Down in the great state of Texas, there’s a fantastic farm to table restaurant chain named for their signature dessert. Jonathan traveled to San Antonio a few years ago and came back raving about Whiskey Cake.
We found a recipe from Karlie Kiser on her blog Culinary Crumbs, and decided to give the ultra rich cake a try. You can find her blog and the recipe here.
This Texas Whiskey cake has loads of flavor with candied Texas pecans, a sticky date cake, and two rich sauces. You won’t be disappointed that you invested the time in making this cake.
And if you’re ever in San Antonio, check out Whiskey Cake. I was able to go this past summer with Jonathan, and their food was delicious!
Important Note: This cake has a lot of parts, but don’t be overwhelmed. If you read through all of the parts to the recipe before starting, and spread the work out over two days, it will be far less intimidating. The results are worth it.
Extra Important Note: This cake is so rich that you’ll need a siesta not long after!
Date Cake
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- 8 oz package of dried pitted dates, chopped into 1/2” pieces
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 jumbo eggs, at room temperature
- 1 3/4 cup self rising flour
- 3 tbsp turbinado sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º. Place dates, baking soda and boiling water in a medium sized bowl. Allow dates to soften in the boiled water for 15-20 minutes. Place the date mixture in a food processor for 2 minutes to form a paste.
- Next, using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter on medium speed for about 1 minute. Add the sugar and continue to cream for 3 minutes longer. Scrape down the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing in between to fully incorporate each egg. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Continue mixing on low speed, pouring in the flour in 1/2 cup portions, just until the flour is no longer visible.
- Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Add the date paste and gently fold in using a rubber spatula.
- Spray an 8″x14″ cake pan with non-stick spray. Sprinkle the turbinado sugar into the cake pan and move the pan around until the sugar coats the bottom and all sides. Pour in the cake batter and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool at room temperature for 20 minutes. Flip the cake out onto a parchment paper lined tray. Leave at room temperature to cool completely. Finally, wrap the cake in plastic wrap and store at room temperature until ready to use.
Spiced Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 lb pecan halves
- 2 tsp water
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350º. Mix water, syrup, salt, and both peppers together in a small bowl. Place pecans in a medium sized bowl. Pour maple syrup mixture over pecans and mix until all are evenly coated.
- Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet covered with foil. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
- As soon as the pecans come out of the oven, scrape the pecans off the pan and break up pecan clumps to prevent from sticking together. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight plastic container at room temperature.
Bourbon Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- 4 jumbo egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp bourbon
Instructions
- Bring heavy cream, 1/4 cup sugar and vanilla bean to a simmer in a small or medium-sized sauce pot.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and other 1/4 cup sugar together until frothy.
- While stirring, slowly add about 1/2 of the heavy cream mixture to the eggs. Stir together gently. Pour the egg mixture into the pot of remaining heavy cream. Continue to cook over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spatula or spoon.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and bourbon and remove from heat. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a container. Place the container of bourbon sauce in an ice bath until cool.
- Either use the sauce immediately, or store in the fridge until ready to use. If stored in the fridge before use, re-heat in the microwave at 10 second intervals on 50% power until thinned and slightly warm.
Toffee Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 lb light brown sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place butter in a heavy bottom sauce pot over medium heat. Once melted, add brown sugar and continue to cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add heavy cream and allow to cook for another 6-7 minutes, still stirring occasionally.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in bourbon and vanilla. Use sauce immediately or store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat before using.
Whipped Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla to the bowl. Beginning at low speed and slowly increasing the speed to high, whip the mixture together until slightly stiff peaks form.
- Use immediately or store in the fridge until ready to use.
Assembly Directions for Texas Whiskey Cake:
1. Cut the date cake into 12 equal pieces. Poke several holes in the top of each piece using a wooden skewer. Arrange the cake pieces on a baking sheet covered with nonstick foil.
2. Heat the oven to 500º. Pour 1/4 cup of toffee sauce over each piece of date cake. Place toffee soaked cake pieces in the oven for about 4-5 minutes, until the toffee sauce is bubbling and the cake is warmed throughout.
3. Spoon 1/4 cup of bourbon sauce onto 12 individual plates or bowls. Place each piece of warmed cake in the middle of each pool of bourbon sauce. Top each piece with whipped cream and candied pecans! Enjoy!
