Spirited Bourbon Desserts

By Southern Living
Southern Living

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.

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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 spirited makeover with a triple shot of peach schnapps.

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Kelly Fields' Blackberry-and-Bourbon Cobbler

Robbie Caponetto

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.

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Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Hector M Sanchez

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. 

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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.

Cooking Video: Caramel Apple Blondie Pie

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Whiskey Pie with Tipsy Berries

Photo: Hector Sanchez

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.

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Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars

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

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Bourbon-Cream Cheese Brownies

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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!

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Bourbon-Pecan Pound Cake Truffles

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Bourbon-Pecan Pound Cake Truffles

We take a favorite Southern dessert and turn it into bite-size Bourbon-Pecan Pound Cake Truffles.

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Brown Sugar-Bourbon Bundt

Photo: Iain Bagwell

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.

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Caramel Apple Ice-Cream Tarts

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple Ice Cream-Tarts

This shortbread crust is the perfect foil for ice cream.

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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.

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Double Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bourbon Ganache

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Derby Truffles

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Derby Truffles

These make-ahead gems are easy enough for casual get-togethers and fancy enough for special occasions.

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Creole Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

Photo: 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 5 tablespoons of vanilla extract!

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Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Cherry-Bourbon Ice Cream

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Tipsy Spiced Fruit Tart with Buttermilk Whipped Cream

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Bourbon Balls

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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

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Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Torte

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

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.

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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 a warm Bourbon Glaze make this recipe fit for special occasions. Serve alongside a warm cup of coffee or tea.

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