Caramel Pumpkin Bourbon Cake

  

Amazingly moist with just the right splash of bourbon for a cold or rainy January day.
Bottoms Up!

I found the basis for this recipe on My Mother's Apron Strings, a wonderful baking blog created by my friend, Susan.  I met Susan through her blog and the gift of her friendship has been one of the highlights of last year for me.  I used Susan's recipe for Caramel Pumpkin Pound Cake with Warm Caramel Sauce as my inspiration for this BIWB, bourbon-infused pound cake.   Friends in Baking: an amazing gift.

I changed Susan's recipe a bit and made a modification on the use of the sauce.  I decided that I wanted to make a bourbon-soaked cake, so I used the same recipe for soaking sauce as in my Almost Tortuga Rum Cake.  I also switched things up and used vanilla bean paste, again one of the BIWB secret ingredients.  I love this stuff! 

Thankfully, the Old Crow is almost gone...

On to the "real" stuff: Jim Beam!! 

Sharing this recipe over at Cake of the Week's Baking with Spirit Challenge for October: Autumnal!  Check out all the creative and boozy Baking with Spirit Challenges!

Carrot Rum Cupcakes with Coconut Rum Cream Cheese Frosting

 I've wanted to make a booze-infused goodie using one of the cake mixes I have squirreled away in my cupboard.  I generally don't get a chance to use mixes much anymore, but I'm a fan of their great flavor, ease of use, consistent results, texture, and adaptability.  They are the foundation of my Kahlua Cake and Jacqueline's Chocolate Orange Cupcakes.  So, here is my first attempt to take a basic box cake mix and add some booze.  EASY!  I think the result is one of my favorites.  And, this frosting is a coconut lover's dream!

Hard Cider Apple Pie

 Warm, crunchy, cinnamoney goodness all in one bite.  I just couldn't wait any longer to sample this last night.  I made this pie as my dad was coming over for dinner and to do some handy work.  He's a furniture/cabinet maker, and he made me a cabinet door which he installed after a very long wait.  Beautiful woodwork, rewarded by this beautiful Hard Cider Apple Pie.  My Dad is worth so much more!! 

I'm sharing this over at Cake of the Week's September Baking with Spirit Challenge: Cider!  Head on over there for a whole year of boozy baked goods!  Happy Fall!!

Cucidati, Italian X Cookies

Everything just seems better when there are Sprinkles!!

Pin It  Soft pockets of sweet dough surrounding moist fig filling full of complex flavors.  All this in a cookie?  If you've been following BIWB, you know that this is the cookie that started it all for me on this blog idea.  I made these last year, for the very first time, at Christmas.  I did the same again this year.  Winner!  I make ~literally~ a TON of xmas cookies each year for friends and family.  These cucidati I make for myself.  These are MY Christmas tradition.