76 Boozy Desserts That Add a Splash of Spirit to Your Party

December 06, 2019
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Plenty of Southern recipes use a dash of bourbon, and options on the dessert table are not excluded. In fact, we have dozens of boozy desserts that implement a hint of bourbon, whiskey, brandy, rum, and several types of liqueurs. We even made a margarita cake recipe with a bit of tequila that’s perfect for Cinco de Mayo. From stunning layer cakes to simple bread puddings, these alcoholic desserts are just what your celebration needs. There are plenty of boozy desserts on this list made especially for the holiday season, like our Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake or our Gingerbread with Stout Buttercream for Christmas and our Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie or Pumpkin-Honey-Beer Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce for Thanksgiving. It wouldn’t be a Derby party without bourbon, so serve up our Mint Julep Cupcakes or Kentucky Bourbon Pie for a fun finale. Of course, we have plenty of options for bourbon balls (plus, a rum balls recipe), which make the cutest treats for neighbors and hostesses. Whatever the occasion, why not add a little spirit to your dessert table? These boozy desserts are the ticket to sending your guests home full and happy.  

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White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting

This classic white cake has boozy layers and a fluffy frosting on top for your prettiest Christmas dessert yet.

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Margarita Cake

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Margarita Cake

Taco Tuesday just got so much more delicious. Cheers!

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Pecan Pie Brownies

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pecan Pie Brownies

A splash of bourbon is optional in this dessert mashup recipe, but we think it adds some welcome spirit.

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Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake

Nothing says, “happy holidays” like a boozy eggnog cake.

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Cornbread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Cornbread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel

This super-Southern version of bread pudding uses cornbread as a base.

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Mama’s Rum Cake

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

Recipe: Mama’s Rum Cake

Mildred “Mama Dip” Council, of Mama Dip’s Kitchen in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, shared her legendary rum cake recipe with us.

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Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Torie Cox Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie

A splash of bourbon and a bit of orange zest balance out the sweetest of this Southern Thanksgiving favorite.

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Bourbon Balls

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Bourbon Balls

This Southern favorite makes an adorable gift during the holidays.

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Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Fresh summer peaches are the star of this showstopping dessert.

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Whiskey Pie with Tipsy Berries

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Whiskey Pie with Tipsy Berries

This boozy pie is the prettiest finale for your 4th of July bash.

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Brennan’s Bananas Foster

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Karin Olsen

Recipe: Brennan’s Bananas Foster

Famed New Orleans restaurant Brennan’s created this iconic dessert, and we were lucky enough to get the recipe.

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Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

New Orleans chef Leah Chase puts a Creole spin on bread pudding with this boozy recipe that’ll put a kick in your Christmas.

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Eggnog Spice Cake with Bourbon Custard Filling and Eggnog Buttercream

Credit: Photographer Greg Dupree, Food Styling Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Styling Kay Clarke

Recipe: Eggnog Spice Cake with Bourbon Custard Filling and Eggnog Buttercream

This impressive layer cake is a perfect holiday baking project for an afternoon off work and school.

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Brown Sugar-Rum Cake

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Brown Sugar-Rum Cake

There’s nothing better than a classic sheet cake to serve a crowd.

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Strawberry Cream Pie

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Strawberry Cream Pie

Red currant jelly spiked with orange liqueur is an elegant touch atop fresh strawberries on this fluffy pie.  

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Cassandra’s “Light” Fruitcake

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Cassandra’s “Light” Fruitcake

This fruitcake will ensure every Christmas guest has a good time.

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Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Butter Bourbon Sauce

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding with Butter Bourbon Sauce

As if you needed a reason to love Krispy Kreme more, here you go.

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Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes

We took the classic cocktail pairing and made it into a fun mini dessert that’s perfect for a tailgate or cookout.

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Bourbon Chocolate Truffles

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Bourbon Chocolate Truffles

These no-bake truffles are the ultimate savior for a busy hostess (or your friend who isn’t quite the best baker).

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Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pecan Spice Cake with Caramel-Rum Glaze

Welcome fall with a beautiful spice cake that guests will rave about.

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Apple Cranberry Pie

Recipe: Apple Cranberry Pie

This seasonal pie is just the thing to make with your haul from the apple orchard.

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Bourbon Ice Cream Float

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Bourbon Ice Cream Float

There’s something nostalgic about a classic ice cream float, and a splash of bourbon makes it even more fun for your summer party.

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Lane Cupcakes

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Lane Cupcakes

Serve a cute cupcake full of vintage recipe nostalgia with this recipe.

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Butterscotch Pie with Whiskey Caramel Sauce

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Butterscotch Pie with Whiskey Caramel Sauce

This dreamy caramel sauce can be made up to one month in advance, and it makes a delicious topping for ice cream.

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Strawberry-Lemon Crêpe Cake

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff

Recipe: Strawberry-Lemon Crêpe Cake

This delicate crêpe cake is topped with Macerated Strawberries that are mixed with limoncello.

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Kentucky Bourbon Pie

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Kentucky Bourbon Pie

It wouldn’t be Derby Day without a derby pie! You’ll be everyone’s favorite hostess with this recipe.

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Bourbon-Chocolate Cake With Praline Frosting

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Bourbon-Chocolate Cake With Praline Frosting

Bourbon, chocolate, and praline frosting? There’s so much to love about this decadent recipe.

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Ginger Bourbon Balls

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Ginger Bourbon Balls

Update your bourbon ball recipe for the holidays with a fun ginger twist.

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Utterly Deadly Pecan Pie

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Utterly Deadly Pecan Pie

Making your pecan pie in a cast-iron skillet yields a perfectly crispy crust and soft filling.

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Caramel Apple Cake

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Caramel Apple Cake

This beautiful fall cake is topped with our Apple-Brandy Caramel Sauce that you’ll want to pour over ice cream and pancakes all season long.  

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Peach Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Peach Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel

Fresh preaches add a summery twist to classic bread pudding.

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