Spirited Bourbon Desserts For Any Occasion

The Lane Cake
Photo: Hector Sanchez

While you might find a handful of Southern recipes that call for hint of booze, we are firm believers that it's in the dessert dishes that it really shines— especially bourbon. Whether it's used in rich chocolate desserts, a decadent pie, or creamy ice cream, bourbon packs a punch in the kitchen. While you don't even need a reason to make one of these spirited bourbon dessert recipes, this list is especially suited for the holiday season. Naturally, Thanksgiving isn't complete without a pecan pie, but you'd be remiss not to try one of our spiked versions. And of course, we can't talk about bourbon desserts without mentioning bourbon balls. One bite of our Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls and you'll never make them differently. Plus, they make the yummiest treat for neighbors and hostesses. But these boozy desserts aren't just for the holidays, they're perfect for any celebration, so try one of these recipes next time you're looking for a treat.

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The Lane Cake

The Lane Cake
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: The Lane Cake

In March 1966, Southern Living featured a recipe for Lane Cake in its second issue. Our latest twist? Dried peaches (finely diced and ridiculously delicious) stand in for raisins, and the traditional meringue frosting gets a boozy makeover with a triple shot of peach schnapps.

02 of 28

Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

The new appreciation for whiskey goes beyond drinking as it finds its way into sauces, braises, and especially desserts. Now bourbon and pecan pie fit together like peanut butter and jelly or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

03 of 28

Caramel Apple Blondie Pie

Caramel Apple Blondie Pie
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Caramel Apple Blondie Pie

Buttery rich layers of tender cake and caramelized apples add up to one sweet combo. The secret to the crisp, flaky crust? Baking in a cast-iron skillet on a lower oven rack.

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Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars

Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars

Looking for a party-perfect treat that's a cut above the classic fruit-filled cobbler? Consider it found.

05 of 28

Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls Recipe
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley

Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

We took a favorite Southern dessert and turned it into bite-size truffles. These make-ahead gems are easy enough for casual get-togethers and fancy enough for special occasions.

06 of 28

Apple-Bourbon Pie

Apple Bourbon Pie Recipe
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Apple-Bourbon Pie

This recipe first ran in our November 1995 issue, and it's been a go-to classic ever since. You might only think of whipping this up for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it's an anytime-worthy dessert.

07 of 28

Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes

Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes

Use a classic cocktail combo to flavor a chocolate cake by adding bourbon and cola to the cake batter and topping the mini Bundt cakes with a sweet bourbon and cola glaze. Warning: they're dangerously delicious.

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Bourbon-Orange Biscotti

Bourbon-Orange Biscotti
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Recipe: Bourbon-Orange Biscotti

This old-fashioned inspired cookie brings a sophisticated crunch to your cookie tin. Toast to the holidays with a tray of these and a fresh pot of coffee or tea.

09 of 28

Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

This bread pudding is from New Orleans chef Leah Chase, the queen of Creole cuisine. And yes, it does call for five tablespoons of vanilla extract!

10 of 28

Bourbon-Praline Cheesecake

Bourbon-Praline Cheesecake and Vanilla Custard with Bourbon-Caramel Sauce
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell

Recipe: Bourbon-Praline Cheesecake

Cheesecake is already irresistible, but this decadent version topped with pralines cooked in butter, brown sugar, and bourbon is unbeatable.

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Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: LINDSEY LOWER; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

Recipe: Peach-Bourbon Upside-Down Bundt Cake

The crowning jewel of your dessert table, this bundt cake is all about subtle elegance. With bourbon-soaked fruits and bold flavors, this splurge-worthy dessert calls for your favorite bourbon.

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Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Once you've made a pecan pie in a cast-iron skillet (plus the addition of bourbon), you may never go back to a pie plate. Simply press a refrigerated pie crust into the skillet, sprinkle with sugar, top with the pecan mixture, and bake. Serving it in the skillet is also easy and makes the dish even more Southern.

13 of 28

Bourbon Balls

Bourbon Balls
Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Recipe: Bourbon Balls

Bourbon balls offer up a powerful punch while packaged in a small bite. These sweet, no-bake treats are a favored gift and a perfect nibble for parties.

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Bourbon-Chocolate Cake With Praline Frosting

Bourbon-Chocolate Cake With Praline Frosting
Southern Living

Recipe: Bourbon-Chocolate Cake With Praline Frosting

Chocolate ganache smoothed between layers of rich chocolate cake, topped with praline frosting, and finished with a warm bourbon glaze make this recipe fit for special occasions.

15 of 28

Kentucky Bourbon Pie

Kentucky Bourbon Pie
Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Kentucky Bourbon Pie

Pecan pie just got a serious upgrade. With unexpected flavors of dark chocolate and rich bourbon, not to mention topped with whipped cream, this is a delicacy that can't be beat.

16 of 28

Bourbon Ball Tart

Bourbon Ball Tart
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell

Recipe: Bourbon Ball Tart

Nobody can resist a dessert as luscious as this―especially when it's two desserts in one. The bourbon balls rolled in various coatings give the tart a playful yet elegant feel.

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Bourbon Ice Cream With Bourbon-Caramel Swirl

bourbon ice cream
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Bourbon Ice Cream With Bourbon-Caramel Swirl

Don't be intimidated by this booze-infused ice cream. Rich and creamy, it's perfect on its own or topped on any of your favorite desserts.

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Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream Frosting

Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell

Recipe: Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream Frosting

You can always add another layer to a layer cake, but in this cake we're layering in a secret ingredient. A healthy dose of bourbon takes this chocolate cake to the next level.

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Butterscotch-Bourbon Lava Cakes

Butterscotch-Bourbon Lava Cakes
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell

Recipe: Butterscotch-Bourbon Lava Cakes

Though seemingly an odd couple, bourbon and butterscotch may just be your new favorite dessert pairing.

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Vanilla Custard with Bourbon-Caramel Sauce

Vanilla Custards with Bourbon-Caramel Sauce and Bourbon-Praline Cheesecake
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell

Recipe: Vanilla Custard with Bourbon-Caramel Sauce

With only about 20 minutes of hands on time followed by 4 hours of chilling in the fridge—this custard is the perfect make-ahead dessert that will wow your crowd. Just drizzle on bourbon-caramel sauce before serving.

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Eggnog Spice Cake with Bourbon Custard Filling and Eggnog Buttercream

Eggnog Spice Cake with Bourbon Custard Filling and Eggnog Buttercream
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

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

Eggnog and bourbon in the same sentence? We must be dreaming. This cake will be sure to make a mark on your holiday table.

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Bourbon Ice Cream Float

Bourbon Ice Cream Float
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Karen Rankin; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Bourbon Ice Cream Float

Need we say more? With only three ingredients, this treat will bring every adult back to their childhood.

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Ultimate Dark Chocolate Brownies

Ultimate Dark Chocolate Brownies
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Ultimate Dark Chocolate Brownies

Rich brownie batter is kicked up a notch with bourbon and espresso—great for chocolate, bourbon, and coffee lovers alike. Be warned, they might be your new cookie jar staple.

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White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting

White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

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

Change up the toppings on this impressive cake to fit any occasion.

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Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie

Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Torie Cox Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie

Let's not act surprised that bourbon found its way into a dessert that is practically made for the holidays.

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Peach Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel

Praline Bread Pudding
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Peach Bread Pudding with Bourbon Caramel

You can elevate any recipe with bourbon caramel sauce, but it pairs especially well with this fruity bread pudding for a cozy winter dessert.

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Georgia Peanut Pie with Peanut Butter Crust and Brown Sugar-Bourbon Whipped Cream

Georgia Peanut Pie with Peanut Butter Crust and Brown Sugar-Bourbon Whipped Cream
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Georgia Peanut Pie with Peanut Buttercream and Brown Sugar-Bourbon Whipped Cream

It's hard to find a pairing better suited than peanuts and bourbon. With a cookie crust and gooey filling, this pie is the perfect mix of salty and sweet.

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Triple-Layer Chocolate-Caramel Cake

Triple-Layer Chocolate-Caramel Cake
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Triple-Layer Chocolate-Caramel Cake

Just when you thought a decadent chocolate cake couldn't get any richer, we added bourbon. And we'll let you in on a secret—this frosting is best when made the day before.

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