Irish Whiskey Cake Recipe, other Irish Cakes and Irish Superstitions

The Irish whiskey cake recipe is the traditional wedding cake recipe. This rich fruitcake recipe is usually baked in three layers for a wedding cake recipe of Ireland. The top layer is generally kept for later consumption. This heavily fruited cake soaked with whiskey is best if baked months ahead of the wedding; it gets better with age.

The Irish whiskey cake recipe (or Irish wedding cake recipe) comes from the rich traditions surrounding the production of the whiskey distilleries. Irish whiskey was one of the oldest distilled drinks in Europe beginning in the twelfth century. There has been a big rivalry between the Irish and the Scottish when it comes to their whiskey. Irish whiskey comes from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley and other grains making it much lighter and neutral in flavor. When adding this alcohol to any recipe whether it is cakes, entrée, appetizers, desserts or cookies, it gives a subtle rather than strong accent to the taste.

The Irish culture is full of traditions and Irish superstitions especially when it comes to weddings. No true Irish couple would stray from this traditional Irish whiskey cake recipe or your marriage will go astray; same goes for serving corned beef and cabbage cooked just right. Other Irish traditions and Irish superstitions involve the betrothal ring (engagement ring) which is handed down from mother to daughter and just how it is worn. Many more superstitions from a man (not a woman) has to be the first to wish the bride best wishes to after the groom arrives at the church, the doors are locked because men are known for getting cold feet and running away to what a bride wears and the music that follows the wedding.

IRISH WHISKEY CAKE RECIPE

For 5 pounds of cake:

• 1 Cup seedless dark raisins


• 1 Cup light seedless raisins


• 1 Cup currants


• 3 Ounces candies lemon peel, chopped


• 3 Ounces candies orange peel, chopped


• 8 Ounces candied cherries, sliced


• 8 Ounces candied pineapple, sliced


• 8 Ounces citron, thinly sliced


• 1 Cup chopped pecans


• 1 Cup chopped blanched almonds


• 1/3 Cup flour, for dredging


• 1 1/3 Cups four, for mixing


• ¼ Teaspoon baking soda


• 1 Teaspoon cinnamon


• 1 Teaspoon allspice


• ¼ Teaspoon mace


• ¼ Teaspoon nutmeg


• 2/3 Cup butter


• 2/3 Cup firmly packed dark brown sugar


• 4 Eggs, separated


• 1/3 Cup molasses


• 3 Tablespoons apple juice


• 3 Tablespoons Irish whiskey


• 2/3 Cup strawberry preserves

IRISH WHISKEY CAKE RECIPE

This recipe is the same as above but for Irish wedding cake making 15 pounds.

• 1 Pound seedless light raisins


• 1 Pound seedless dark raisins


• 1 Pound currants


• 1 Cup candied lemon peel, chopped


• 1 Cup candied orange peel, chopped


• 1 ½ Pounds candied cherries, sliced


• 1 ½ Pounds candied pineapple, sliced


• 1 ½ Pounds citron, thinly sliced


• 1 Pound chopped pecans


• 1 Pound chopped blanched almonds


• 1 Cup flour for dredging


• 4 Cups flour for mixing


• 1 Teaspoon baking soda


• 3 Teaspoons cinnamon


• 3 Teaspoons allspice


• ¾ Teaspoon mace


• ¾ Teaspoon nutmeg


• 1 Pound soft butter


• 1 Pound dark brown sugar, firmly packed


• 12 Eggs, separated


• 1 Cup molasses


• ½ Cup apple juice


• ½ Cup Irish whiskey


• 2 Cups strawberry preserves

Irish whiskey cake instructions for both sizes:

Grease and line pans with wax paper cut to fit pans exactly so as to lay flat in the pans.

Preheat oven to 250F degrees. Set a small pan of water on lower rack to form a steam.

Prepare fruits and nuts by dredging in flour.

Sift remaining flour and measure; Sift flour again with soda and spices.

Cream butter, sugar and egg yolks until light and fluffy. Add molasses, apple juice, whiskey and strawberry preserves and blend well. Blend in the fruits and nuts. Fold in the sifted dry ingredients a little at a time.

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into the batter. Fill pans three fourths full.

Set pan on upper rack and bake 5 pound cake or less for 1 ½ hours; Cakes larger than 5 pounds bake for 2 ½ hours or until test done.

After cooling, remove cake from pan and remove wax paper.

While cake is still warm, drizzle with additional whiskey.

Wrap cooled cake in wax paper and store in airtight container.

The Irish whiskey cake can be decorated like any other wedding cake.

IRISH WHISKEY CAKE RECIPE

This fruitcake recipe is a smaller version and is baked in a Bundt cake pan.

• 1 ½ Cups walnuts


• ¼ Cup dark seedless raisins


• ¾ Cup golden raisins


• ¾ Cup currants


• ¾ Cup diced citron


• ¾ Cup diced candied orange peel


• ¾ Cup candied cherries halved


• ½ Cup Irish whiskey


• 1 Tablespoon molasses


• 1 Teaspoon grated lemon peel


• 2 Cups sifted all purpose flour


• ½ Teaspoon baking powder


• 1 Teaspoon salt


• 1 Teaspoon cinnamon


• ½ Teaspoon nutmeg


• ½ Teaspoon allspice


• ¾ Cup butter


• 1 Cup packed brown sugar


• 3 Eggs


• Powdered sugar


• Water


• Green food coloring


• Green decorator sugar


• Walnut halves

Chop walnuts coarsely and set aside.

Combine raisins, currants, candied fruit and peels with 1/3 cup whiskey and molasses; mix well, cover and let set overnight.

The next day sift flour with baking powder, salt and spices.

Cream butter and brown sugar; add eggs one at a time beating well after each.

Blend flour mixture into creamed mixture; add fruit and walnuts and mix well.

Turn into a well greased 9 inch Bundt cake pan.

Place shallow pan of hot water on oven floor; place cake pan on lowest shelf of oven.

Bake in preheated oven at 300F degrees for about 1 hour and 45 minutes or until cake tests done.

Cool 10 minutes in pan; invert cake on wire rack to cool.

Spoon remaining whiskey over cake slowly so it soaks in; cool cake completely.

Mix small amount of powdered sugar with enough water for pouring consistency.

Tint icing slightly with green food coloring and drizzle over cake; sprinkle with green sugar and arrange walnut halves on top.

Return to Irish Recipes from Irish Whiskey Cake
Return to Home Page from Irish Whiskey Cake