you can make more.  Use different kinds of marshmallows, such as caramel or gingerbread, to flavor your hot chocolate.

Marshmallow Hot Chocolate

8 teaspoons sugar
4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups milk
1 1/2 to 2 cups (about 4 ounces) miniature marshmallows (may use large marshmallows)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a saucepan, whisk together sugar and cocoa powder.  Over medium-high heat, pour in milk and whisk until blended.  Add marshmallows and continue to cook and stir until the marshmallows are melted.  Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.  Serve hot.  Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy

Malted White Hot Chocolate

Since I have some serious hot chocolate lovers at my house, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try this recipe (slightly adapted) out today.  My hungry puppies and I were outside shoveling the driveway.  Well, I was shoveling.  They were anti-shoveling.  Anyway, this was my self imposed punishment for having a piece of pie for lunch.  So why would I make a super rich pot of hot chocolate right afterwards?  Good question.  In my defense, I only had one taste (a mouthful size taste, not an "I just tasted half the batch" taste.  This hot chocolate is quite sweet, and very rich.  Perfect for a cold winter day.

Malted White Hot Chocolate
 

2 cups half-and-half

1 cup whole milk

1 cup skim milk

6 ounces whited chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup malted milk powder

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the milks, half-and-half, white chocolate, vanilla extract, and salt.  Whisk until the white chocolate is completely melted, and the mixture is very hot (not boiling).  Add the malted milk powder, and whisk until completely dissolved.  Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy