When was the last time you actually tasted a very satisfying boozy baking recipe?
Today, I will share, a double bold whiskey chocolate cake with you that will hit all the notes that you would expect from a boozy baking recipe!
The Overview of Whiskey Chocolate Cake
What happens when you mix chocolate cake, with whiskey? You get a fabulous bold whiskey chocolate cake, but, it’s not quite that easy, lol!
The resulting flavors of deep notes of chocolate, and whiskey, come from mastering the simple ingredient list, and not subbing in anything.
Let’s experience the boozy baking recipe bite by bite
With the first bite of my bold whiskey chocolate cake, you’ll be treated to a slightly thicker chocolate ganache, offering a smooth and creamy chocolate texture with a hint of spice (we’ll go into details later) and definitely a subtle light hint of whiskey.
Then you’ll experience tastes that come from a dense cake batter, layered throughout the series of laced ingredients ranging from whiskey to chocolate.
But more specifically a taste hinting towards ‘earthy’ because when chocolate is mixed in a recipe with whiskey that is one of the tasting notes, so to speak.
In fact, the chocolate cake may taste bitter for just a nano-second because of the cocoa in the recipe.
While whiskey will always be in the background of the taste, the chocolate will delight.
What you won’t taste is what I will refer to as a flat taste, because all of the easy-to-find and combine ingredients simply mesh and refine beautifully.
Adults Only!
Short, sweet, and simple.
Did you know that a common myth about baking with whiskey is that it evaporates right out of your recipe?
Not true and that link that I just shared above explains.
Why you’ll love this bold whiskey chocolate cake
What’s the worst thing that happens when you Google recipes? I’ll answer that for you.
Let’s say you are looking for a whiskey chocolate cake, what you will find are multiple returns on your search and a lot of the following.
You’ll find complicated ingredient-driven recipes that take way more time and often skill than you have to dedicate to the task!
My site is known for beginner-level recipes, with uncomplicated ingredients that deliver big on taste and slim on committed time!
So, today, I will share my beginner’s bold whiskey chocolate cake that tastes like it was baked by a pro!
Honestly, this is a fabulously easy boozy baking recipe!
Tips for the bold whiskey chocolate cake
Alright now, if you are not a whiskey fan, go ahead and use extracts.
While the extract will not be nearly as bold, it will be an amicable substitute.
Plus, if you were not a huge fan of whiskey in a cake, then this will tone it down.
You can use bourbon which will be a bit sweeter in the end, while a rye whiskey will be a tad spicier.
That choice is all you. You’ll see in the photos the whiskey bottle/whiskey have used, but then I changed it all up and well, the Irish Whiskey is where it’s at.
Now, I will tell you I used a whiskey and a very specific whiskey because after spending time in Ireland, I am a bit jaded and partial.
Plus, using this allowed me to add in a bit more of what I learned while at the Jameson tour to bring on a bit more of a spike in the overall taste.
You can grab all the details in my recipe below.
Other tips to consider when making this boozy baking recipe
You do not want to overmix the batter, it will dry it out and change this recipe.
Use parchment paper inside of your cake pans, and it will make this so much easier to lift.
One note on parchment and baking pans: spray the parchment, and a light sprinkle of flour, I always do.
When you mix the alcohol with the other ingredients, I use a separate bowl first and a wire whisk, it always seems to be the best method, versus the mixer. If you use a hand mixer for this use the whisks only.
The Bold Range of Yum To Expect
The bold whiskey chocolate cake is not just plain chocolate, it has depth.
You’ll find this cake to be aromatic, tasty, tantalizing, satisfying, savory, luscious, smooth, bittersweet, comforting and that’s the shortlist.
Ganache Options Abound For the Boozy Baking Recipe
Now, truth be told, the ganache is either gonna make or break this cake, so consider your options then go crazy.
What I believe is that what’s on the inside needs to be complimented on the outside but only to the point that YOU will love what you baked.
Who cares what everyone else thinks. If you are baking this bold whiskey cake for you, then worry about YOUR overall impression and taste wants, not everyone else’s.
You can use my fabulous RED GANACHE if you want to color this cake up with some holiday love.
However, you can also use my basic, yet bold Chocolate Ganache recipe.
Or you can use the Ganache recipe I have added here that offers coconut flavoring.
Last, if you really want to make this yummy, and my favorite, you’ll use a flavored creamer of choices (do not use heavy whipping cream) those coffee creamers in the dairy aisle that are flavored will brighten this ganache up!
Platters up!
When you have assembled your fabulous creation, you’ll want to plate it up.
So do take the time to put it on a nice cake platter.
Your ganache will make it look every bit as good as mine and better.
There’s no right or wrong here, just allow yourself a bit of creativity and a few moments to love on your baking moment.
To top off your ganache iced cake, you could use contradicting colors such as white chocolate shavings or red chocolate drops.
Naturally, a few fun sprinkles would take the look in a different way or even pieces of a chocolate bar, cut up and spread atop.
For seasonal touches, clip floral to the serving dish, knowing well in advance that you might just have chocolate on them and they may never come clean!
Have fun with this and enjoy~ Dana XO
BOLD Chocolate Whiskey Cake
With the first bite of my bold whiskey chocolate cake, you'll be treated to a slightly thicker chocolate ganache, offering a smooth and creamy chocolate texture with a hint of spice (we'll go into details later) and definitely a subtle light hint of whiskey.
Then you'll experience tastes that come from a dense cake batter, layered throughout the series of laced ingredients ranging from whiskey to chocolate.
But more specifically a taste hinting towards 'earthy' because when chocolate is mixed in a recipe with whiskey that is one of the tasting notes, so to speak.
In fact, the chocolate cake may taste bitter for just a nano-second because of the cocoa in the recipe.
While whiskey will always be in the background of the taste, the chocolate will delight.
What you won't taste is what I will refer to as a flat taste, because all of the easy-to-find and combine ingredients simply mesh and refine beautifully.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 c white sugar
- 1 c light brown sugar
- ¾ c sour cream (or Plain Yogurt)
- ½ c vegetable oil going for density + moist so don’t sub in butter
- 1/2 C Brewed Coffee (strong)
- 1/2 c whiskey (1/2 C Whiskey – I suggest Jameson but I've used others as you see in my photo
- 1/4 t black pepper (ONLY ADD THIS IF YOU USE IRISH WHISKEY)
- 1 T pure vanilla extract
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- ¾ c cocoa powder
- 1 t baking powder
- 1 t baking soda
- ½ t salt
- 7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chunks
- GANACHE (or use the ones I listed in the blog post)
- 8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 c canned coconut milk**
- 2 T whiskey
- 1/16 t salt
- GARNISH
- Chocolate or White Chocolate Shavings
- and/or Fresh Raspberries or Strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Spray two 8” round cake pans with baking spray and line them each with a piece of parchment paper.
- Add eggs, then white sugar, and brown sugar to a large bowl. (STAND or HAND MIXER)
- mix on low speed until combined.
- In a separate bowl combine sour cream, vegetable oil, water, whiskey, and vanilla extract until fully combined
and smooth. - Set aside.
- In a large bowl sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Set aside.
- Alternate folding dry ingredients and wet ingredients into the sugar mixture just until combined, taking care not to
overmix the batter. - Finally, fold in the chunked bittersweet chocolate and pour the batter into the prepared cake pans.
- Place in the oven and bake until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out
clean, around 33-38 minutes depending on your oven. - Cool in pans for 30 minutes then turn onto a cooling rack until completely cool.
- GANACHE PREP STARTS HERE ALTERNATE GANACHE OPTIONS IN NOTES AND BLOG POST
- While the cake is cooling, place semi-sweet chocolate in a medium bowl.
- Heat the coconut milk in the microwave or on the stovetop just until it boils.
- Remove from heat and pour over the chocolate.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 2 minutes, then stir with a whisk until a smooth and glossy ganache forms.
- Add 2 T whiskey and salt. Continue whisking just until combined.
- Once the cake is fully cooled to room temperature, spread a thin layer of ganache in between layers then frost
the rest of the cake with the whiskey ganache. - Sprinkle with chocolate shavings, white chocolate, or berries on top, if desired,
- Enjoy!
Notes
Now, truth be told, the ganache is either gonna make or break this cake, so consider your options then go crazy.
What I believe is that what's on the inside needs to be complimented on the outside but only to the point that YOU will love what you baked.
Who cares what everyone else thinks. If you are baking this bold whiskey cake for you, then worry about YOUR overall impression and taste wants, not everyone else's.
You can use my fabulous RED GANACHE if you want to color this cake up with some holiday love.
However, you can also use my basic, yet bold Chocolate Ganache reciperecipe.
Or you can use the Ganache recipe I have added here that offers coconut flavoring.
Last, if you really want to make this yummy, and my favorite, you'll use a flavored creamer of choices (do not use heavy whipping cream) those coffee creamers in the dairy aisle that are flavored will brighten this ganache up!
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