We might be keeping to our kitchens, living rooms, and back gardens this weekend, but there are two bank holiday essentials we won’t have to miss out on: baking and booze. What better way to celebrate the occasion than by combining the two? Here, we’ve gathered 8 of our favourite boozy bakes to help make sure your bank holiday staycation is as merry as can be. From 6-minute Pimm’s cupcakes to a showstopping red wine layer cake, there’s a bake-based tipple to suit every mood. So, read on – and chin-chin!
Pimm's Layer Cake from Wicked Cupcakes by Luisa Zissman
This stunning layer cake combines Pimm's-scented sponge with four kinds of Pimm's-inspired buttercream. Its sweet, delicate, and refreshing flavours are ideal for a picnic or barbecue.
Get your copy of Wicked Cupcakes here.
Gin and Tonic Cupcakes from Primrose Bakery Celebrations by Martha Swift & Lisa Thomas
When it comes to iconic British summertime tipples, gin and tonic is second only to Pimm's. This recipe from Primrose Bakery takes the zingy flavour of a G&T and puts it into a luxurious cupcake.
Get your copy of Primrose Bakery Celebrations here.
Chocolate, Brandy & Ginger Cheesecake from Mary Berry's Baking Bible by Mary Berry
Mary Berry can always be counted on for a crowd-pleasingly boozy dessert. This cheesecake combines rich chocolate, spicy stem ginger, and a generous amount of brandy.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's Baking Bible here.
Butter Rum Cake from Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen: Delicious feelgood cooking from the sunshine islands by Ainsley Harriott
This rum-soaked cake is inspired by the flavours of the Caribbean – it's made with walnuts and dark rum, and is finished off with a generous amount of rum and butter syrup.
Get your copy of Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen here.
Mojito Marshmallows from Marshmallow Magic by Genevieve Taylor
These light and fluffy marshmallows are full of classic mojito flavours – zesty lime, cool mint, and rum. They make for a sweet and refreshing end to an al fresco meal.
Get your copy of Marshmallow Magic here.
Red Wine Velvet Cake with Whipped Mascarpone from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook by Deb Perelman
This is a sophisticated, grown-up version of the classic red velvet cake. It uses red wine, rather than food dye, to turn the chocolate sponge a deep burgundy colour, and it's layered up with lashings of whipped mascarpone.
Get your copy of The Smitten Kitchen here.
Pimm's Cupcakes from Six-Minute Showstoppers by Sarah Rainey
These miraculous little cakes can be ready in just six minutes, meaning they're ideal for those occasions when you need a boozy sweet treat in a hurry (i.e. every occasion).
From the book
Six-Minute Showstoppers
The ultimate guide to fuss-free, high-speed baking.
Packed with ingenious kitchen hacks and 100 delicious recipes.
Including stunning cakes, lavish desserts and tasty tea-time treats.
Banana, Coconut and Saffron Upside-Down Cake from The Modern Pantry bu Anna Hansen
This decadent banana upside-down cake from The Modern Pantry is made with coconut, saffron and white wine. It has a wonderfully moist texture and a rich, complex flavour.
Get your copy of The Modern Pantry here.
