Ingredients
1140ml/2pt whole milk
6 eggs
50g caster sugar
1 vanilla pod, split
20 fresh cherries, destoned and halved
200ml/6fl oz brandy
cocoa powder for dusting

Method
1. Place the milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla pod in a medium pan and heat gently, without boiling, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
2. The egg nog can be chilled at this stage or served hot.
3. To serve, scatter the cherries in the bottom of each serving glass. Divide the brandy between the glasses and pour the egg nog over. Dust with cocoa powder and serve.