Bourbon Cake Using Cake Mix Recipes

BOURBON TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment circles and spray thoroughly with nonstick baking spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large measuring cup, blend the eggs, sour cream and vanilla.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend the melted butter and oil on low speed until incorporated. Mix in the coffee and bourbon. Slowly add the flour mixture; mix until smooth. Add the egg mixture and mix until thoroughly blended.
• Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack and let cool completely.
• While cakes are in the oven, whip up the filling: Melt the baking chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl until smooth. Set aside to cool.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the salted butter and granulated sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Drizzle in the melted chocolate and vanilla and whip until combined. Adjust the mixer to medium speed and add the eggs, one at a time, mixing for 5 full minutes between each addition. Once the eggs are incorporated, chill the filling for 30 minutes to firm up.
• For the ganache: Place the bittersweet chocolate in a metal bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the heavy cream just to a boil, then pour it over the chopped chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Let cool to room temperature.
• To assemble the cake: Level and split the cake layers with a serrated knife. Layer the ganache and filling alternately to build an attractive layer cake. Chill the cake completely, then pour lukewarm ganache over the top, allowing plenty to drip down the sides of the cake.
• When you can't hold back any longer, slice and enjoy!

PEACH-BOURBON UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine 3/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons water in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet and stir until the mixture looks like wet sand. Cook over medium-high heat, gently swirling the pan occasionally but not stirring, until light amber, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and arrange the peaches in concentric circles over the caramel. Drizzle with the bourbon; set the skillet aside.
• Whisk the flour, ground pecans, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Beat the butter and the remaining 1 cup sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition, then beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour, and mix until just incorporated. Pour the batter over the peaches and spread evenly.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. (Cover loosely with foil if the cake is browning too quickly.) Let sit 15 minutes, then invert onto a platter and let cool completely.

KENTUCKY BOURBON CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease a 10 inch tube pan and line bottom with parchment paper.
• Soak raisins and cherries in 2 cups of bourbon or whiskey for 48 hours. Before making cake, drain well and reserve the bourbon.
• In a separate bowl, mix flour, nutmeg and baking powder. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, cream butter with the white sugar. In a separate small bowl, cream yolks and brown sugar until very light.
• In a very large bowl, combine the two sugar mixtures and blend well.
• Alternately add flour mixture and reserved bourbon in three stages, mixing well with each addition.
• Add soaked fruit and fold in. Add nuts and fold in.
• In a clean medium bowl, whip egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into batter until evenly distributed.
• Pour into prepared 10 inch tube pan. Place a pan of water in the bottom of the oven and bake for 4 to 5 hours at 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Ovens vary, so watch the baking time. Test cake with wooden pick. (May take longer than 5 hours).
• Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes before turning out. When almost cool, brush sides and inside hole heavily with bourbon. Wrap cake with bourbon soaked cheesecloth, then with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight and saturate again with bourbon. Cover with plastic wrap and then with foil and store for at least 2 weeks in a cool dry place.

WHISKEY CAKE (CAKE MIX)

Steps:

• Cake: Mix cake ingredients; beat 5 minutes.
• Bake at 350 degrees in tube pan for 1 hour.
• Glaze: Mix glaze ingredients and cook in a saucepan over low heat until mixture comes to a boil.
• When cake is removed from the oven, pour glaze over cake slowly, then leave in pan for 2 hours.