Whether it's used in rich chocolate desserts or decadent pies, bourbon packs a punch in the kitchen. Try our spirited roundup of bourbon dessert recipes.
The Lane Cake
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 spirited makeover with a triple shot of peach schnapps.
Kelly Fields' Blackberry-and-Bourbon Cobbler
Recipe: Blackberry-and-Bourbon Cobbler
Every weekend, especially during summer, the Fields family would make their version of cobbler, a cake-y mix of milk, sugar, and self-rising flour poured over fruit. Kelly says sometimes her mom would get "feisty" and add in amaretto. Here, Kelly plays to her own preferences with a bit of bourbon.
Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie
Recipe: Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie
The new appreciation for whiskey goes beyond drinking and finds its way into sauces, braises, and especially desserts. Now bourbon and pecan pie fit togther like peanut butter and jelly or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Caramel Apple Blondie Pie
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.
Cooking Video: Caramel Apple Blondie Pie
Whiskey Pie with Tipsy Berries
Recipe: Whiskey Pie with Tipsy Berries
Offer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and, to save time, you can simply top with a mix of your favorite fresh summer fruit.
Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars
Recipe: Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars
Looking for a party-perfect treat that's a cut above the classic fruit-filled cobbler? Consider it found.
Bourbon-Cream Cheese Brownies
Recipe: Bourbon-Cream Cheese Brownies
Rich brownie and cream cheese batter is kicked up a notch with bourbon—great for both chocolate and bourbon lovers!
Bourbon-Pecan Pound Cake Truffles
Recipe: Bourbon-Pecan Pound Cake Truffles
We take a favorite Southern dessert and turn it into bite-size Bourbon-Pecan Pound Cake Truffles.
Brown Sugar-Bourbon Bundt
Recipe: Brown Sugar-Bourbon Bundt
The crowning jewel of your dessert table, this bundt cake is all about subtle elegance. For this unique shape, we used Nordic Ware's Bavaria bundt pan.
Caramel Apple Ice-Cream Tarts
Recipe: Caramel Apple Ice Cream-Tarts
This shortbread crust is the perfect foil for ice cream.
Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes
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.
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bourbon Ganache
Recipe: Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bourbon Ganache
These chocolate chip cookies are decadent enough, but sandwich them between a Bourbon Ganache and this treat has been elevated to new heights.
Derby Truffles
Recipe: Derby Truffles
These make-ahead gems are easy enough for casual get-togethers and fancy enough for special occasions.
Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
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 5 tablespoons of vanilla extract!
Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie
Recipe: Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie
Once you’ve made a pecan pie in a cast-iron skillet, 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.
Cherry-Bourbon Ice Cream
Recipe: Cherry-Bourbon Ice Cream
Customize your own ice-cream flavor. Simply buy a 1-qt. container of vanilla ice cream, allow it to soften, add the ingredients, and let it refreeze. It will taste so good no one will know you took a shortcut.
Tipsy Spiced Fruit Tart with Buttermilk Whipped Cream
Recipe: Tipsy Spiced Fruit Tart with Buttermilk Whipped Cream
The bourbon-soaked fruits and bold flavors in this rustic pie make it an adults-only dessert. Splurge for a premium brandy or bourbon—it’s worth it.
Bourbon Balls
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.
Cooking Video: Bourbon Balls
Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Torte
Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Torte
Nobody can resist a dessert as luscious as this―even if it is lightened. Just sprinkle this guilt-free dessert with powdered sugar and cocoa for an easy, elegant look.
Bourbon-Chocolate Cake With Praline Frosting
Recipe: Bourbon-Chocolate Cake With Praline Frosting
Chocolate Ganache smoothed between layers of rich chocolate cake topped with Praline Frosting and a warm Bourbon Glaze make this recipe fit for special occasions. Serve alongside a warm cup of coffee or tea.
