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Jorge and I were in Seattleย recently, and one of our favorite dessert spots was Hot Cakes in Ballard. ย Located on an adorable tree-lined street, Hot Cakes is known for it’s molten chocolate cakes and boozy milkshakes. ย While I certainly enjoyed the Peanut Butter Cup molten cake that Jorge ordered, myย favoriteย bite (or sip) of the evening was a milkshake made with local vanilla ice cream, extra dark caramel, espresso and rye. ย This thing was to. die. for. ย Topped with a cloud of whipped cream flecked with fleur de sel, this shake was sweet and salty with deep, dark notes of caramel and bourbon. ย As we left Hot Cakes that evening, I just knew I had to try making my own version at home.
This Candy Bourbon Milkshake is my adaptation. ย The recipe starts with some homemade bourbon caramel sauce. ย Sugar and water are cooked to a deep, deep caramel, then cut with rich, heavy cream. ย After the caramel eruption subsides, ย smoky bourbon is added. ย I used Woodford Reserve here because it has notes of vanilla and honey. ย This bourbon caramel sauce is then blended with vanilla ice cream, brewed espresso andย more bourbon. ย I decided to also throw some candy into the mix, because Halloween is coming, and this is a perfect use up for leftover candy. ย You can certainly omit the candy if you like, but it’s a fun twist. ย The milkshake is then finished with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkling of crunchy sea salt. ย So. yum. ย Continue reading for the recipe.
The flavor of this milkshake will vary based on the type of candy added.ย I used Twix Fun Size here, and the resulting milkshake had a pleasant nuttiness with a chocolate undertone.ย You could also blend in Snickers, Milky Way, Almond Joy (one of my favorites), or KitKat.ย Candies with chocolate, nuts, caramel, salt or cookies will pair perfectly with the base flavors of vanilla, espresso and bourbon.ย Avoid fruit-flavored candies like Starburst, Nerds, Mike and Ike, and Laffy Taffy.
Candy Bourbon Milkshake
Ingredients
To make the salted bourbon caramel:
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup good quality bourbon (I used Woodford Reserve)
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt
To make the milkshake:
- 3 scoops good quality vanilla ice cream
- 1/4 cup brewed espresso, chilled (or strongly brewed coffee)
- 2 tablespoons good quality bourbon (I used Woodford Reserve)
- 1 tablespoon salted bourbon caramel, recipe below
- 2 small candy bars, chopped (I used Twix Fun Size, but many others would work well here)
Whipped cream, for topping
Flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Add sugar, water, and corn syrup to a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, clamp on a lid, and cook for 6 minutes. Remove the lid and check the color and texture of your caramel. It should still be clear, and the bubbles should be large. Continue to cook with the lid off. As the mixture starts to brown and darken in color, gently swirl the pan to mix. Do not stir here. Once the mixture is a dark amber color (not black), take the saucepan off the heat, and carefully add the heavy cream. The mixture will violently bubble up. Let the caramel settle for 1 minute, then stir in the bourbon and flaky sea salt. If the caramel has seized up a bit (hardened), simply return the saucepan to a low flame, and stir just until the mixture smooths out. Let mixture cool completely before adding to the milkshake. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Add ice cream, chilled espresso, bourbon, 1 tablespoon salted bourbon caramel, and chopped candy bars to a blender, and blend until smooth and well combined. The texture should be thick, but still very drinkable.
- Pour milkshake into a chilled glass, then top with a dollop of whipped cream, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Related recipes and articles:
Coffee and Rum Milkshake with Salty Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans
9 Best Boozy Milkshakes in America
Happy Hour Hot Fudge Milkshake
Blueberry Oatmeal Crisp with Bourbon Caramel
5
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Omg that looks amazing, Brandon! Pinned! Twix, bourbon, caramel. I am in heaven!
Remember in your last post when you asked about smoothies and reader faves? Ok seeing what you just made reminds me of this ice cream I made over the summer which could easily be made as a smoothie/milkshake.
http://www.averiecooks.com/2013/07/no-ice-cream-maker-salted-caramel-bourbon-nutter-butter-and-chocolate-chunk-ice-cream.html
Your salted bourbon caramel sounds amazing. Start selling it. I’m buying!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Averie! Yeah I remember that ice cream. Looks sooo good!
Allie says
Love this! I’ve been on a Twix crave, so I’m excited to try these shakes ๐
Brandon Matzek says
Yeah, I’m always on a Twix crave ๐
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Amazing!! And now I have a huge craving for this deliciousness ๐
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Kiran ๐
sippitysup says
Not a Savory Cocktail, but set ’em up Joe, err I mean Brandon. GREG
Brandon Matzek says
Haha thanks Greg! PS. I am going to try out your “Better with Bacon” cocktail soon. I’ve ordered an eye dropper so I can properly measure the liquid smoke.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
Ummmmm. DAMN! This looks wonderful!
Brandon Matzek says
Haha, thanks Brian!
Sasha says
Oh my gosh – this looks so luxurious and sinful, I love it. Twix is my favorite candy!!
Brandon Matzek says
I do love a good twix ๐ Thanks!
aida mollenkamp says
I fear ever trying this because I could see it easily becoming a very regular habit!
Brandon Matzek says
Yeah, and it’s definitely dangerous having leftover bourbon caramel in the fridge!
Puja @ Indiaphile.info says
This looks so yummy! ๐
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Puja ๐
J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats says
This is fantastic. Too bad my leftover candies are never the chocolate bars but instead the crappy candy corn and anything liquorice ๐
Brandon Matzek says
Haha thanks!! Well definitely do NOT add those kinds of candy to this shake. Licorice is my least favorite -_-
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
Looks very yummy and decadent! I’m glad you got to visit Seattle. I haven’t been to that place in Ballard, but the boozy milkshakes at Dilettante on Capitol Hill are pretty fine!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Mary. You should definitely give it a try. And I’ll have to go to Dilettante the next time I am in the area!
Coty and Mariah says
This would be perfect for a fall get together! Um, Yum!