On President’s Day it’s fun to bake something that past presidents enjoyed. George Washington loved southern cakes, and it is rumored that one of his favorites was a light cake with nuts and raisins soaked in a whiskey syrup. Many of us don’t have time to bake a cake from scratch, and luckily we have the convenience nowadays of cake mixes that work well in a pinch. Presidential Whiskey Cake can be made quickly starting with a yellow cake mix. It can be baked in a Bundt pan (of course Bundt pans weren’t around then, so it may not be too authentic) or a 10” tube pan. Once removed from the oven, a syrup made from whiskey and sugar is poured over the cake and it soaks in to make the cake extra moist.


16 Servings


1 18.25 ounce yellow cake Mix
Eggs, water, and oil according to package directions

1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon flour

Glaze
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Whiskey, (preferably Kentucky bourbon)

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Spray a standard Bundt pan or 10" tube pan with non-stick spray. Add a tablespoon of flour, shake around the pan, and dump out the excess flour.
3. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions.
4. Mix the raisins and pecans in a small bowl and toss with the flour; fold into the cake batter.
5. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, place in the oven, and bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. Meanwhile, make the glaze: Measure the butter, sugar, and whiskey into a small saucepan; stir well, bring to a boil, and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
7. Boil an additional 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the pan.
8. Remove from the heat and set aside.
9. When the cake is done, remove from the oven and poke holes into the surface with a skewer or fork; pour 3/4 of the glaze over and let the cake sit in the pan for 10 minutes to soak up the glaze.
10. Invert the cake onto a serving platter and drizzle the remaining glaze over the top.
11. Cool completely before slicing.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 315 Calories from Fat 144
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 46% Protein 2% Carb. 47%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 16 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Cholesterol 48 mg
Sodium 245 mg
Total Carbohydrate 37 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 21 g
Protein 2 g

Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 2%