Caramel Eggnog

Here is a festive Yultide drink, that will certainly wet your whistle!! Cheers!!

• Ready In: 480 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 14

Ingredients

• 1  cup sugar
• 6  tablespoons water, divided
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 6  eggs
• 4  cups 1% low-fat milk
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup  35% cream (whipping)
• 2  tablespoons hazelnut-flavored liqueur (optional) or 2  tablespoons  almond liqueur (optional)
• 1  tablespoon icing sugar
•  grated nutmeg

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, 2 tablespoons water, and lemon juice. Place remaining 4 tablespoons water near stove. Bring sugar mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook for 5 minutes or until mixture is dark amber in color; remove from heat.
2. Gradually and carefully add water to sugar mixture or it may spatter. Stir until sugar mixture is dissolved. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Stir in caramel mixture. Cook over medium-low heat for about 12 minutes or until mixture coats back of spoon. Immediately strain through a cheesecloth into a 6-cup bowl. Stir in vanilla, nutmeg and salt.
3. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Just before serving , beat together whipping cream, liqueur, if desired, and icing sugar until soft peaks form. pour chilled eggnog int 2 quart serving bowl. Fold in whipped cream with whisk.
4. Sprinkle nutmeg on top if desired.
5. TIP: For a hit of holiday spirit, add dark rum to taste. Eggnog can be prepared ahead of time. It can be kept covered, 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
6. Whisk eggnog before serving.