Bourbon Cake Recipe with Pecans: A Southern Classic

A good bourbon cake recipe is one of those things that’s handed down from generation to generation here in the south. This unusual bourbon pecan cake was found in an early 20th century cookbook with a hastily scrawled star next to the title in faded blue ink. I think you’ll love it as much as that long ago baker did!

For this recipe you’ll need: butter, sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, whole nutmeg, pecans, bourbon, Confectioner’s sugar, bundt pan

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Few holidays in Texas aren’t celebrated with copious amounts of alcohol. This Southern bourbon cake certainly has that. It’s a dense cake that has a strong bourbon flavor mellowed with the addition of buttery chopped pecans. Then more bourbon is poured over the warm cake, and finally a bourbon butter glaze is drizzled over the top.

Be sure to get a good bourbon because that’s where all the flavor is going to come from. I use one or another that’s distilled in Texas – Garrison Brothers or Firestone & Robertson. Use something you like.

My very first experience with bourbon cake was when I was about 17 and working in the Jr. Department of Joske’s.  It was just before Christmas and I was invited to a Christmas party at the home of one of my co-workers. That table was laden down with all kinds of appetizers, cookies, desserts… you name it. It looked like something out of a Dicken’s novel. Right smack in the center of the table was a crystal cake dish with a bundt cake on it. It all looked scrumptious.

Now, most everyone there was an adult. I started working at 14 by lying about my age. I worked from 3:30 to 11 pm after school and worked a 40 hour week. By the time I was 16 I was working full time and making a bit more than minimum wage (which was 2.25 an hour, by the way). I looked older and I think people forgot that I was so young. Anyway, back to the cake.

I took the slice I was offered and sat on the fireplace, carefully balancing punch and cake on my knee. Trying very hard to look sophisticated I took a took a bite of the cake. Right then and there my sinuses cleared up, my head blew off, and my eyes probably bugged out.

So much for sophistication.

By the time the party was over I had sampled the cake as well as numerous rum balls and bourbon balls. You’ve just gotta love Southern hospitality. Being rather mature I decided to call my dad to pick me up rather than try to drive home myself. I decided this after I tripped off the edge of the dining area into the sunken living room and landed on my face. Honestly, I am not excessively graceful so that could have happened without the rum balls, bourbon balls, and bourbon cake but I wasn’t taking any chances.

Now, most of the alcohol in the actual cake bakes out but it’s soaked in bourbon after it comes out of the oven. Then an uncooked bourbon glaze goes over the top. In other words, I would have something “kid friendly” on the menu as well. As a matter of fact, you can substitute a good, spicy ginger beer or ginger ale for the bourbon if you don’t imbibe.

This bourbon cake tastes better the second or third day so it’s great to make ahead!

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I love this bundt pan by Nordic Ware. It’s simple and elegant – perfect for any occasion. Nordic Ware produces heavy bakeware that lasts just about forever. It’s my pick as far as manufacturers go – and they have some fabulous designs. This is just one of them.

Southern Bourbon Cake Recipe

Here’s that easy bourbon cake recipe! Remember to use a good bourbon and let it sit at least overnight.

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Southern Bourbon Cake

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

1 hrs 40 mins

Total Time

1 hrs 50 mins

 

This Southern Bourbon Cake recipe came from an early 20th century cookbook. The cake is not too sweet and the pecans add rich flavor. You better like bourbon, though. This is not a cake for anyone who doesn't like bourbon! If you don't drink you can make this with a good, spicy ginger beer or ginger ale.

Servings: 1 large bundt cake - 24 servings

Author: Marye

Ingredients

• Butter for greasing pan
• Sugar for pan
• 2 cups butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 6 eggs
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 cups chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup bourbon
• 3 tablespoons of bourbon for pouring

Glaze

• 1-1/2 cups Confectioner's sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon bourbon
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Have all ingredients at room temperature before beginning.
2. Grease a bundt pan and add about 1/4 cup sugar.
3. Move the bundt pan around and gently shake until the sugar coats the pan.
4. Pour out any excess sugar.
5. Preheat the oven to 325F.
6. Cream the butter and 2 cups of sugar together until light and fluffy.
7. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
8. Beat in 1/4 cup of the bourbon.
9. Blend the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg together.
10. Add to the creamed mixture a little at a time.
11. Stir in the remaining bourbon and pecans.
12. Spoon into the prepared bundt pan.
13. Bake at 325F for 1 hour 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted halfway between the side and the center has just one or two crumbs attached to it.
14. Remove cake from oven.
15. While still hot pour the 3 tablespoons of bourbon over the cake along the outside edge.
16. Let cool in the pan.

Glaze

1. Add the Confectioner's sugar to a bowl.
2. Stir in the melted butter until well blended.
3. Add enough bourbon to make a thick glaze.
4. Spoon the glaze over the cooled cake and sprinkle with more chopped pecans.

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