Welcome to the ultimate holiday dessert experience! This Eggnog Tart recipe is everything you dream of for a festive gathering: a crisp, spiced crust filled with a silky, rich, and creamy eggnog custard. It’s a showstopper that tastes even better than it looks. If you’re looking to elevate your dessert table this season, you’ve found the perfect recipe. This creamy Eggnog Tart is surprisingly simple to make and destined to become a new family tradition.
We’ll walk you through every step, ensuring your tart comes out perfectly every single time. Get ready for rave reviews!
Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Tart Recipe
- Incredibly Creamy: The filling is smooth, rich, and packed with classic eggnog flavor, thanks to a combination of egg yolks, cream, and a hint of nutmeg.
- Perfectly Spiced Crust: We use a simple press-in gingersnap crust that provides a warm, spicy contrast to the creamy filling. No rolling pin required!
- Stunning Presentation: With its elegant look, this tart is a centerpiece-worthy dessert for any holiday party or family dinner.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this tart a day in advance, making holiday hosting so much easier.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly spectacular dessert. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Gingersnap Crust
- Gingersnap Cookies: The star of the crust, providing a spicy, crunchy base.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter binds the cookie crumbs together to form a sturdy crust.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a touch of sugar to enhance the sweetness and help the crust crisp up.
For the Creamy Eggnog Filling
- Full-Fat Eggnog: Use a good quality, store-bought eggnog for the best flavor.
- Heavy Cream: This adds richness and helps the filling set to a perfectly silky consistency.
- Egg Yolks: Essential for creating a thick, custard-like filling.
- Cornstarch: A key ingredient to thicken the filling and ensure a clean slice.
- Granulated Sugar: To sweeten the filling just right.
- Spices: A blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt enhances the classic eggnog taste.
- Bourbon or Rum (Optional): A splash of bourbon or dark rum deepens the flavor, giving it that authentic holiday kick.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a flawless Eggnog Tart. We’ll guide you from the crust to the final chill.
Step 1: Prepare the Gingersnap Crust
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats, crush the gingersnap cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or a sealed bag and a rolling pin. In a medium bowl, mix the crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until well combined, resembling wet sand. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then set it aside to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Eggnog Filling
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and pale. Gradually pour in the eggnog and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble. This should take about 6-8 minutes. Once thickened, remove from the heat and stir in the spices and optional bourbon or rum.
Step 3: Assemble and Chill the Tart
Pour the warm eggnog filling into the cooled gingersnap crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Let the tart cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes before transferring it to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the filling is firm and completely set.
Tips for the Perfect Eggnog Tart
- Use a Removable Bottom Tart Pan: This is crucial for easily removing the tart without damaging the beautiful crust.
- Don’t Scorch the Filling: Stir the filling constantly while it cooks on the stovetop to prevent it from burning at the bottom of the pan.
- Chill Thoroughly: The tart needs adequate time to set. Don’t rush the chilling process, as this ensures clean, beautiful slices.
- Garnish Just Before Serving: Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg right before you serve it for the freshest look and taste. For a different but equally festive dessert, you might also enjoy these Pink Coconut Snowball Cake Bars.
Recipe Variations to Try
While this classic Eggnog Tart is a masterpiece on its own, you can easily customize it. For a different flavor profile, try a Biscoff cookie crust or a classic shortbread crust. You can also infuse the filling with different spices like cardamom or allspice for a unique twist. For those who enjoy exploring different festive treats, these Gingerbread Latte Mousse Domes offer a similar spiced flavor in a completely different format.
Storing Your Eggnog Tart
Store any leftover tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crust may soften slightly over time, but the flavor will remain delicious. I do not recommend freezing this tart, as it can cause the custard filling to separate upon thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This tart is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Add any whipped cream or garnishes just before serving for the best results.
Yes, you can. While the gingersnap crust offers a lovely spice contrast, a traditional shortbread crust, a Biscoff cookie crust, or even a pre-made graham cracker crust would also work well with the eggnog filling.
Yes, you can definitely use your favorite homemade eggnog. Just ensure it is a rich, full-fat version to get the creamiest texture in the final tart.
The filling is done when it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon and you see the first few bubbles break the surface. It should be a consistency similar to pudding. Be sure to stir constantly to prevent it from catching on the bottom of the pan.
No, the bourbon or rum is completely optional. It adds a traditional depth of flavor characteristic of eggnog, but the tart will still be delicious without it. You can simply omit it or substitute it with 1 teaspoon of rum extract.
The Best Eggnog Tart for Your Holiday Table
This Eggnog Tart recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of holiday flavors. It’s the perfect sweet ending to a festive meal and a wonderful project for a cozy winter afternoon. If you loved making this, we know you’ll enjoy creating other show-stopping desserts like our famous No-Bake Marshmallow Cheesecake. We can’t wait to see your beautiful creations! Share your results with us and don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for later!
Eggnog Tart Recipe
Eggnog Tart: The Ultimate Creamy Holiday Dessert
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Crush gingersnap cookies into fine crumbs.
- In a medium bowl, mix the crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until well combined.
- Press this mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Gradually whisk in the eggnog and heavy cream.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles (about 6-8 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in the spices and optional bourbon or rum.
- Pour the warm eggnog filling into the cooled crust.
- Let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator.
- Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until the filling is firm.
Notes
Stir the filling constantly as it cooks to prevent it from scorching on the bottom.
Ensure the tart is thoroughly chilled before slicing for clean, neat servings.
