Irish Whiskey Cake Recipe

User Reviews

4.8

189 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    35 mins

  • Additional Time

    15 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 10 mins

  • Servings

    10 slices

  • Calories

    852 kcal

  • Course

    Cake

  • Cuisine

    American

Irish Whiskey Cake Recipe

The Irish Whiskey Cake combines a buttery, lightly sweetened cake with layers of whiskey-infused buttercream and a glaze. Using self-rising flour and quality butter, this cake balances a moist crumb with the distinctive warmth of Irish whiskey. The multi-layered approach highlights the whiskey flavor through both the batter and frostings, making it a rich dessert option.

Description

This recipe for Irish Whiskey Cake starts with creamed butter and superfine sugar, blended with beaten eggs and sifted self-rising flour. Irish whiskey is incorporated in the batter to add depth and subtle warmth. The cake is baked at 350°F until a light golden color and done through.

The frosting consists of a whiskey buttercream filling made from creamed butter, powdered sugar, milk, and whiskey, providing creamy sweetness with a pronounced whiskey taste. Additionally, a whiskey glaze can be added on top, using butter, cream, sugars, and whiskey, contributing moisture and a glossy finish.

The cake is suited for occasions where a boozy dessert is desirable and can be served as is, with frosting alone, or with glaze as preferred. The richness of the buttercream complements the tender cake crumb, and the whiskey flavor is present but balanced by sweetness.

Options include skipping the glaze for a simpler presentation or sprinkling sugar on top for texture. Adjust the quantity of whiskey to taste in the buttercream and glaze layers.

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Ingredients

Servings

Cake:

  • 2 ½ ticks butter good quality, at room temperature, unsalted
  • 1 ¼ cups superfine sugar (caster sugar in the UK)
  • 6 egg beaten
  • 2 cups self-rising flour (or all purpose flour with 2 tsp baking powder), SIFTED
  • 2 Tbsp Irish whiskey
  • tsp salt (if you only have salted butter, omit the salt)

Whiskey Buttercream Filling:

  • 1 ¼ ticks butter softened, unsalted
  • tsp salt
  • 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp whiskey use a little at a time of what you like
  • 1 Tbsp milk use a little at a time of what you like

Whiskey Glaze:

  • ¼ tick butter good quality
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Irish whiskey

Instructions

Make the Whiskey Cake:

  1. Oven temperature: 350℉ (180℃).
  2. Grease the pans using butter or a spray, line the bottom with parchment paper, then dust the sides with flour. Set aside.
  3. In a stand mixer or using a handheld mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. It will begin to pale in color, too.Add about one third of the beaten eggs, and continue to beat medium speed.
  4. Now add about a third of the sifted flour. Repeat this step, then add the rest of the eggs and mix well. Turn the mixer to low and add the final flour and the whiskey and mix until well combined, but do not over mix.
  5. Using a scale, divide the mixture evenly between the two tins and place in the center of a preheated oven for about 35 minutes. If you don't own a scale (I highly advise it for best baking results) just eye it. Since ovens vary greatly, do not open the oven until you start to smell the cake and it looks well risen (through the glass).
  6. Carefully check that the cake is done with a cake tester or thin skewer. If it is too raw, the cakes will fall and you won’t be happy, so the previous step is important.
  7. When the cake is done, remove them from the oven and allow to cool for about 15 minutes before removing from the tins. 
  8. To remove: place a cooling rack over the top of the cake and flip it over quickly. Remove from the tin, peel off the parchment paper and allow to cool completely before filling.

Fill and Decorate the Irish Whiskey Cake:

  1. Make the whiskey buttercream by mixing all of the ingredients together in a bowl until a smooth spreading/piping consistency is formed.
  2. Using a cake leveler, or large serated knife, place the cake layers, flat side down on the counter and slice off the top to make them even. 
  3. Save or freeze the leftover cake to make trifle(s)!
  4. Place one layer, CUT SIDE UP on a serving plate or cake stand and spread or pipe the whiskey buttercream over the top. I used a 2D tip if you wanted to do the same.
  5. Top with the second layer, but this time, CUT SIDE DOWN.

Make the Whiskey Glaze:

  1. Put all of the glaze ingredients except the whiskey into a small pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding the whiskey. Stir and check the consistency before pouring over the cake: it should be a bit more thick than it was when hot, but not so cool/thick that it won't run off the edges of the cake.
  3. Pour over the cake and allow to run slightly down the edges. Decorate with some clover if you have it (for St. Patrick's Day).
  4. Slice and serve.

Notes

  • The whiskey glaze is optional; you may choose to leave it off or add extra buttercream instead for frosting the cake.
  • For a simpler finish, sprinkle granulated sugar on top rather than using glaze or frosting.
  • The cake can be served plain without toppings if preferred.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1slice Calories 852kcal (43%) Carbohydrates 105g (35%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 44g (68%) Saturated Fat 27g (135%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g (12%) Monounsaturated Fat 12g (60%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 222mg (74%) Sodium 80mg (3%) Potassium 96mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 86g (172%) Vitamin A 1469IU (29%) Vitamin C 0.1mg (0%) Calcium 44mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 852 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice
Calories 852kcal 43%
Carbohydrates 105g 35%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 44g 68%
Saturated Fat 27g 135%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 12g 60%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 222mg 74%
Sodium 80mg 3%
Potassium 96mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 86g 172%
Vitamin A 1469IU 29%
Vitamin C 0.1mg 0%
Calcium 44mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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