When it comes to eggnog, I have a feeling you either love it...or pass on it. I love it, but whoa on the calories! According to The Calorie Count (very handy site this time of year) the average cup of eggnog has around 343 calories, with 56% of those coming from the saturated fat. Oh course there are lighter versions like the one from Cooking Light with about 152 calories in a serving with 2.6 grams of sat fat. It is a lovely guilty pleasure, but I’ll bet you didn’t know our Founding Fathers were such party animals when it came to their nog.. In Kelly’s Kitchen, celebrating responsibly is always first on our list of things to do, but I think one cup of this recipe, attributed to George Washington would have anyone asking if the guest room was free at your hostess’s home!

But if you’re looking for something different to do with your nog, here’s an idea for something to bring along to the Christmas party and it works dual duty. It’s an Eggnog Pound Cake recipe from Southern Living that can also be used as an Eggnog Cupcake, which is what I was looking for. And the beauty of this recipe? It’s a quickie that uses an eggnog pound cake mix (Betty Crocker has one that I found at *Target). It takes only four ingredients for the pound cake, and if you want to use it for the cupcakes, they also have a recipe for a cream cheese frosting. And of course if you’re short on time there...hello canned frosting. I won’t tell. Promise.

Since I do tend to work in advance, I give you all this vital information in advance of National Eggnog Day, which is December 24^th, the day we allegedly drink the most of it. By the way, is the correct spelling eggnog or egg nog? Either one is fine.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

There is a remarkable breakdown of taste and intelligence at Christmastime. Mature, responsible grown men wear neckties made of holly leaves and drink alcoholic beverages with raw egg yolks and cottage cheese in them. ~P.J. O'Rourke

*Ann Kelly is a paid endorser for Target