15+ Holiday Bourbon Fruit Cake Recipe Unleash Your Inner Chef!
Published on: Mar 6, 2024
Bourbon and fruit cake may not seem like an obvious combination, but trust us when we say it's a match made in holiday heaven. This holiday bourbon fruit cake recipe is the perfect addition to your festive spread, and it's surprisingly easy to make. The rich flavors of the bourbon and the sweetness of the fruits come together to create a deliciously indulgent treat that will have your guests begging for the recipe. So, grab your apron and get ready to impress with this delicious holiday dessert.
Main Ingredients: Bread, Raisins, Butter, Milk, Eggs, Sugar, Cinnamon
If you're looking for a classic and comforting dish to pair with your beer can chicken, look no further than a basic bread pudding. This rich and custardy dessert is the perfect way to end a hearty meal. Made with stale bread, eggs, milk, and sugar, this simple yet delicious dessert is a staple in many households. To give it a little twist, try adding bourbon-soaked raisins or chocolate chips to the mix.
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Forbidden Sour
Main Ingredients: Pama Pomegranate Liqueur, Bourbon, Fresh Lemon Juice
This refreshing cocktail is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. Made with bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of red wine, this drink is both sweet and tangy. Garnish with a cherry and a lemon wedge to add a pop of color and flavor. The name may be forbidden, but this drink is definitely a must-try with your beer can chicken.
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The Gold Rush
Main Ingredients: Honey, Boiling Water, Bourbon, Lemons
If you're a fan of honey and bourbon, then this cocktail is for you. Made with bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup, this drink is simple yet delicious. For an extra kick of flavor, add a couple dashes of bitters to the mix. Sip on this drink while enjoying your beer can chicken for a taste of pure gold.
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No Man's Land
Main Ingredients: Bourbon, Grenadine, Fresh Lemon Juice, Orange Bitters
This bold and smoky cocktail is not for the faint of heart. Made with bourbon, mezcal, and a touch of citrus, this drink packs a punch. The name may suggest a treacherous journey, but the only journey you'll be taking is to flavor town. Garnish with a slice of orange to add a hint of sweetness to this strong and savory drink.
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Bread Pudding
Main Ingredients: French Bread, Milk, Eggs, Sugar, Vanilla Extract
For a twist on the traditional bread pudding, try making it with croissants instead of bread. The flaky and buttery layers of croissants add a whole new level of texture to this classic dessert. Top with a bourbon caramel sauce for a decadent and boozy treat to pair with your beer can chicken.
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Cranberry Pumpkin Holiday Cake
Main Ingredients: Crisco, Flour, Finely Chopped Pecans, Golden Raisins
Who says pumpkin is only for fall? This delicious and festive cake is perfect for any holiday gathering. Made with pumpkin puree, dried cranberries, and a hint of bourbon, this cake is sure to be a hit. Top with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting for a creamy and tangy finish to this flavorful dessert.
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Fennel, Rosemary, Apple & Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin
Main Ingredients: Honey Crisp Apples, Carrots, New Potatoes, Olive Oil
If you're in the mood for a savory and herbaceous dish to pair with your beer can chicken, look no further than this pork tenderloin. The combination of fennel, rosemary, and apples creates a delicious and aromatic flavor profile that will complement your chicken perfectly. Drizzle with a honey bourbon glaze for a touch of sweetness.
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Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken
Main Ingredients: Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Cornstarch, Sliced
This easy and flavorful chicken dish is perfect for a busy weeknight. Simply throw all the ingredients in a crock pot and let it do the work for you. The bourbon adds a depth of flavor to the dish, making it a standout dish to pair with your beer can chicken. Top with some chopped scallions for a fresh and zesty finish.
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The Bourbon Sweetheart
Main Ingredients: Bourbon, Strawberries, Simple Syrup, Ginger Liqueur
This fruity and refreshing cocktail is perfect for a romantic evening. Made with bourbon, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and a splash of grenadine, this drink is both sweet and tangy. Garnish with a heart-shaped pineapple slice for an extra touch of romance. Sip on this drink while enjoying your beer can chicken for a perfect date night meal.
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Peach Cobbler
Main Ingredients: Peaches, Bourbon, Sugar, Corn Starch, Ground Cinnamon
What could be better than a warm and gooey peach cobbler? Made with fresh peaches, brown sugar, and a splash of bourbon, this dessert is the ultimate comfort food. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent and delicious treat to enjoy with your beer can chicken.
For a festive and boozy drink to pair with your beer can chicken, try making a holiday punch. Made with cranberry juice, orange juice, ginger ale, and a splash of bourbon, this punch is perfect for any holiday gathering. Top with some frozen cranberries and orange slices for a beautiful and tasty garnish.
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Liquid Marijuana
Main Ingredients: Jim Beam, Tequila, Blue Curacao, Apple, Sweet And Sour
This colorful and tropical cocktail may have an interesting name, but trust us, it's delicious. Made with a mix of rums, melon liqueur, and pineapple juice, this drink is a fruity and boozy delight. Top with a splash of blue curacao for a vibrant and eye-catching drink to enjoy with your beer can chicken.
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Eudora Welty's White Fruit Cake
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Sugar, Large Eggs, Flour, Nuts, Baking
This traditional Southern fruit cake has been a favorite for generations. Made with candied fruits, nuts, and a hint of bourbon, this cake is a must-try for any fruit cake lover. Soak the fruits in bourbon for a few hours before baking for an extra kick of flavor.
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The Very Best Barbecue Baked Beans
Main Ingredients: Bacon, Vidalia Onion, Garlic, Bourbon, Brewed Coffee
No barbecue is complete without a side of baked beans. But these are not your average baked beans. Made with a delicious homemade barbecue sauce, bacon, and a touch of bourbon, these beans are sure to be a hit. For an extra layer of flavor, add some diced jalapenos to the mix.
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Bourbon Chicken
Main Ingredients: Bourbon, Soy Sauce, Water, Garlic, Brown Sugar, Fresh
If you're a fan of sweet and savory dishes, then this bourbon chicken is a must-try. Made with a delicious bourbon glaze, this chicken is packed with flavor. Serve over a bed of rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Kentucky Peach Cocktail
Main Ingredients: Peach, Peach Vodka, Lemonade, Simple Syrup, Bourbon
This refreshing and fruity cocktail is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. Made with bourbon, peach schnapps, and lemonade, this drink is sweet and tangy. Garnish with a fresh peach slice for a delicious and beautiful touch.
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Chocolate Crêpe Cake with Bourbon
Main Ingredients: Flour, Cocoa Powder, Cold Milk, Cold Water, Eggs
If you're a fan of chocolate and bourbon, then this dessert is for you. Layers of chocolate crêpes and bourbon-spiked whipped cream make for a decadent and indulgent treat. Top with some shaved chocolate for a beautiful and delicious garnish.
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Grilled Bourbon Peach Browned Butter Cake
Main Ingredients: Fruits, Peaches, Firmly Packed Brown Sugar, Fresh
This grilled dessert will have your taste buds dancing. The combination of bourbon and peaches is a match made in heaven. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cool and creamy contrast to the warm and sweet cake.
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Apple Whiskey Sidecar
Main Ingredients: Apple Juice, Bourbon, Fresh Lemon Juice, Grand Marnier
This twist on the classic sidecar cocktail is perfect for fall. Made with apple brandy, whiskey, and lemon juice, this drink is both sweet and tart. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for a cozy and festive touch.
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Drunken Jerk Prawns
Main Ingredients: Prawns, Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
If you're looking to spice up your beer can chicken, try making these drunken jerk prawns as a side dish. Made with a flavorful marinade of jerk seasoning, rum, and lime juice, these prawns are sure to add a kick to your meal. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a burst of citrus flavor.
Why Bourbon and Fruit Cake are a Match Made in Holiday Heaven
The Bold Flavors of Bourbon
One of the main reasons bourbon and fruit cake work so well together is because of the bold, complex flavors of bourbon. Made from corn, rye, malted barley, and water, bourbon has a distinct smoky and sweet taste that adds depth to any dish. In this holiday fruit cake recipe, the bourbon not only adds a unique flavor but also helps to keep the cake moist and tender.
The Sweetness of Dried Fruits
The other key ingredient in this recipe is the dried fruits. We recommend using a mix of dried cranberries, apricots, and raisins, but you can use any combination of fruits you like. These fruits not only add a natural sweetness to the cake but also provide a burst of flavor in every bite. Plus, they are packed with nutrients, making this holiday dessert a slightly healthier option (we won't mention the bourbon).
The Perfect Balance of Flavors
When you combine the bold flavors of bourbon with the sweetness of dried fruits, you get the perfect balance of flavors in this holiday bourbon fruit cake. The bourbon brings out the natural sweetness of the fruits, while the fruits help to mellow out the strong flavors of the bourbon. It's a harmonious combination that will leave your taste buds dancing.
How to Make Holiday Bourbon Fruit Cake
Now that you know why bourbon and fruit cake are a match made in holiday heaven, let's get to the recipe itself. This holiday bourbon fruit cake is surprisingly easy to make, and the results are impressive. Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
1 cup bourbon
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup raisins
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground allspice
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions:
In a small saucepan, bring the bourbon to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the dried fruits. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
Stir in the fruit and bourbon mixture, along with the chopped pecans (if using).
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan to cool completely on a wire rack.
Serve with a drizzle of bourbon glaze or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Impress Your Guests with this Delicious Holiday Dessert
This holiday bourbon fruit cake is the perfect addition to any festive spread. The combination of bold bourbon and sweet dried fruits creates a rich and indulgent treat that will have your guests raving. And with its simple recipe and impressive results, you'll be able to enjoy more time with your loved ones this holiday season. So, put on your favorite holiday tunes and get baking this delicious holiday dessert.
