Tennessee Whiskey Cake

Modified from Everyday with Rachael Ray

1 stick (4 oz) unsalted butter, softened [Remember in baking salt content will matter, so make sure to get unsalted.]

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup molasses

1/4 cup Tennessee whiskey [they recommended Jack Daniels, we used Bulleit Bourbon - remember Tennessee Whiskey is actually bourbon versus an Irish Whiskey...and obviously I don't know any of this, but my father-in-law did. Bourbon starts with a sour mash (again whatever that means!). The point of this ramble here - make sure you have a TENNESSEE whiskey, which is usually labeled bourbon.]

Toppings/Sides:

Chocolate sauce [we used this, I really liked this addition.]

Vanilla ice cream [we didn't use, but we think it would be good. I just usually don't have ice cream in the house because I like to go out for ice cream. It's one of the few things I always want to eat out versus in.]

Candied pecans [we didn't use as I don't like pecans, but you can find a recipe for these online, if you want them.]

Preheat the oven to 350°. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Using a standing mixer, beat the butter at medium-high speed until creamy; gradually add the brown and granulated sugars and mix well. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture, one-third at a time, alternating with the milk and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix in the molasses on medium-low speed. Mix in the whiskey until smooth, about 30 seconds. [This all actually takes a bit of time.]

Pour the batter into a greased, parchment paper- lined 10-inch cake pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes [okay, do NOT use a springform pan....I learned the hard way. My only 10 inch cake pan was a springform and I didn't have parchment paper (I did have wax paper, but just didn't want to mess with it), so I decided this would be good. Well, it LEAKS - so take my advice and don't use it. It only leaked some and still turned out, but still a mess you don't need!]. Let cool. You can serve with ice cream, chocolate sauce and candied pecans based on what you want.