Best Bourbons for Baking: Full Guide (2023 Updated)

Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Lydia Martin

Bourbon can add richness and depth of flavor to cakes, pies, and other baked goods that are simply unmatched. But not all bourbons are created equal, with some better suited for baking than others.

So what’s the best bourbon for baking? Check out our list.

Top 5 Bourbons to Bake With (Almost Anything) 

5. 80-Proof Jim Beam

Jim Beam is made from a blend of corn, rye, and barley with a sweet taste with hints of vanilla, honey, butterscotch, oak, and caramel. When used in baking, the 80-proof Jim Beam bourbon adds a unique flavor to cakes, cookies, and other desserts. 

4. 90-Proof Knob Creek Smoked Maple

Knob Creek Smoked Maple is a unique bourbon with rich and deep smoked maple flavor and notes of vanilla and caramel. The 90-proof bourbon helps to add depth and complexity to your baking, from cookies and cakes to pies and cobblers. 

3. 100-Proof Knob Creek

Are you looking for a little extra kick in your baking? Knob Creek 100-proof bourbon has a bold, intense flavor that can stand up in baked goods. Notes of oak and vanilla make it particularly well-suited for recipes like bourbon pecan pie or chocolate bourbon cake.

Whether making a traditional vanilla cake or something a little more adventurous, 100-proof Knob Creek will take your baking to the next level. 

2. 90-Proof Maker’s Mark

If you’re looking for a unique twist on your favorite recipes, try using 90-proof Maker’s Mark for baking. Since this bourbon uses wheat instead of rye [1], it has a distinct sweetness and spice that can enhance the taste of your food. 

Maker’s Mark bourbon is also great for sweet baked goods because it has a rich flavor that adds a unique depth of taste to any baked goods. 

1. 80-Proof Old Grand-Dad

80-Proof Old Grand-Dad can be the ticket to adding a unique way to add extra flavor to your baking. This bold bourbon has tasting notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel, making it a perfect addition to cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats. It will give your baked goods a delicious depth of flavor. 

5 Bourbons Best For Baking Pecan Pies

1. Old Grand-Dad 114

There’s nothing like the smell of fresh-baked pies wafting through the kitchen. And when those pies are made with Old Grand-Dad 114, they’re sure to be extra special. 

This bourbon has a rich, flavorful taste that is perfect for baking. The notes of vanilla and caramel will complement the flavors of the pecan pies. 

2. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon is one of the best bourbons for baking pecan pies. The tasting notes include vanilla, caramel, and oak flavors, making them a perfect complement to any baking recipe. 

Also, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof has a deep, rich flavor that enhances the taste of pecans and brings out the sweetness of the filling. 

3. Wild Turkey 101

Wild Turkey 101 is a great choice for pecan pies because it adds a depth of flavor that enhances the sweetness of pecan pie.

The tasting notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak are just right for complementing the sweetness of the pie filling. Also, the high-proof liquor won’t get lost in the recipe. 

Read: Popular Whiskeys On Joe Rogan’s Podcast

4. Rittenhouse 100

Rittenhouse 100 is a straight rye whiskey often praised for its baking capabilities. Its tasting notes include hints of vanilla, nutmeg, cocoa, citrus, caramel, and oak, making it the perfect addition to any pecan pie recipe. 

When it comes to baking, Rittenhouse 100 delivers on flavor and texture. It adds a richness and depth of flavor that takes pecan pies to the next level.

Read: Our Favorite Liquors For Hot Choco

5. Old Overholt 

Old Overholt is a high-proof rye whiskey that adds a delicious depth of flavor to baked goods.

When used in pecan pies, it brings out the nuttiness of the pecans and helps balance the sweetness of the filling. The high proof means it won’t bake off, so your pie will be packed with flavor. 

Read: Penelope Bourbon Review & Guide

Popular Bourbon Dessert Recipes 

Double Dark Chocolate Bourbon Brownies 

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hr and 39 minutes

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp dark chocolate cocoa powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 4 oz chopped dark chocolate
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tbsp bourbon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 

Instructions: 

Mix the sifted dry ingredients in a small bowl, then set aside. Combine dark chocolate and butter in a saucepan and melt over low heat until smooth. 

Remove the mixture from heat, then mix in the dark brown sugar, eggs, bourbon, and vanilla.

Combine the dry and wet ingredients and pour the batter into the baking pan. Bake for 22 to 24 minutes, then let it cool. 

Serving: 32 pieces

Read: Popular Bourbons For Vanilla Extract

Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours and 55 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup pecans (finely chopped)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup graham cracks (crumbs)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 egg yolk and two eggs beaten
• 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree
• ½ tsp cinnamon 
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp ginger
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 ½ cream cheese
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp bourbon whiskey
• ⅛ cup sour cream 

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine pecans, flour, graham crackers, butter, and egg yolk, press onto the bottom of the springform pan, and bake for 10 minutes. Mix the pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, eggs, nutmeg, salt, and ginger, then set aside. 

Beat the cream cheese, maple syrup, sour cream, pumpkin mixture, and bourbon with an electric mixer, then pour it on the prebaked crust. Bake for 70 minutes, then set aside. Combine sour cream, bourbon, and sugar in a bowl, then spread over the cooled cheesecake. 

Bake for another 10 minutes, rest for 15 minutes, then refrigerate for 3 hours before serving. 

Serving: 9 slices

FAQs 

What does bourbon do in baking?

Bourbon does a great job of complementing and enhancing the flavor of baked goods.

The flavor profile of the bourbon also gives a creative twist, mows out the food’s intense flavor, and leaves a spiced finish. But what’s the best bourbon for cooking?

Does bourbon cake have alcohol in it?

Yes, bourbon cake has alcohol in it because it contains alcohol in its ingredients. Contrary to the belief that alcohol evaporates when baking or cooking, some amount of alcohol remains depending on the baking time and pan size [2]. 

Conclusion

80-Proof Old Grand-Dad is the best bourbon for baking because it adds a unique flavor to baked goods that other liquor can’t replicate with any other alcohol. The best bourbon for baking should be high-proof and has a strong flavor profile that will not get lost easily. 

When baking with bourbon, there are a few things to remember. Choose a bourbon that has a high proof, rich and flavorful taste. But you want to be careful not to overdo it because a bit of bourbon goes a long way in baking. 

Reference:

1. https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/why-the-best-bourbons-start-with-wheat-not-rye-20150618/
2. https://greatist.com/eat/does-cooking-alcohol-really-burn-it-all-off#1