Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Irish Whiskey Cake ~ Pat's Recipe


It's recipes like this next one that inspire me to bake. This is actually an old photo from last December (before I started this blog), but I thought it timely to share with you now - well before holiday baking is vigorously underway!

Just as styles change from year to year, so too has the Irish Whiskey Cake's form. Initially a bundt cake... it's been served as a flat layer cake... cupcakes... mini cupcakes... I think I recall scones one year... large loaves... medium loaves... and most recently (and most popular I might add...) the small loaf form seen here.

The recipe appears in a cookbook assembled some 30+ years ago for The Lady Of Lords Hospital in Camden, NJ. It was an old family recipe submitted by Pat Friedman, a dear friend of my mothers who passed away soon after gifting the book.

This time of year my mom makes Pat's Irish Whiskey Cake in bulk - because wrapped beautifully - they make a wonderful gift!  Perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea, the cake freezes well and is nice to have on hand anytime of year!

The Irish Whiskey Cake is special to my family, was special to Pat and there's no question she'd be happy... I'm sharing her recipe with you!

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Irish Whiskey Cake

1 lb. Butter
2 cups sugar
6 eggs separated
¾ cup whiskey
4 cups flour
3 cups chopped pecans
1 lb. Golden raisins
Cinnamon or nutmeg

Cream butter and sugar. Add beaten egg yolks. Stir in whiskey alternately with sifted flour beating as you do. Fold in beaten egg whites . Stir in pecans and raisins. Sprinkle in cinnamon or nutmeg to taste. Bake at 250 degrees for 3 hours in a tube pan. Seal in airtight container in preparation for Christmas. Optional - Sprinkle with confectioners sugar when served.

(*These small loafs I made took 2 hours, 15 minutes to bake. Nice hot out of the oven, but delicious as is sits. Whiskey flavor intensifies with time!)

10 comments:

TheHealthyApron said...

Hmm never tried or heard of Irish Whiskey cake! WIll have to give it a go!

Clint said...

Oh, man! I can't believe the holiday season is almost here. Gotta get back to my diet!

Love the looks and sounds of that cake. Thanks for sharing.

Karen said...

Yummy cake! I love the big chunks of pecan in it and it looks so good and moist. I can see why it's a favorite!

Miss Meat and Potatoes said...

I am so glad you shared this. With six eggs AND whiskey I know this must be fantastic. And btw - why do I also have holiday baking on the brain?

Katerina said...

This is the best way to remember someone who ahs gone. This cake looks very moist and tasty.

Joanne said...

Alcohol always adds such a nice flavor to baked goods! I've never had a cake with whiskey before, but I have a feeling that won't be true by the time this holiday season is up. Looks delicious.

Simply Life said...

I've never seen that before- looks great!

Unknown said...

Oooohhh... this sounds so good! A friend of mine's mom used to make Irish Whiskey cake every Christmas..it was wonderful!

blackbookkitchendiaries said...

i cant wait to try this out for christmas:) it looks really yummy!

chow and chatter said...

yum adore recipes like this