11 #Desserts Made (Way) Better By #Booze
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11 #Desserts Made (Way) Better By #Booze
Desserts and liquor are two of life’s most indulgent culinary pleasures. Combine the two and it’s like heaven in your mouth. If you have ever debated over having dessert or having an after dinner drink, why not have two in one? It is possible to have your booze and eat it too!
Just like salt, alcohol is a flavor enhancer. Its unique chemical properties make rum, whisky, vodka, beer and wine much more than an accompaniment to a meal. Alcohol bonds with fat and water molecules, enriching flavor and aroma. It adds depth without being too intense. Each type of alcohol lends a unique flavor profile to foods—and sweets are no exception.
Imagine vanilla bean cupcakes topped with swirls of Irish whiskey buttercream. Chocolate chip cookies made with brown butter bourbon. Rich fudge brownies drizzled with salted caramel rum sauce. Any desserts you can think of can probably be elevated by some of your favorite alcohol.
When It Comes To Liquor, Quality Counts
Like any good dish, ingredients are key and if you’re using alcohol as a flavor enhancer, you want to choose carefully. Top shelf liquor or spirits aged in a Red Head Oak Barrel will better intensify your ingredients, making for a far more delectable dessert. Better quality alcohol has many nuanced flavors that can add herbal, smoky and even floral accents to your favorite cake, cookie, ice cream and pie recipes.
General guidelines:
• Cook with something in a similar vein to what you’re drinking so that the flavors will complement each other.
• Don’t cook with a spirit, wine or beer you wouldn’t drink. Cooking doesn’t improve the quality or taste.
• When adding liquor to your dish, start with what the recipe suggests, taste, and add (carefully) as desired. Too little and you won’t taste it, too much and you’ll mask the dessert.
Here are a few desserts enhanced with liquor to try.
1. Red Wine Brownies
Photo Credit: Glitter Inc.
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ¼ cup red wine
2. Whiskey Buttercream Icing
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tablespoons salted caramel
• 3 tablespoons quality whiskey
Cream butter and powdered sugar together in a medium bowl, using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment if you have one, otherwise a regular mixer will do.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly drizzle in the caramel. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula if not using the paddle attachment.
With the mixer on low speed, very slowly drizzle in the whiskey. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat for 20 additional seconds.
Use on top of any cupcakes, cake or pie.
3. Vodka Milkshake
• 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 1 ounce plain or cake flavored vodka
• ½ cup Milk
• Sprinkles For Garnish
Mix all ingredients together in a blender, pour into a tall glass, garnish with sprinkles and you’re done! Multiply the ingredients as needed for more servings.
4. Tequila Granita
• 10 cups watermelon cubed
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup blanco tequila
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
5. Short Cut Salted Caramel Rum Sauce
• Two 12-ounce bottles of salted caramel sauce (any kind of typical ice cream topping will do)
• Two ounces of rum (more or less to taste)
Heat caramel and rum in a saucepan on low. Stir thoroughly.
That’s it! Drizzle over brownies, cake, ice cream, apples, popcorn or just eat it with a spoon.
6. Whiskey Sriracha Caramel Popcorn
• 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in water overnight
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon whisky
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup butter
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 16 cups fresh-popped unsalted and unflavored popcorn
• 1/3 cup peanuts
7. Cola, Peanuts and Whiskey Desserts
• 1 bottle of chilled Coke
• 2 ounces whiskey
• 15-20 salted, roasted peanuts
Put nuts in a tall glass with ice, whiskey and 8-12 ounces of cola to taste. Enjoy!
8. Beer-Battered Apple Rings
• 1 egg white
• 1 cup beer
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Vegetable oil
• 4 apples, peeled or not, Granny Smith or Gala
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
9. Vodka Gummy Bears
• 3 pounds gummy bears
• 1-2 cups vodka
Arrange gummy bears in a glass bowl and pour vodka on top, making sure all are covered. Add more vodka if needed.
Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and refrigerate for two days.
Remove the candy with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. The leftover vodka can be used for your favorite cocktails.
10. Rum Baked Bananas
• 4 ripe, but firm bananas
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 3 tablespoons dark spiced rum
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
11. Bourbon Brownie Balls
• 1 1/2 sticks butter, cut into pieces
• 6 ounces finely chopped semisweet chocolate (or about 1/2 bag of chocolate chips)
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons bourbon
• Coarse sugar, for rolling
What Are Your Favorite Recipes Made With Alcohol?
Do you have a recipe you love that’s made with your favorite booze? Send it to us here so we can share it! Let us know how you’re using your Red Head homemade oak barrel to create alcohol that has a smoother, higher-quality taste. Here are some recipes, ideas and suggestions when it comes to aging booze in a Red Head Oak Barrel. Call us at 469-969-0449; we are happy to answer any questions.