Okay, so you know how some desserts just *scream* Thanksgiving? Well, this Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast is that dessert, times a million! It’s not just a cake; it’s like a warm hug in edible form, perfected for your holiday table. I remember the first time I made this, my kitchen smelled absolutely divine, a mix of cozy spices and that unmistakable warmth of good bourbon. It’s seriously the perfect way to add a little something special to your Thanksgiving spread, and trust me, everyone will be asking for the recipe!

Why You'll Love This Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Seriously, what’s not to love about this cake? It’s a total winner for so many reasons:

So Easy to Make: Even if you’re not a pro baker, this recipe is super forgiving and comes together quickly.
Incredible Flavor: That rich bourbon paired with warm spices? Pure holiday magic!
Festive & Fancy: It looks beautiful on the dessert table and totally fits the Thanksgiving vibe.
Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone, from your picky Uncle Bob to your adventurous Aunt Carol, will adore this Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast!

Gather Your Ingredients for the Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row! To whip up this amazing Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast, you’ll want to gather these goodies:

For the cake itself, we need:

1 cup of unsalted butter, make sure it’s softened up – like, leave it on the counter for an hour or so.
1.5 cups of granulated sugar – this is our sweetness base!
4 large eggs. Room temperature is best, so they mix in smoothly.
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract – always a good idea for depth.
A solid 1/2 cup of bourbon. Don’t skimp here, it’s the star!
2 cups of all-purpose flour, sifted if you’re feeling fancy, but not totally necessary.
1 teaspoon of baking powder for a little lift.
1/2 teaspoon of salt to balance everything out.
A pinch of cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon) and nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon) – these spices just hug the bourbon flavor.
And if you love a little crunch, 1/2 cup of chopped pecans. I like them pretty finely chopped so they’re in every bite.

And for that irresistible glaze:

1 cup of powdered sugar – sifted is good here to avoid lumps.
2 to 3 tablespoons of bourbon. You can totally add more if you want a stronger kick!
And 1 tablespoon of milk or cream to get it just right.

Essential Baking Equipment

You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this. Just grab a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan, a big mixing bowl for creaming, and a separate bowl for your dry stuff. A whisk is handy, and while an electric mixer makes creaming butter and sugar a breeze, a good sturdy spoon works too! Oh, and don’t forget a wooden skewer or toothpick for checking if it’s baked through, and a wire rack for cooling.

Crafting Your Perfect Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Alright, let’s get down to business and bake this beauty! It’s really not complicated, just follow these steps and you’ll have a showstopper. First things first, get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab your 9×5 inch loaf pan and give it a good grease and flour. This is super important so our gorgeous Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast doesn’t stick!

Preparing the Batter

Now for the magic part – the batter! In a nice big bowl, cream together your softened butter and the granulated sugar. You really want to get this fluffy and light; it makes such a difference in the final texture. A good electric mixer makes this a breeze, but honestly, a strong arm and a wooden spoon work too! Once it’s looking pale and creamy, beat in your eggs, one at a time. Don’t rush this! Then, stir in that lovely vanilla extract and our star ingredient, the bourbon. In a separate bowl, just give your flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg a quick whisk together. Now, here’s the key: gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet ingredients. Mix until it’s *just* combined. Seriously, stop mixing as soon as you don’t see dry flour anymore. Overmixing makes cakes tough, and we want tender!

Baking and Cooling the Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Once your batter is all mixed (and remember, no overmixing!), gently fold in those chopped pecans if you’re using them. Pour all that deliciousness into your prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly. Pop it into the preheated oven for about 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted right into the center comes out clean. No wet batter clinging to it! Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes – this helps it firm up a bit – then carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here is key before we glaze!

Creating the Bourbon Glaze

While the cake is doing its thing cooling down, let’s whip up that glorious glaze. It’s super simple: just whisk together the powdered sugar, a couple of tablespoons of bourbon, and that tablespoon of milk or cream in a small bowl. Keep whisking until it’s smooth and luscious. If it seems too thick, add a tiny bit more bourbon or milk, just a teaspoon at a time, until it’s drizzly but not watery. You want it to coat the cake beautifully!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Okay, a few things about these ingredients that really make this Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast sing! For the bourbon, use one you actually like the taste of – since it’s a main flavor, it matters! A decent mid-range bourbon works perfectly. If someone in your family isn’t a fan of bourbon, or you’re out, you can totally substitute it with dark rum for a similar warmth, or even strong brewed coffee for a different but still delicious vibe. The spices, cinnamon and nutmeg, are classic for a reason, they just hug that bourbon flavor and make everything feel so cozy and festive. If you can’t find nutmeg, a tiny pinch of allspice would also be nice. And for the pecans, if nuts aren’t your thing, just leave them out – the cake is still amazing!

Tips for a Flawless Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Want to make sure your Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast is absolutely perfect? Here are a few little secrets! First, make sure your bourbon is at room temperature when you add it to the batter. It just mixes in so much better that way! If you’re using those optional pecans, try soaking them in a tablespoon of bourbon for about 30 minutes before chopping and adding them. It really amps up that bourbon flavor, giving you an even richer Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast. And remember, don’t overmix the batter – just combine until you don’t see any dry flour left.

Serving and Storing Your Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Once that glorious bourbon glaze has set a bit, your Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast is ready to shine! It’s fantastic served just as it is, maybe with a tiny extra drizzle of glaze. For an extra touch of decadence, a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is never a bad idea, especially on Thanksgiving! If you happen to have any leftovers – which is rare, but it happens! – just wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It’ll stay wonderfully moist at room temperature for about 3-4 days. If you want to reheat a slice, just a few seconds in the microwave is all it takes to bring back that lovely warmth.

Frequently Asked Questions about Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Q1. Can I really taste the bourbon in this cake?
Oh yes, absolutely! This Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast is designed to have a noticeable, delicious bourbon flavor. We use a good amount (half a cup!) and the spices really help it shine through. If you want an even stronger kick, try soaking your pecans in a little bourbon beforehand, or add a touch more bourbon to the glaze.

Q2. Is this a difficult recipe for Thanksgiving baking?
Not at all! This is one of my favorite ‘easy Thanksgiving baking’ recipes. It’s a simple loaf cake, and the steps are very straightforward. The creaming of butter and sugar is the most involved part, but even that is easy with a mixer. It’s a great recipe for bakers of all levels, especially when you’ve got a busy holiday schedule!

Q3. What kind of bourbon should I use for this bourbon cake recipe?
You don’t need anything super fancy or expensive! A good quality, mid-range bourbon that you enjoy drinking will work perfectly. The flavor profile of the bourbon will come through, so pick something you like the taste of. Avoid anything too harsh or cheap, as it can affect the overall flavor of your Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast.

Q4. Can I make this cake ahead of time for Thanksgiving?
Yes, you totally can! This bourbon cake recipe is actually *better* made a day ahead. The flavors really meld and deepen overnight, making it even more delicious. Just let it cool completely, keep it wrapped tightly, and then add the glaze just before serving or a few hours before. It’s a fantastic make-ahead holiday dessert!

Nutritional Estimate for Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Just a heads-up, the nutrition for this delicious Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast is an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use. But generally, one slice has around 350-400 calories, about 30-35g of sugar, and 18-22g of fat. It’s a treat, for sure!

Melt Hearts With This 1 Thanksgiving Bourbon Blast

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 servings) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A rich and flavorful bourbon-infused dessert perfect for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1.5 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup bourbon
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons bourbon
1 tablespoon milk or cream

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and bourbon.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
If using, stir in the chopped pecans.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, bourbon, and milk or cream until smooth. Add more bourbon or milk if needed to reach desired consistency.
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.

Notes

Ensure bourbon is at room temperature for better incorporation.
For a deeper bourbon flavor, you can soak the pecans in a tablespoon of bourbon for 30 minutes before adding them to the batter.
The glaze can be adjusted to your preference; add more bourbon for a stronger taste or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: Approx. 350-400
Sugar: Approx. 30-35g
Sodium: Approx. 150-200mg
Fat: Approx. 18-22g
Saturated Fat: Approx. 10-12g
Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 8-10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: Approx. 40-45g
Fiber: Approx. 1-2g
Protein: Approx. 4-5g
Cholesterol: Approx. 70-80mg

Keywords: Thanksgiving, bourbon, cake, dessert, loaf cake, holiday baking, spiced cake