Sweet & Spirited: Whisky-Infused Dessert Ideas
A tumbler of whiskey can do more than just warm your bones on a chilly winter night. This smooth and smokey liquid can add surprising depth and unmatched flavor to a wide range of your seasonal desserts.
Whether you enjoy Irish whiskey, a perfectly aged Glenfiddich Scotch, or the gentle notes of a good-quality bourbon, incorporating this robust brown spirit into your baking will transform your sweet treats with the perfect amount of smokey perfection.
Poached Whisey Peaches with Vanilla & Pink Peppercorns
Sweet and juicy peaches quickly become an elegant post-dinner dessert when left to poach in liquid gold, which comprises fresh vanilla, sweet but spicy pink peppercorns, and robust whiskey. Before adding your peaches to the liquid, bring the ingredients to a soft boil for roughly two minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve properly.
Opt for a rye whiskey or a rye-heavy bourbon, which both add a pleasant spice to the fragrant marinade without completely overpowering the delicate flavors of the peaches and peppercorns. These perfectly poached fruits can be served alongside scoops of vanilla ice cream, atop a piping hot waffle, or simply drizzled with fresh cream.
Whiskey-Maple Dumplings
Give classic golden syrup dumplings an adult-friendly boozy makeover by swapping the intensely sweet golden syrup for the gentle flavor of maple syrup spiked with delicious smokey whiskey and the heat of ginger. It is the ideal winter weather dessert that is easy to prepare and sure to please.
For the best balance of flavors, add ground ginger to your dumpling recipe. If placed in the syrup, its strong flavor could quickly overpower your entire dish. Use your preferred whiskey when creating your sauce, but bear in mind that the flavor will soften as the sauce simmers and thickens.
Cinnamon & Raisin Brownies with Whiskey Syrup
The thought of cinnamon and raisin brownies may haunt your inner child, but these fudgy and decadent brownies spiked with the perfect slosh of punchy whiskey are the perfect festive gift for your holiday entertaining, if you can part with them, of course.
Before you begin preparing your brownie mixture, your raisins need to be steeped in a bowl with whiskey and cinnamon quill and left at room temperature for at least two hours, or preferably overnight. These bursting pops of flavor will help keep your brownies moist and chewy. Once strained, be sure to reserve the whiskey mixture for later use.
Place the chocolate, butter, and salt in a heatproof bowl and melt the mixture over a double boiler, setting aside to cool. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and sugar until well combined, then fold in the flour, cocoa powder, chocolate mixture, and soaked raisins.
While your cake bakes, add orange juice, sugar, and your reserved whiskey and cinnamon liquid to a pan, cooking over high heat until reduced by half and thickened. Once baked, allow your brownies to cool before slicing them into fingers and adorning them with a healthy drizzle of your punchy syrup.
Chocolate Mousse with Whiskey Caramel Popcorn
If you have never made homemade chocolate mousse before, you may be surprised to learn that it is easy to whip up. While recipes vary in ingredients and methods, a deliciously smooth and creamy mousse can be achieved simply by blending chocolate and hot water in a food mixer until melted and smooth. Add egg whites and blend again until well combined. Finish off the mix with cream and vanilla before giving it a final mix and pouring it into serving glasses to be chilled for at least four hours.
The crunchy popcorn topping requires sugar, whiskey, cardamom, and water to be added to a saucepan and brought to a simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sugar has melted and the sauce has thickened slightly. Set aside to cool before adding your popped popcorn and toss to coat.
Whiskey Affogato
Affogato is a popular classic Italian dessert traditionally made using hot espresso poured over creamy vanilla ice cream. While nothing is wrong with this easy recipe that any coffee lover will enjoy, a healthy glug of your best whiskey transforms it into a warm and comforting after-dinner treat.
The right balance of flavors is best achieved by using plain vanilla ice cream, which closely mimics cream or milk in a typical cup of coffee. This results in a pool of creamy coffee forming at the bottom of your bowl. When selecting the best whiskey to use, opt for something that has a noticeable hit of flavor but won’t overpower the other ingredients. With only three ingredients in the recipe, there is a fine line between a tasty dessert and a boozy concoction.
Blackberry Trifle with Rosemary Cream & Pine Nut Crumble
Blackberries are a summer showstopper, and their limited seasonal window means you need to make the most of them while they are around. Champion this juicy fruit by stewing it together with a good quality bourbon to create a deliciously quick compote, which can be used to top off a variety of freshly baked desserts.
Highlight the sweetness of the mixture by cutting a pound cake into two even layers. Brush additional Bourbon over each slice, adding a punch of smokey flavor. Assemble your cake with a layer of rosemary-infused whipped cream and compote between your two slices before topping the masterpiece with the remaining whipped cream, dollops of compote, additional fresh blackberries, and a crunchy pine nut crumble.
