Baking with alcohol?

[blastkiss]

Well, I have a party on Friday and I'd like to take along some snacks with a kick, if you know what I mean!
I was thinking specifically of making chocolate chip muffins, but with brandy perhaps? I'm just scared of what will happen if I throw in too much brandy, like will it catch fire in the oven or something strange like that...?
Also, has anyone ever tried baking with tequila or vodka? I'm curious as to what that'll taste like...

[FauxChina]

Rum balls!  I know they are more of a christmassy treat, but yum!  I've never baked with booze, I've baked while drinking which really isn't recommended though or the oven will catch fire.  Baking with tequila, I think it would be best in a citrusy treat, although tequila is pretty pricey to be baking with. 

Margarita Mousse
 
  Try the zing of a Margarita, softened with cream and eggs, as a fashionable and delicious dessert for a special dinner.


3 eggs, separated
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
1/3 cup (75 ml) lime juice
1/4 cup (50 ml) tequila
1/4 cup (50 ml) orange flavoured liqueur such
as triple sec or Cointreau
1 tbsp (15 ml) gelatin
2 tsp (10 ml) grated lime rind
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) whipping cream

Garnish:

1/2 cup (125 ml) whipping cream


1. Place a large heavy metal bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, making sure the base does not touch the water. Add egg yolks, 3/4 cup (175 ml) sugar and lime juice to bowl. Whisk together with electric beaters. Continue to beat until mixture triples in volume and is thick enough to hold a ribbon (about six minutes). Remove from heat and beat until cool, about two minutes.

2. Place tequila and triple sec in a small pot and sprinkle over gelatin. Stir together on low heat until liquid. Remove from heat and stir into mousse mixture along with lime rind.

3. Whip whipping cream until soft peaks form. Fold into mousse mixture. Place in bowl in refrigerator and stir occasionally until mixture is just beginning to set, about 20 minutes.

4. With an electric mixer beat egg whites together with the remaining 1/4 cup (50 ml) sugar until stiff peaks form when the beater is lifted from the mixture. Stir one quarter of egg whites into cream mixture to lighten it. Fold in remaining whites. Spoon into serving bowl.

5. Chill for four hours or overnight. Whip cream and garnish top of mousse.

Serves 6 to 8


I found that recipe on www.lcbo.ca under food & drinks.  I just typed in tequila and checked the desserts box

[TessTessi]

I love making this: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=55073.0   (chocolate raspberry decadence)  for parties. It's not baked, but it does involve raspberry schnapps!!

[ninosgirl]

No it will not catch on fire. If you put too much liquid of any kind your treats will not turn out. Also, i have never baked with vodka or tequila. Im sure vodka wouldnt taste good in a baked good but maybe with the right recipe tequiila would.

[watermarktear]

 If you're looking to bring a dessert with a kick, I'd suggest not bringing anything that is baked. Alchahol burns off when used in baked goods and etc so you'll be left with just the flavour. I'm guessing from your post you were looking for a bit more then flavour.

[Cheebz]

I LOVE this whiskey cake recipe. I used chocolate coffee for extra sweetness and made a whiskey glaze to go on top. I'm sure you could use rum or even a liqueur if you wanted. I'm also a big fan of bourbon balls.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05069/468718.stm

[cataway]

Jello shooters!  Ther's always room for jello

[yarnhag]

totally simple recipe with a definite kick:  (a birthday party favourite in university residence ;-)

crumb crust (graham or oreo or mixed)
three blocks of cream cheese, softened a bit (to room temp)
a small bottle (12 oz?) of creamy liqueur (like tequila rose, bailies, amarula, etc).

mix the booze in with the cream cheese.  Poor it into the pie shell.  Do not bake -- that cooks out the alcohol!  Refrigerate till firm. 

eat.  go out dancing.

[amaerin]

I second the rum balls- yum!  You definately don't want to use any recipe that calls for heating your beverage of choice.  That'd be a waste of good liquor!   

Here's a rum ball recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Rum-or-Bourbon-Balls/Detail.aspx

If you really want to get people tipsy, get yourself a watermelon and a bottle of vodka.  Cut a hole in the top of the watermelon large enough for the neck of the bottle.  Stick it upside down in the hole, leave it in the fridge for a night or two or three... cut the watermelon into pieces and share some nice, fresh fruit with your friends.  Be careful, because it'll definately have some kick...

[blastkiss]

Thanks for all the help, guys! I really appreciate it!

I second the rum balls- yum!  You definately don't want to use any recipe that calls for heating your beverage of choice.  That'd be a waste of good liquor!   

Here's a rum ball recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Rum-or-Bourbon-Balls/Detail.aspx

If you really want to get people tipsy, get yourself a watermelon and a bottle of vodka.  Cut a hole in the top of the watermelon large enough for the neck of the bottle.  Stick it upside down in the hole, leave it in the fridge for a night or two or three... cut the watermelon into pieces and share some nice, fresh fruit with your friends.  Be careful, because it'll definately have some kick...

I love the watermelon idea! That'll work so well at summer parties! And thanks for the rum balls recipe, I have never heard of that! Is it really necessary to store it for a week before serving?

totally simple recipe with a definite kick:  (a birthday party favourite in university residence ;-)

crumb crust (graham or oreo or mixed)
three blocks of cream cheese, softened a bit (to room temp)
a small bottle (12 oz?) of creamy liqueur (like tequila rose, bailies, amarula, etc).

mix the booze in with the cream cheese.  Poor it into the pie shell.  Do not bake -- that cooks out the alcohol!  Refrigerate till firm. 

eat.  go out dancing.

I love this suggestion so much too! It sounds really nice!

[fsuangelita]

If you really want to get people tipsy, get yourself a watermelon and a bottle of vodka.  Cut a hole in the top of the watermelon large enough for the neck of the bottle.  Stick it upside down in the hole, leave it in the fridge for a night or two or three... cut the watermelon into pieces and share some nice, fresh fruit with your friends.  Be careful, because it'll definately have some kick...

that's what my friends and i do all the time!!!! only we usually hollow out part of the watermelon and throw in some mixed fresh fruit before adding the alcohol (strawberries, pineapple, canteloupe, etc).  rum works well with this, too... and coconut rum gives it an extra-nice flavor.

[CraftyChef]

If you wanted to do the baking part, you can make a sponge cake, soak slices in wine (or liqueur, and more of a dipping than a soak, otherwise it'll fall apart), and mix some ricotta with sugar syrup, chocolate chunks, small dried fruits and nuts and make a layered dealie. Smush it down a bit and let it sit. It's heavenly.

[amaerin]

 And thanks for the rum balls recipe, I have never heard of that! Is it really necessary to store it for a week before serving?

They're better if you let them sit a while, because they get stronger as they sit, and the flavor develops.

Have fun at your party!