Whiskey praline cake recipe

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A few years ago I purchased a copy of Booze Cakes: Confections Spiked with Spirits, Wine, and Beer as a special holiday treat for myself and I was immediately intrigued at the unique recipes this book contained. One recipe stood out to me more than the rest, Black Jack Praline Cake, and I just knew I would be making the cake sometime in the future. That day came on Thanksgiving, when I treated a friend to a special homemade Turkey Day dinner. Never one to follow a recipe as written, I made some changes and here is the resulting recipe.

WHISKEY PRALINE CAKE
Cake Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 stick softened butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 1/4 cup mashed sweet potato
  • 1/3 cup Jack Daniels whiskey
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans
Praline Topping Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans
Whiskey Sauce Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3/4 cup Jack Daniels whiskey
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Generously butter and flour a 9 inch loaf pan and set aside. In a large bowl, beat sugars and butter together until fluffy. Add in eggs and molasses then add flour and baking powder and beat until just combined. Stir is all remaining ingredients until combined and pour into prepared pan. Bake 45-55 minutes, until golden brown or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When done, allow to cool in pan for about 10 minutes before inverting onto a cake plate or other serving piece. While the cake is baking, prepare the praline and sauce. To make the praline topping, combine all ingredients except the nuts and cook over low heat until the butter is melted and everything has combined. Stir in nuts and set aside. To make the whiskey sauce, combine all ingredients and cook over low heat until it begins to boil. Cook until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. To assemble the cake, sprinkle with praline topping and spoon 1/3 of the sauce over the top of the cake. When ready to serve, slice and plate cake and drizzle with more sauce, or serve with the sauce on the side and allow guests to top as desired.

Cook's Notes
  • To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and place them in a 350 degree F oven for 6-8 minutes. Pecan pieces will take less time than pecan halves.
  • You can use whatever brand of whiskey you like for this recipe, but be aware that cheaper brands of whiskey will not have the same quality of flavor as the more expensive brands.

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