Dessert is always my favorite part of dinner, but I feel like it sometimes sobers me up. After feeling that cocktail buzz from dinner disappear over chocolate cake, I decided to make a change — I started spiking my favorite desserts with booze for a killer combination of sugar and alc.
Not only does booze add some edge, but spiking your desserts is actually great way to turn up the moisture and sophisticated flavor of your favorite recipes. No matter what your alcohol preference, there is a way to turn that burning kick into an indulgent treat.
However, it’s easy to go a little overboard, so here are a few things to keep in mind when baking with booze:
1. Start with less than you’d think. Remember that you can always add more, but once that kick goes too far, there’s no turning back.
2. Keep in mind that it’s harder to get a buzz on baked goods. Spiked milkshakes pack a good punch, while the alcohol is likely to burn out of those cakes and cupcakes.
3. Stick to classic pairings known to enhance flavors: whiskey goes best with chocolate, and tequila is always good with lime.
4. If you can stand it, use the nicer bottles for baking and save the cheap ones for your Friday night pregame.
5. Go a bit lighter on the alcohol when the desserts are light and fruity if you still want to taste the base dessert.
So read on, choose your drink of choice — here’s how to spike your favorite desserts with booze.
Beer
Buttermilk and Beer Beignets
Add a little kick to this French favorite with some wheat beer.
Beeramisu
Though tiramisu is always boozy, add some beer to this rum filled treat for an additional twist.
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Beer Bread
The name’s a mouthful, but this recipe is super easy and only requires a few ingredients you probably have lying around — along with the leftover cheap beer in your fridge.
Chocolate Stout Cupcakes
This one’s easy. Just make a chocolate cake box mix and dump some beer in there. Done. In case you still need it, here’s the recipe.
Whiskey
Banana Bourbon Cupcakes
These cupcakes are stacked: banana and chocolate chip base, bourbon buttercream frosting, and a chocolate bourbon ganache topping. YUM.
Chocolate Stout Cake with Chocolate Bourbon Frosting
Give your chocolate cake a double kick of alc with both bourbon and stout.
Salted Caramel Bourbon Milkshakes
Indulgent and delicious — the alcohol doesn’t burn off with this grown up milkshake.
Bourbon Chocolate Chip Blondies
Another easy loaf dessert recipe, but with bourbon instead of beer in case whiskey’s more your style.
Tequila
Fried Tequila Donut Holes
When a lime won’t cut it, treat yourself for getting down your tequila shot with one of these delicious little donuts. Dream come true.
Margarita Macarons
These macarons are filled with tequila lime buttercream, and they’re perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
Tequila Lime Coconut Bars
This tequila, lime and coconut bar is just a slight upgrade to dumping tequila on top of grocery lemon bars.
Rum
Boozy Chocolate Rum Cake
This little spiked chocolate cake is perfect when you’re looking for a yummy treat on a cold night.
Boozy Brownies with Salted Caramel Rum Sauce
The moister the better with brownies, and these babies show that rum will do the trick.
Brown Butter Rum Cannoli
Cannolis are always fab, but these adding booze makes them truly unbeatable.
Malibu Rum Cupcakes
These cupcakes will take you straight to the beach. Since Malibu is so sugary (which explains the horrible hangovers), you can turn up the booze and they’ll still taste good.
Banana Bread with a Nutella Swirl
Vodka
Vodka Blueberry Floats
Take mixed drinks to a whole new level with these vodka floats.
Birthday Cake Vodka Milkshakes
The vodka might not do much for the flavor but this birthday cake vodka milkshake is definitely a more delicious way to get a buzz on.
Pie Crust
Adding vodka to pie crust is actually a classic trick to make it that perfect flaky texture. Invest some time into this recipe next time you decide to whip out a pie.
Wine
Raspberry and Lime Sangria Popsicles
It’s like your usual summer sangria, but better. These popsicles are a refreshing summer treat perfect for this heat.
Chocolate Merlot Cake
This chocolate cake is perfect for the wine connoisseur in your life.
Red Wine Cupcake
Channel your inner Olivia Pope and pour yourself a big glass of red wine with these red wine cupcakes.
Champagne
Champagne Cupcakes
These classy champagne cupcakes are perfect for New Years or any other celebration.
Chocolate Macarons with Raspberry Champagne Filling
The subtle champagne flavor in the filling enhances the classic chocolate raspberry pair in these macarons.
Prosecco Waffles
Pair these fancy waffles with a pitcher of mimosas for the perfect boozy brunch.