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Creamy homemade eggnog in glasses and a corked bottle on a rustic wooden table with fresh eggs

Dairy-Free Cashew Eggnog

A silky, dairy-free eggnog with a neutral flavor profile closest to traditional dairy eggnog. Made with homemade cashew milk and cashew cream. Requires more preparation but yields a beautifully creamy result without any coconut flavor.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Course beverage
Servings 8
Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan to hold at least 8 - 10 quarts
  • 1 Large mixing bowl
  • 1 Whisk or hand mixer to beat the eggs
  • 1 Instant-read thermometer or other cooking thermometer
  • 1 Fine-mesh sieve
  • 1 Grater for the nutmeg

Ingredients
  

  • 10 egg yolks pastured
  • 5 cups cashew milk see notes
  • 2 cups cashew cream see notes
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • 1 pinch cloves
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean, split
  • 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions
 

  • Whisk the egg yolks, maple syrup, and honey together in a large bowl until smooth and slightly lightened in color.
  • Combine the cashew milk, cashew cream, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and salt in a heavy-bottomed pot. If using a vanilla bean, add it here. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is steaming and reaches about 160°F. Do not allow it to boil.
  • Temper the egg yolks by slowly ladling about 1 cup of the warm cashew mixture into the yolk bowl, whisking constantly. Add another cup, whisking continuously. This gradual process prevents the eggs from scrambling.
  • Pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the pot with the remaining cashew milk. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, until the mixture reaches 170°F and coats the back of a spoon. This takes about 5–8 minutes. Do not let it boil.
  • Remove from heat and pour immediately through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean container. Stir in the vanilla extract if using.
  • Allow to cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 4 hours. Overnight is ideal—the flavors meld beautifully.

Notes

Keeps refrigerated for up to 5 days.
For cashew cream and milk: Soak raw cashews for at least 4 hours or overnight. Blend with water until completely smooth—use less water for cream, more for milk. Get the recipe for homemade cashew milk and cream here
The cashew version has the most neutral flavor of the dairy-free options, closest to traditional eggnog.

Nutrition (per 8-oz serving, plain)

  • Calories: 380
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 185mg
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Sugar: 19g
  • Protein: 9g
 
From the kitchen at A Pleasing Life.
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