Amplify The Flavor Of Your Brownies With A Splash Of Bourbon

Chances are you may have tasted a baked good or sweet that was elevated by hints of bourbon — we're looking at you, bourbon pecan pie and bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup. But have you tried adding a touch of bourbon when making brownie batter? We have, and the result is a tray of decadently rich fudgy brownies with an amplified, deep chocolate flavor.

Bourbon is known for its complex flavor profile with notes of nuttiness, vanilla, caramel, and warm spice. When added to chocolate treats like brownies, the spirit acts in a similar way to vanilla: It brightens the chocolate by rounding out some of the bitterness and acidity found in cocoa powder and melted baking chocolate. Along with other complementary ingredients like salt, bourbon makes brownies taste sweeter, richer, and more chocolaty.

To harness the flavor benefits of bourbon and chocolate, you don't need to add much of this booze to your brownies. You can add it along with the other wet ingredients, in addition to or in place of your vanilla extract. Simply use a tablespoon of your favorite bourbon — or add up to 2 or 3 tablespoons if you want to make the boozy flavor more pronounced.

Bourbon and chocolate as a flavor pairing is nothing new. Go to any distillery and it's likely they have some dark chocolate on hand to accompany tastings. Plus, if you've ever had a bourbon-filled chocolate bon bon, you know what we're talking about. And the fact that bourbon accentuates chocolate's flavors like vanilla does is also no coincidence. In addition to the overall caramelized, full-bodied flavor of bourbon, the spirit actually contains vanillin, the main flavor compound that makes vanilla taste, well, like vanilla. These flavor compounds are transferred from the oak barrels to the spirit as it ages.

Vanillin has a signature creaminess and brightness that makes it a prime flavor enhancer. This is why vanilla extract is added to cookies, cakes, and, of course, brownies. When bourbon is added to the mix, vanilla's flavor-boosting qualities are intensified (along with the other spiced notes and warm characteristics in bourbon), resulting in super chocolaty, rich brownies with a spirited lift.

When adding bourbon to your next batch of brownies, it can help to think about complimentary flavor profiles. Bourbon is similar to wine in that its flavors can be nuanced, varied, and complex from bottle to bottle or brand to brand. While there certainly are ways to determine the best bourbon for baking depending on the application, pouring your favorite kind into your brownie batter is likely a safe bet.

If you do have time to pick up a bourbon for brownie-baking, consult the staff at your local liquor store to find a bottle with unique tasting notes that pairs well with chocolate. The employees are likely knowledgeable about not only the differences between bourbon and whiskey, but the variations between bourbons as well. For instance, hints of orange and spice in your bourbon could give your brownies a nice holiday boost, while subtle cinnamon notes could give serious Mexican hot chocolate vibes. 

As for what else to include, look to other bourbon-infused foods for inspiration. Give a nod to bourbon pecan pie by mixing pecans and chocolate chips into the batter. Add whole or chopped pecans or hazelnuts on top for extra crunch and appearance, then pop your brownies in the oven. Maple and bourbon are also a tried-and-true match, so why not create a bourbon maple drizzle to top the baked chocolate treat?

And of course, you can add bourbon to a boxed brownie mix for a simple way to make it taste more homemade. Before mixing bourbon in, do note that only a portion of the alcohol will bake off while your tray of brownies is in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. This shouldn't be too much of a problem if you're adding a minimal amount, but you'll still want to notify friends of the potential alcohol content.