Desserts

Cranberry and Almond Irish Whiskey Cake

Cranberry and Almond Irish Whiskey Cake

    cake

  • 1 cup (250 mL) dried cranberries
  • 1 cup (250 mL) raisins
  • 2 Tbsp (25 mL) grated lemon zest
  • 2 Tbsp (25 mL) grated orange zest
  • 1 cup (250 mL) Irish whiskey
  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) butter, softened
  • 1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
  • 3 eggs, separated
  • 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) cake-and-pastry flour
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cloves
  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) chopped almonds

Irish Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups (500 mL) heavy cream (35%)
  • ¼ cup (50 mL) Irish Cream liqueur
  • ¼ cup (50 mL) confectioner’s sugar
  • ½ tsp (2 mL) cinnamon

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Makes 12 servings

At nearly 80 proof this is one feisty confection. The addition of whiskey makes it unbelievably moist and gives it boozy super powers, meaning an almost indefinite shelf life. If you have time, make this up to a month ahead of time and bathe it with 1∕4 cup (50 mL) of whiskey once a week. By the time St. Paddy’s Day rolls around it’ll be perfectly pickled.

  1. Combine cranberries, raisins, citrus zest and 1∕2 cup (125 mL) whiskey in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°f (170°c). Butter and flour a 9-inch (23-cm) bundt pan.
  3. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition, until completely incorporated.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add to egg mixture and beat quickly until combined. Stir in cranberry mixture.
  5. In another clean bowl, whisk egg whites until stiff. Fold into batter with almonds and pour into prepared pan. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack before pouring remaining 1/2 cup (125 mL) whiskey over cake. Serve with Irish whipped cream.
  6. To make the whipped cream, combine cream, liqueur, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl and beat with electric mixer until soft peaks form.