Search Results for: bourbon

Drinks | Kentucky Derby | Southern

Large Batch Classic Kentucky Mint Julep with Bourbon
ByHeather Bilyeu February 17, 2025June 25, 2025

Get ready to toast the Kentucky Derby in true Southern style with my large batch classic Kentucky mint julep recipe! Whether you're sipping solo or hosting a crowd, this recipe includes both a single-serving cocktail and a large-batch pitcher that serves 12—perfect for your Derby party. Made with smooth Kentucky bourbon, fresh mint, and homemade simple syrup, this iconic cocktail is served ice-cold in a traditional copper or sterling silver julep cup, piled high with crushed ice. As the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, it's a must-have for race day celebrations!

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Appetizers | Deviled Eggs | Kentucky Derby | Southern

Deviled Eggs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce Drizzle
ByHeather Bilyeu February 10, 2025March 6, 2025

My classic creamy Southern deviled eggs get a bold, smoky twist with a drizzle of homemade bourbon BBQ sauce on top! Made with simple ingredients like mayo, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard, the rich and velvety filling is piped into tender egg whites, then topped with a sweet and tangy sauce cooked up on the stovetop with a splash of Kentucky bourbon. Perfect for tailgates, wedding showers, holiday parties, or just when that deviled egg craving strikes—these bites bring a little Southern charm and a whole lot of flavor to any gathering! Yields 12.

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Appetizers | Southern

Bacon-Bourbon Jam for Burgers, Biscuits, and More
ByHeather Bilyeu February 3, 2025February 3, 2025

Bourbon bacon jam is the ultimate blend of savory and sweet, made by crisping up smoky bacon in a skillet and using the reserved bacon grease to sauté onions to perfection. A touch of brown sugar adds sweetness, while a splash of Kentucky bourbon deepens the flavor as it all simmers on the stove, transforming into a sticky, irresistible jam. Spread it on burgers, pair it with whipped feta and crackers for a dip, slather it on biscuits for a savory treat, or even top Southern deviled eggs for a unique twist.

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Sauces & Condiments | Southern

Tangy Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Sauce
ByHeather Bilyeu January 19, 2025February 13, 2025

This bourbon BBQ sauce is cooked in one pot on the stovetop in just 20 minutes, making it a quick and flavorful addition to any Southern meal. Featuring Kentucky bourbon, hints of sweetness from brown sugar and honey, tanginess from apple cider vinegar, and a blend of simple spices. It’s a versatile sauce perfect on grilled chicken, baked salmon, or even deviled eggs—basically, anything you love to enjoy BBQ on! Yields 12 ounces.

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Desserts | Hot Appetizers | Kentucky Derby | Sauces & Condiments | Southern

10-Minute Bourbon Praline Sauce
ByHeather Bilyeu December 3, 2024November 8, 2024

Y'all, this bourbon praline sauce is a decadent treat that comes together on the stovetop in just 10 minutes. It's a rich caramel base made from butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream with pecans and Kentucky bourbon stirred in. It’s perfect as a dip poured over cream cheese or drizzled over your favorite desserts, like cheesecake, apple pie, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Christmas | Desserts | Fall | Kentucky Derby | Pie | Southern | Thanksgiving

Boozy Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie
ByHeather Bilyeu October 10, 2024October 10, 2024

This twist on a Southern pecan pie features a good chug of Kentucky bourbon, crispy bacon bits, and toasted pecans for a perfectly sweet and salty dessert. With a flaky homemade pie crust as its base, this indulgent pie is oven-baked for 40 minutes until set in the middle, creating a balance of flavors that’s irresistible. Recipe yield 8 slices.

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Desserts | Fall | Southern | Thanksgiving

Oven Baked Apple Crisp with Bourbon
ByHeather Bilyeu October 3, 2024October 15, 2024

You are going to love this classic southern dessert - bourbon apple crisp! Made with unpeeled sliced granny smith apples, both brown and white sugar, warm spices, and a good chug of Kentucky Bourbon. Topped with a simple crunchy oat topping, it is oven-baked for 45 minutes. This has all the cozy flavor of fall and is a sweet treat I know you will love!

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Cake | Christmas | Southern

Boozy Bourbon Eggnog Cupcakes
ByHeather Bilyeu November 20, 2023February 15, 2024

Boozy bourbon eggnog cupcakes are the perfect easy dessert to ring in the holidays! We are doctoring up a boxed cake mix and you will never know that these are semi-homemade. Loaded with spicy holiday flavor and a hint of bourbon, these tender cupcakes will be a huge hit this Christmas!

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Bars | Christmas | Easter | Fall | Kentucky Derby | Southern | Thanksgiving | Valentine's

Kentucky Bourbon Pecan and Chocolate Dessert Bars
ByHeather Bilyeu April 18, 2022September 10, 2025

These Kentucky bourbon pecan and chocolate dessert bars feature a buttery shortbread cookie crust topped with a gooey, one-bowl filling of rich chocolate pecan pie filling with a kick of bourbon flavor. Oven-baked for an hour, this classic Kentucky dessert recipe yields 32 decadent squares, making it perfect for celebrating the Derby or your holiday gatherings.

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Cake | Fall | Recipe Video | Southern | Thanksgiving

Apple Bundt Cake with Bourbon Caramel Glaze
ByHeather Bilyeu October 13, 2021January 12, 2025

This apple bundt bake is the ultimate fall dessert and is served with a luscious Kentucky bourbon caramel glaze on top. This uses unpeeled grated unpeeled Granny Smith apples inside and is oven-baked in a greased bundt pan for one hour. Recipe yields 22 slices.

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Appetizers | Hot Appetizers | Kentucky Derby | Southern

Mini Kentucky Hot Brown Bites in Crispy Phyllo Shells
ByHeather Bilyeu February 23, 2026February 23, 2026

These mini Kentucky hot brown bites are the ultimate mini appetizer, perfect to serve at your Derby party! Packed full of the classic hot brown flavors like tender turkey breast and creamy Mornay sauce. They’re oven-baked for just 10 minutes until perfectly warm and golden. Whether you’re hosting or heading to a Derby party, this easy recipe makes 30 delicious bites that are sure to disappear fast.

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Desserts | Pie | Southern

Tender Pie Crust made with Buttermilk
ByHeather Bilyeu July 15, 2025October 30, 2025

Once you taste this buttermilk pie crust, you’ll never reach for a store-bought one again. Made with just 4 simple ingredients—flour, salt, lard, and buttermilk—this recipe makes two crusts that bake up tender and delicate, yet still deliver that signature flaky texture us Southerners know and love. Perfect for any pie or quiche, it’s the kind of crust that turns every bite into comfort.

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Appetizers | Deviled Eggs | Southern

Sweet and Savory Deviled Eggs with Bacon Jam
ByHeather Bilyeu March 3, 2025February 11, 2025

Creamy Southern deviled eggs meet the rich, sticky-sweet goodness of bourbon bacon jam in this irresistible appetizer. Served chilled, these Southern-style bites are perfect for Easter brunch, bridal showers, or any gathering where a touch of indulgence is welcome. Plus, each part can be prepped ahead of time, making them as easy as they are delicious—just pipe, top, and serve! Yields 12

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Appetizers | Baked Dips | Kentucky Derby | Southern

Cast Iron Skillet Kentucky Hot Brown Dip
ByHeather Bilyeu February 25, 2025February 25, 2025

If you love a Hot Brown, just wait till y'all scoop into this Kentucky Hot Brown Dip! It’s got all the classic flavors of the famous Louisville-born dish—savory turkey, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and Pecorino—baked into a hot, cheesy, and downright irresistible dip. Oven-baked in a cast iron skillet for 20 minutes, it comes out bubbly and golden, just begging to be scooped up with toasted French bread or baguette slices (because we’re staying true to tradition here!). Whether you’re hosting a Derby party or just need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this rich and creamy dip will have everyone coming back for more! Serves 6-8.

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Drinks | Kentucky Derby | Southern

Large Batch Kentucky Oaks Lily with Vodka
ByHeather Bilyeu February 24, 2025June 12, 2025

Nothing says it's the Friday before Derby (aka Oaks Day) like having a cold, sweet, and tart Kentucky Oaks Lily in hand! This homemade version ditches the premade mixes and keeps it simple with just five ingredients—vodka, freshly squeezed lemon juice, homemade simple syrup, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Served over crushed ice in a seamless wine glass and topped with juicy blackberries, it’s as pretty as it is delicious. Whether you're mixing up a single sip or a big batch for your Derby party guests, this Kentucky-inspired cocktail is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! The pitcher serves 12.

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Casseroles | Dinner | Kentucky Derby | Southern | Turkey

Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole with Mornay Sauce
ByHeather Bilyeu February 21, 2025October 27, 2025

If you’ve never had a Kentucky Hot Brown, you’re missing out on a true Bluegrass classic! Made with toasted and cubed sourdough bread, tender turkey, crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and smothered in a rich, cheesy Mornay sauce, this dish is baked at 350°F for 30 minutes until hot, bubbly, and downright irresistible. Whether you're feeding a crowd or just need a cozy weeknight dinner, this Southern staple always hits the spot! Serves 6-8.

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Appetizers | Cold Dips

5 Minute Cream Cheese & Praline Dip
ByHeather Bilyeu December 17, 2024November 8, 2024

Y'all, this 5-Minute Cream Cheese & Praline Dip is pure Southern bliss! Made with a rich, homemade bourbon praline sauce drizzled over a dreamy whipped cream cheese. It's the perfect sweet appetizer for your holiday spread. Serve it up with crisp apple slices, graham crackers, or even gingersnaps, and watch it disappear quickly!

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Cookies | Fall | Halloween | Recipe Video | Thanksgiving

Tender Apple Pie Thumbprint Cookies
ByHeather Bilyeu August 7, 2023February 19, 2025

Apple pie thumbprint cookies are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy this fall! Loaded with a homemade apple pie filling tucked in a tender spiced cookie. Baked at 350 for 11 minutes, these are a mini handheld version of the classic fall pie in cookie form!

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4th of July | Appetizers | Southern | Summer | SuperBowl/Tailgate

Pigs in a Blanket with Little Smokies (Puff Pastry)
ByHeather Bilyeu July 17, 2023February 27, 2025

A beloved easy southern appetizer staple, pigs in a blanket made with little smokies and puff pastry is always a hit! Made with just 4 ingredients, these are the perfect bite-size appetizer to serve at any party!

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Appetizers | Chicken | Southern

Baked Crunchy Cornflake Chicken Tenders
ByHeather Bilyeu July 3, 2023September 18, 2025

Crispy, crunchy, and full of bold flavor, these oven-baked cornflake chicken tenders are a family favorite. Made with simple ingredients, they’re perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or served as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Don’t forget the homemade honey mustard sauce for dipping...it's the only way to enjoy them!

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4th of July | Desserts | Southern | Summer

Southern Blackberry Cobbler with Fresh Blackberries
ByHeather Bilyeu June 5, 2023March 11, 2025

There is nothing that tastes like summer more than an old-fashioned cobbler. Southern blackberry cobbler is the perfect dessert to serve during the warm months when berries are at their in-season peak. This cobbler is a Southern classic, made with fresh blackberries and a few pantry and fridge staples. It is oven-baked for 40 minutes, resulting in a warm sweet, comforting treat that pairs perfectly with a scoop of ice cream. Yields enough for 8-10.

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Deviled Eggs | Savory Breakfast | Southern

Southern Deviled Eggs with Dijon Mustard (No Mayo)
ByHeather Bilyeu December 1, 2022February 13, 2025

Who can resist creamy, bite-sized goodness? These classic Southern deviled eggs are ultra-creamy, with just the right amount of kick from dijon mustard. Made with Greek yogurt, and finished with a sprinkle of paprika and chives, they’re the perfect party starting appetizer!

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Christmas | Drinks | Fall | Sous Vide Recipes | Southern | Thanksgiving

Sous Vide Orange Thyme Old Fashion
ByHeather Bilyeu November 18, 2022March 12, 2026

For the cocktail lovers in your life, blow them away with this orange and thyme old fashion through sous vide bourbon infusion!

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Christmas | Fall | Pie | Recipe Video | Southern | Thanksgiving

Southern Pumpkin Pie with Canned Pumpkin Puree
ByHeather Bilyeu November 4, 2022July 29, 2025

Southern Pumpkin Pie is everything you love about fall and a classic pumpkin pie. Smooth and creamy with a flaky homemade crust.

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Christmas | Pie | Southern | Thanksgiving

Mama's Pecan Pie
ByHeather Bilyeu October 25, 2022July 29, 2024

My mama's pecan pie is everything you love about pecan pie. Sweet, a rich bourbon flavor, flaky pie crust. You will love this pecan pie!

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Desserts | Fall | Pie | Recipe Video | Southern | Thanksgiving

Baked Apple-Cinnamon Hand Pies (made with Pie Dough)
ByHeather Bilyeu September 29, 2022September 5, 2025

These oven-baked fresh apple hand pies are the perfect desserts for fall! With a flaky pie dough crust, and a sweet, cinnamon-spiced filling of granny smith apples, they’re impossible to resist! No finicky puff pastry here — the pie dough crust holds it's shape well.

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Drinks | Mexican | Recipe Video | Summer

Mexican Mule
ByHeather Bilyeu June 20, 2021October 3, 2025

Mexican Mule is a refreshing spin on a classic mule cocktail. Everything you love about an ice-cold mule but with your favorite tequila. Pairs perfect with chips, queso, and tacos!

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Hot Appetizers | Kentucky Derby | Pork | Recipe Video | Southern

Kentucky Derby Hot Brown Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
ByHeather Bilyeu April 25, 2021July 24, 2025

Bring a taste of Louisville, KY, to your Derby party with these irresistible Hot Brown Sliders. Made with soft Hawaiian rolls, they’re oven-baked at 250 for 20 minutes. Each slider is layered with turkey breast, crispy bacon, and cherry tomatoes, and topped with the rich, creamy white sauce made famous by the classic to the Hot Brown, slathered with a brown sugar bourbon butter sauce that sends this love to the top. Soft, buttery, and bursting with savory flavor, these handheld treats are a delicious twist on a Kentucky tradition. Yields 12 sliders.

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4th of July | Cake | Christmas | Easter | Fall | Southern | Summer | Thanksgiving | Valentine's

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
ByHeather Bilyeu February 14, 2021October 3, 2025

Cream cheese pound cake is a decadent sweet treat everyone will love. Full of tender vanilla bean flavor and topped with a tangy lemon glaze,

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Christmas | Desserts | Drinks | Holiday Guides | Lifestyle | Sous Vide Recipes

Homemade Christmas Gift Using Sous Vide
ByHeather Bilyeu December 7, 2020March 12, 2026

Using your sous vide for homemade Christmas gifts is a great way to show love to others! Make a little something yummy this Christmas season with your sous vide!

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Christmas | Holiday Guides | How To's | Recipe Video | Thanksgiving

5 Tips for Stress Free Holiday Entertaining
ByHeather Bilyeu November 4, 2020February 23, 2024

These 5 tips will teach you have to entertain during the holidays stress free so you can actually enjoy your party day!

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Casseroles | Christmas | Fall | Recipe Video | Sides and Veggies | Southern | Thanksgiving

Brown Butter Sweet Potato Casserole
ByHeather Bilyeu November 3, 2020August 20, 2024

This Thanksgiving staple gets an extra flavor kick with brown butter oatmeal streusel topping! Make sure to include Brown Butter Sweet Potato Casserole at your Thanksgiving table this year!

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4th of July | Chicken | Grilling | Recipe Video | Salads | Southern | Summer

BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad with Herb Yogurt Dressing
ByHeather Bilyeu June 26, 2019September 15, 2025

BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad with Herb Yogurt Dressing is the perfect salad for summer. Bursting with fresh flavors, this salad is going to be your new favorite!

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Desserts | Southern

Loaded Salted Caramel Corn
ByHeather Bilyeu October 1, 2017September 15, 2025

This Loaded Salted Caramel Corn transforms popcorn into a salty, sweet, crunchy and the most addicting snack of all time. Pecans & chocolate take this caramel corn to the next level.

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About Fueling a Southern Soul
ByHeather Bilyeu July 9, 2017March 2, 2026

Fueling a Southern Soul: Southern Hospitality, Reimagined Welcome to Fueling a Southern Soul! Grab a glass of wine and a blanket, and cozy into your favorite spot on the back porch. I'm thrilled to have you here! Born in September 2017 and based in Central Kentucky, Fueling a Southern Soul is a one-woman show, lovingly...

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