All it takes is a splash or two of your favorite grown-up drink to turn a tasty treat into a luxurious adult-only delight. And I’m not just talking about a dessert cocktail! From summery prosecco pops to rum-infused snickerdoodles, you won’t have trouble finding something to enjoy. No matter the occasion, there’s a boozy dessert here that will have you and your friends grinning from ear to ear.
1. Moscato Cupcakes
Are you throwing a bridal shower or need some sweets for Valentine’s Day? These pretty pink cupcakes will be a sure-fire hit. The fluffy vanilla cupcakes and buttercream frosting have an infusion of bright Moscato, which is a sweet Italian dessert wine. Of course, if you really want to get the party started, you’ll need one of these stunning pink cocktails to match.
2. Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chunk Blondies
From holidays to random Tuesdays, everyone needs these beautiful bourbon blondies in their life. Each warm, chewy square has chunks of melty chocolate and buttery pecans for added crunch. They’re rich, fudgy, and simply to die for. Although it’s tempting to speed up the process and skip the brown butter, I implore you not to rush. Brown butter makes these even more irresistible.
3. Bourbon Bacon Skillet S’mores
Send the kids to bed and gather around the campfire because it’s time for some adult s’mores. The contrast between sweet and salty is a stellar match, but adding bourbon to the mix is a stroke of genius. If you can’t have a campfire, fear not – you can also bake this skillet in the oven.
4. Pomegranate Champagne Sorbet
Whether you’re toasting the New Year or to the bride and groom, this sorbet is a phenomenal pick for celebrations. Now, I know what you’re thinking: you can’t freeze alcohol! Yes, you’re right. That’s why you’ll cook the ingredients first. You’ll also need an ice cream maker, so keep that in mind.
5. Margarita Macarons
These electrifying macarons will be a fun addition to your next summer BBQ. Like all macarons, they take quite a bit of time and are a little tedious to make. However, one bite of the margarita buttercream will make it worth your while. Oh, and don’t forget to make a batch of real margaritas to go along with it! Who needs coffee?
6. Banana Bourbon Cupcakes
Banana desserts have a cult following, kind of like pumpkin spice does. Only banana treats are fruitier and often far sweeter than the fall-fave. That’s why I love them so much! Mashed bananas sweeten up these vanilla cupcakes in the most delightful way. And it gets even better with the bourbon buttercream frosting and bourbon chocolate ganache. That’s right, double bourbon goodness! Even the biggest banana dessert cynics won’t be able to resist.
7. Peach Sangria Popsicles
If you’re not adding booze to your homemade popsicles, you’re really missing out! It makes lazy days by the pool that little bit more relaxing. These bright sangria popsicles have a double shot of alcohol in the form of Grand Marnier and white wine. And in true sangria fashion, there are also juicy bits of fruit frozen inside. These eight-ingredient popsicles require minimal effort. The hardest part, however, is waiting for them to freeze.
8. Beeramisu
I love this cake! It’s got all the decadent features that typically come with this exquisite Italian dessert. Ladyfingers? Check. Creamy mascarpone cheese and espresso powder? Double-check. The one thing this recipe does differently is add in a malty oatmeal stout. It’s deeply flavorful and so good, you’ll absolutely want seconds.
9. Boozy Oreo Milkshake
This nostalgic treat will make you feel like a kid all over again, but with one exception – there’s booze in the mix. This frosty cold shake is overflowing with Oreo cookies and Godiva chocolate liqueur. Cold, creamy, and insanely chocolatey, this is pretty much the only ice cream cocktail recipe you’ll ever need! I like mine with chocolate ice cream to double the fun, but vanilla will keep things sweet.
10. Brown Butter Rum Cannoli
These may not be traditional, but I bet even Nonna will reach for a second once she gets a taste of these cannolis. I love the contrast of textures between the crunchy shells and cream filling. Plus, it’s made even easier with store-bought, oven-baked wonton wrappers for cannoli shells. But who am I kidding? It’s all about the divine brown butter rum in the filling.
11. Guinness, Whiskey, and Irish Cream Cupcakes
Do St. Patty’s Day right this year and celebrate with not one but three classic Irish drinks. Of course, they’re in cupcake form, so you’ll want to make extra! These babies are slightly less messy than your average carb bomb, but they’ve got all the booze and then some. Inside the moist chocolate and Guinness cupcakes is a sensational Jameson’s ganache. But the boozy offerings don’t end there because there’s even a topping of Bailey’s frosting. Since you’ll have some extra alcohol leftover, I say mix up an Irish cocktail to serve alongside.
12. Baileys Chocolate Truffles
I think these truffles would make excellent holiday gifts. Not only are they easy to whip up, but they don’t take a lot to wrap either. Just pop them in a cute box or festive bag, and they’re good to go. The bittersweet confections are spiked with Baileys to make them extra creamy and chocolatey. If that weren’t yummy enough, there are four different types of coatings to choose from, including powdered sugar, nuts, coconut, and chocolate.
13. Red Wine Chocolate Cake with Blackberries
On the hunt for the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert? Nothing says “I love you” more than a thick slice of this luscious red wine-infused chocolate cake. The moist, rich chocolate cake is already tempting enough. But when you add a glug of red wine and a decadent chocolate buttercream, it becomes downright seductive. Oh, and the juicy blackberries give this a dreamy sweet layer of flavor that will leave you wanting more.
14. Champagne Cupcakes with Champagne Buttercream
Be it book club, girl’s night, game day, or Sunday brunch; these champagne cupcakes are always a welcome sight. This glamorous boozy dessert is less involved than some and has a double round of champagne. So go on, be a lush with your friends. You’ve all earned it!
15. Spiced Pumpkin Bourbon Tiramisu
It was only a matter of time before our love for all things pumpkin spice turned into a boozy treat. And nothing goes better with this fall fave than sweet, warming bourbon. If you’re a pumpkin spice latte lover, you’ll want to make this asap! The creamy coffee and cocoa flavors of tiramisu pair perfectly with pumpkin, and the added bourbon gives the whole thing a hint of grown-up goodness.
16. Baileys Affogato
I have to admit that I’ve been a little extra indulgent lately – but I blame this irresistible affogato recipe! You’ll make it just like a regular affogato by pouring a shot of warm espresso over sweet vanilla ice cream. Only since this is adult-only you’ll also add some Baileys too. How dangerously easy is that? To make it more Italian, use gelato instead of ice cream.
17. Rosé Poached Pears
Remember when rosé was in pretty much everything? Well, I say bring it back with these elegant poached pears. You’ll simmer pears in an entire bottle of rosé with some cinnamon and sugar until they come out fork-tender. Then to serve, keep it light with a dollop of whipped cream or make it even more indulgent with a scoop of ice cream.
18. Black Forest Cake
Black forest cake is the kind of decadent dessert you only see in restaurants. But I think you should make it the star of your next dinner party. It’s a rich show-stopper that looks just as good as it tastes. Like most versions, this chocolate sponge cake features layers of vanilla whipped cream and juicy cherries. The secret, though, is that the cherries are drunk with rum. Another dark liquor like bourbon will do the trick if you don’t have rum.
19. Raspberry Prosecco Popsicle
Need something refreshing for an afternoon pick-me-up? Go with these boozy pops. They’re a fun and fruity blend of raspberry sauce and Italian sparkling wine. They’re also ridiculously easy to throw together! The only downside is that you have to freeze them overnight. So, make a double batch; that way, you’ll have some ready to go the next time that craving hits.
20. Rum Eggnog Snickerdoodles
When the holidays get stressful, I like to take a breather with one of these cookies. These adult snickerdoodles nix the cinnamon for nutmeg and call for some pre-made eggnog mix. Rather than use hard alcohol, you’ll use a rum extract for an extra kick. These cookies only take 20 minutes, and I like to double up on the recipe. That way, I can freeze some for myself and have some on hand for last-minute company.
21. Piña Colada Cupcakes
A tropical vacation may be out of the question these days, but these cupcakes aren’t. Full of signature piña colada flavors, including coconut rum and pineapple juice, they’re the best way to bring the tropics home. I love the extra bits of juicy pineapple and coconut flakes in the batter. Meanwhile, the four-ingredient coconut rum frosting is the perfect touch.
22. Caramel Bourbon Vanilla Cupcakes
You’ve probably realized by now that cupcakes are incredible when you spike them with booze. So, here’s one more of my personal favorites that I know you’ll want to make again and again. The warming flavors of bourbon, cinnamon, and brown sugar in each fluffy cupcake is beyond alluring. Add in the frosting and drizzle of caramel to make them even more enticing. While the directions don’t call for it, I think you could even add a splash of bourbon to the frosting too.
23. Tequila Lime Cheesecake Bars
Nothing gets the party started like these cheesecake bars and a round of shots! Even when you can’t do the latter, these bars are a must-make. While they may look extravagant, they’re surprisingly easy to make. You’ll use a Graham Cracker crumb crust and top it with a thick layer of sweet cream cheese. How sweet you want these bars to be is up to you, but the tequila, lime, and Cointreau are non-negotiable.
24. Piña Colada Italian Ice Pops
Now, this is my idea of beating the summer heat! These 20-minute pops are a piña colada lover’s dream. All you need to do is combine pineapple with coconut milk and a hint of lime. Of course, since this is an adult popsicle, you’ll pour some coconut rum in there too! Freeze the mix in a fun popsicle mold, and add a few extra pineapple bits for some yummy texture.
25. Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Whiskey Cream Sauce
This whiskey cream sauce alone is enough to grab a fork and dig in. That said, the pumpkin spiced cinnamon swirl bread is just as delicious. Pumpkin lovers will also be happy to hear there’s some pumpkin puree in the mix too. Come Thanksgiving; this will be everyone’s new favorite treat.
26. Bourbon Buttermilk Pie
This alcohol-infused pie has a unique filling that’s lavishly custardy. It’s the kind of pie you’ll want to enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon with a hot cup of coffee (with or without bourbon). The buttermilk gives it a slightly tangy flavor that melds with the warmth of cinnamon and the smoothness of bourbon. It’s part humble, part cozy, and just the right amount of booze.
27. Boozy Blueberry Pancake Milkshake
The next time you get a cheat day, I say splurge with these boozy milkshakes. This recipe busts out all the stops with blueberry syrup, maple syrup, and blueberry vodka. There’s even a drizzle of butter extract for the final pancake effect. You could even make this a vegan dessert with homemade dairy-free ice cream and dairy-free milk. The hardest part is deciding whether to have this for breakfast or dessert.
28. Red Wine Brownies
Between the red wine and fudgy chocolate, these brownies are intoxicating. The chocolate chunks and cocoa powder make it very chocolatey, so you might want to start with a small slice. Use good quality wine and chocolate for the best results, and avoid overcooking. The chewier, the better!
29. Champagne Cake Roll
This special champagne cake roll is versatile enough for holidays, birthdays, parties, and more. It’s a classy take on sponge cake that’s airy, sweet, and overflowing with champagne. Rolling the cool cake can be a little tricky, so give it a preemptive roll while it’s still warm.
30. Frozen Margarita Tart
Cocktail or dessert, you say margarita, and I say yes, please! I love margaritas, so this whimsical tart has me doing a happy dance. The pretzel crust is like salt on a margarita glass, while the filling is all tequila, lime, and cream. Well, not actual cream. This tart is vegan, so it uses coconut milk. But it’s every bit as rich and creamy as it looks. I also love that the recipe calls for agave to sweeten so there’s no extra refined sugar in sight. Click on a star to rate it!
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