EGGNOG CUPCAKES RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add extracts. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with eggnog, beating well after each addition. Pour into two greased 9-in. round baking pans. , Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small saucepan, combine flour and salt. Gradually stir in eggnog until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat whisking constantly; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool to room temperature., In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in eggnog mixture and vanilla until smooth. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. If desired, pipe additional frosting for decoration and top with nonpareils. Store in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, combine milk, cloves, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt. After mixture has warmed for 5 minutes, turn up heat between medium and medium-high. Stir regularly to avoid scorching, just until it comes to a boil. Turn off heat.
• In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk briskly until mixture is lightened in color and a bit fluffy, with visible ridges and ripples appearing when you whisk. Very slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the eggs, whisking vigorously all the while. You want to incorporate hot with cold slowly, to not "cook" the eggs to a scrambled consistency. Then pour everything back into the saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly for about 5 minutes, until mixture is thickened and foamy. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves. Let cool for about 1 hour.
• Stir in rum, brandy if desired, half-and-half, and remaining 2 tablespoons of vanilla. Refrigerate overnight to thoroughly chill and let flavors meld. Leave out the alcohol, if you prefer. Nothing else needs to be altered, and it will still taste wonderful!
• Before serving, whip heavy cream until softly firm. Fold whipped cream into eggnog mixture. Pour into individual glasses and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.