17 Kentucky Bourbon Fruit Cake Recipe Southern Living Dive Into Deliciousness!

Published on: Mar 22, 2024

The South is known for its rich culinary history, and one of the most beloved treats to come out of the region is Kentucky bourbon fruit cake. This dense and decadent dessert is a holiday staple, with its rich flavors and boozy kick. But what sets a Southern Living recipe apart from the rest? Let's take a closer look at the steps and ingredients that make this Kentucky bourbon fruit cake recipe a true standout.

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Classic Kentucky Mint Julep

Main Ingredients: Bourbon, Mint Leaves, Simple Syrup, Ice Cubes, Crushed

Mint Julep (classic Kentucky Derby cocktail) - The Chunky Chef

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The Classic Kentucky Mint Julep is a timeless cocktail that is synonymous with the state of Kentucky. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this refreshing drink is perfect for sipping on a hot summer day or enjoying while watching the Kentucky Derby. The combination of bourbon, mint, and sugar creates a delicious and smooth drink that is a favorite among many.

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Kentucky Peach Cocktail

Main Ingredients: Peach, Peach Vodka, Lemonade, Simple Syrup, Bourbon

Kentucky Peach Bourbon and Vodka Cocktail in a Glass with Drink Half ...

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Kentucky Lemonade Recipe (bourbon cocktail) - The Chunky Chef

If you’re looking for a fruity twist on a classic Kentucky cocktail, the Kentucky Peach is the perfect choice. This delicious drink combines bourbon, peach schnapps, orange juice, and lemon juice for a sweet and tangy flavor that is sure to please. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and sassy, just like a true Southern belle.

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Kentucky Bourbon Pie

Main Ingredients: Unbaked Pie Crust, Large Eggs, Light Brown Sugar, Light

Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe | CDKitchen.com

The sweet kick of Bourbon with a buttery smooth pecan filling. You'll ...

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this decadent Kentucky Bourbon Pie. This dessert is a twist on the traditional pecan pie, but with the added kick of bourbon for a rich and flavorful treat. The combination of chocolate, pecans, and bourbon creates a heavenly flavor that will have you coming back for seconds.

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Kentucky Bourbon Cake #BundtBakers

Main Ingredients: Cake Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Butter

A light and tender Kentucky bourbon bundt cake that has bourbon both ...

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This Kentucky Bourbon Cake is a must-try for any bourbon lover. Made with bourbon, vanilla, and brown sugar, this cake is moist and full of flavor. It’s the perfect dessert to serve at a dinner party or to enjoy with a cup of coffee in the morning.

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Kentucky Bourbon Cake/Whiskey Cake

Main Ingredients: Raisins, Candied Pineapple, Bourbon, Chopped Pecans

Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake - Cookaholic Wife

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Kentucky Bourbon Cake Recipe – Simply Southern Mom

This Kentucky Bourbon Cake, also known as a Whiskey Cake, is a classic Southern dessert that has been passed down for generations. The combination of bourbon, raisins, and candied cherries creates a rich and moist cake that is perfect for any occasion. It’s a true taste of Kentucky hospitality.

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Southern Bourbon Cake

Main Ingredients: Butter, Sugar, Eggs, Flour, Cinnamon, Baking Powder

Bourbon Cake Recipe with Pecans: A Southern Classic | Restless Chipotle

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This Southern Bourbon Cake is a delicious twist on the traditional pound cake. Made with bourbon, buttermilk, and vanilla, this cake is moist and flavorful. It’s the perfect dessert to serve at a barbecue or picnic with friends and family.

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Kentucky Derby Mint Julep

Main Ingredients: Mint Leaves, Simple Syrup, Bourbon, Crushed Ice, Mint

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Mint Julep Recipe: Kentucky Derby Staple Is a Must for Any Party

No list of Kentucky cocktails would be complete without the famous Kentucky Derby Mint Julep. This cocktail is a staple at the annual horse race and is enjoyed by millions of people every year. Made with bourbon, mint leaves, and simple syrup, this drink is refreshing and delicious. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the Kentucky Derby, even if you can’t make it to the race.

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Kentucky Derby Pie

Main Ingredients: Butter, White Sugar, Brown Sugar, Large Eggs, Light

Easy Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe - Kasey Trenum

The Kentucky Derby Pie is a classic dessert that is often enjoyed with a Mint Julep. This delicious pie is made with a chocolate chip cookie crust, pecans, and bourbon, creating a mouthwatering flavor that is sure to please. It’s a must-try for any bourbon and dessert lover.

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Original Kentucky Whiskey Cake

Main Ingredients: Raisins, Bourbon, All Purpose Flour, Baking Powder

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The Original Kentucky Whiskey Cake is a classic recipe that dates back to the 1800s. Made with whiskey, raisins, and candied fruit, this cake is rich and flavorful. It’s the perfect dessert to serve at a holiday gathering or to give as a gift to a fellow bourbon lover.

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Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake

Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, Large Eggs, Vanilla

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This Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake is a delicious and easy dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Made with apples, bourbon, and cinnamon, this cake is full of warm and cozy flavors that will make your house smell amazing. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

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Woodford Reserve’s Kentucky Butter Cake

Main Ingredients: Butter, White Sugar, Eggs, Bourbon, Lemons, All Purpose

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Woodford Reserve is a well-known brand of bourbon in Kentucky, and they have taken their delicious bourbon flavor and incorporated it into a cake. The Kentucky Butter Cake is made with butter, sugar, and of course, Woodford Reserve bourbon. It’s a simple yet decadent dessert that is sure to be a hit with your friends and family.

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Bourbon Glazed Kentucky Butter Cake

Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar, Large Eggs, Pure

Kentucky Butter Cake - Brown Eyed Baker

Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake (Redux Recipe) | hummingbird high || a ...

This Bourbon Glazed Kentucky Butter Cake is a twist on the classic butter cake, with a delicious bourbon glaze on top. The combination of bourbon, powdered sugar, and vanilla creates a sweet and tangy glaze that pairs perfectly with the rich and buttery cake. It’s a true taste of Kentucky in every bite.

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Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake

Main Ingredients: Cake Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Kosher Salt

This Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake is another classic recipe that has been passed down for generations in Kentucky. Made with bourbon, butter, and sugar, this cake is rich and decadent. It’s the perfect dessert to serve at a dinner party or to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

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Kentucky Bourbon Cake

Main Ingredients: Cake Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Fine Sea Salt

Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake | hummingbird high || a desserts and ...

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This Kentucky Bourbon Cake is a simple yet delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Made with bourbon, sugar, and flour, this cake is moist and full of flavor. It’s the perfect dessert to enjoy with a glass of bourbon on the side.

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Kentucky Bourbon Buttermilk Cake

Main Ingredients: Cake Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Unsalted

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This Kentucky Bourbon Buttermilk Cake is a unique twist on a classic Kentucky dessert. The combination of bourbon and buttermilk creates a tangy and rich flavor that is truly irresistible. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent treat.

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Kentucky Derby Pie Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Main Ingredients: Salted Butter, Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Vanilla

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If you love chocolate chip cookies and Kentucky Derby Pie, then these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a must-try. Made with a cookie crust, chocolate chips, and pecans, these bars have all the flavors of a Derby Pie in a convenient and bite-sized form. They’re the perfect dessert for any occasion.

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Southern BBQ, Georgia Style

Main Ingredients: Bourbon, Sea Salt, Granulated Garlic, Black Pepper

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While Kentucky is known for its bourbon and desserts, the state is also famous for its barbecue. Southern BBQ, Georgia Style, is a popular dish that is made with pork, BBQ sauce, and seasonings. It’s a classic dish that is a must-try for any BBQ lover.

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Peach Cobbler

Main Ingredients: Peaches, Bourbon, Sugar, Corn Starch, Ground Cinnamon

Fresh Peach Cobbler Southern Style - Peach Cobbler for Two

Easy Peach Cobbler Recipe + Enter To Win A Prize Pack! - Thrifty NW Mom

Peach Cobbler Recipe | Leite's Culinaria

Peach Cobbler is a classic Southern dessert that is often served at family gatherings and potluck dinners. Made with fresh peaches, cinnamon, and butter, this cobbler is a true taste of Southern hospitality. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat.

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SOUTHERN BELLE Cocktail * BOURBON * Sweet and Sassy *

Main Ingredients: Bourbon, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grenadine

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The SOUTHERN BELLE Cocktail is a fun and flirty drink that is perfect for any Kentucky-themed party. Made with bourbon, orange juice, and grenadine, this cocktail is both sweet and sassy, just like a true Southern belle. Enjoy it with friends or sip on it while watching the Kentucky Derby.

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Kentucky Cobbler

Main Ingredients: Blueberries, Lemon, Blue Agave Nectar, Bourbon, Brandy

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The Kentucky Cobbler is a refreshing and delicious drink that is perfect for hot summer days. Made with bourbon, peaches, and lemonade, this cocktail is sweet and tangy. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy while relaxing on your porch or at a backyard barbecue.

The Secret Ingredient: Kentucky Bourbon

Kentucky bourbon is the key to giving this fruit cake its signature Southern flavor. This type of whiskey is made in the state of Kentucky and is known for its smooth and oaky taste. While other types of whiskey can be used in a pinch, the true essence of a Kentucky bourbon fruit cake lies in the use of this iconic spirit.

Preparation and Technique

One of the reasons why this Southern Living recipe stands out is because of its detailed instructions and precise techniques. From soaking the dried fruits in bourbon for 24 hours to allowing the cake to cool completely before slicing, every step is carefully laid out to ensure a moist and flavorful result.

The Perfect Blend of Flavors

Aside from the bourbon, this fruit cake also features a variety of ingredients that add depth and complexity to its flavor. From candied orange peel and chopped pecans to warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, every bite is a symphony of delicious flavors that perfectly complement the rich and boozy base.

A Time-Honored Tradition

In the South, food is more than just sustenance – it's a way of life. And this Kentucky bourbon fruit cake recipe is a testament to that. Passed down through generations, this recipe is a cherished tradition in many Southern families. By following this Southern Living recipe, you are not only creating a delicious dessert, but also honoring a long-standing tradition.

So there you have it – the key elements that make this Kentucky bourbon fruit cake recipe from Southern Living a standout among the rest. With its rich flavors, precise techniques, and time-honored tradition, this dessert is sure to become a holiday favorite in your household. Happy baking!