What could be better than bananas, cookies and Kahlua? You can adjust this to suit your taste, depending on whether you like a stronger or weaker Kahlua flavor. —Laurie Handlin, Ocean View, Delaware
If you love Kahlua, you have to try this chocolate Kahlua cake recipe from 1981!
This delicious frozen souffle is perfect for summer and will impress just about anyone. It’s a great make-ahead dessert! —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California
Chocolate and chopped pecans flavor these simple, spirited treats. Make a double batch so you can give some as gifts and savor the rest!—Paula Kirchenbauer, Newton, New Jersey
Roll these truffle-like rum balls in crushed Oreos to get just the right amount of crunch. They can be made three days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I also tuck some in the freezer!
The first time I ever had tres leches cake I felt as if I were in heaven. I have made it at home using several techniques and flavors, and this margarita twist on the classic is my favorite. —Laurie Lufkin, Essex, Massachusetts
Nothing says the holidays to me more than the warming spices of chai. This bread pudding incorporates those flavors to make a dessert that everyone raves about. —Jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California
Take your favorite pie, ice cream and cake to the next level with a dollop of bourbon whipped cream. Or try a dollop on hot chocolate or Irish coffee. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
This Baileys bars recipe is a combo of two St. Patrick’s Day goodies. You can use any type of chips in the brownies, and you can choose to swirl in the cheesecake instead of using it as a separate topping. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
These bakery-style cookies are a delicious twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie! The combination of rye flour, chocolate and brown sugar makes these cookies truly unique. They’re soft and chewy with crunchy edges, perfectly salty-sweet and loaded with just the right amount of chocolate. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
This limoncello tiramisu is a delightful citrus twist on a classic Italian dessert. It’s always a favorite at holiday meals or summer gatherings! —Deena Resnick, Oregon City, Oregon
My husband wasn’t a fan of bread pudding until I had him try a bite of mine from a local restaurant. I replicated it with some added bourbon, walnuts and a different type of bread. It’s a keeper! —Cindy Worth, Lapwai, Idaho
If you want a dessert that will take the cake at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, look no further! The rich chocolate cake is incredibly moist and has a nice malt flavor that’s perfectly complemented by the Irish cream frosting. —Jennifer Wayland, Morris Plains, New Jersey
I took bananas Foster one step further and combined it with the flavors of my favorite tropical drink: a pina colada. Make sure you use underripe bananas, as their firm texture works best in this recipe. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Yogurt replaces part of the butter in this traditional cookie, but you would never know. I get a lot of requests for these and can’t make a cookie tray without them. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
My take on those boozy treats that weigh down suitcases returning from Jamaica, this moist cake packs a rum punch. You may wish to card your guests before serving. The longer the rum soaks in, the better—overnight is best. —Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey
There’s plenty of sake flavor in this rich ice cream studded with peppercorns. You’ll get an interesting pop of heat with every bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Who doesn’t love a frozen margarita? This creamy frozen mousse combines ready-to-drink margarita mix and whipped topping (you could use this whipped topping substitute instead). It’s easy to put together and the freezer does all the work. Garnish with additional crushed pretzels and kosher salt to enhance the sweet and salty flavor. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Beer and pretzels are a natural combination—mix them with smooth caramel and you have an awesome candy. The guys will go wild over these crunchy, chunky chews. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
My husband and I are big fans of Irish cream, so I wanted to incorporate it into a brownie. I started with my mom’s brownie recipe, then added frosting and ganache. These decadent treats are the result, and we really enjoy them! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
You can add many different flavors to butter cookies to make them your own. Try an alternate type of citrus zest, or add an alternate liquid to change things up. —Sara Lark, Raton, New Mexico
This five-ingredient recipe makes serving up treats easy and scrumptious. —Laura Hanks, Harleysville, Pennsylvania
This deliciously different dessert is made in the slow cooker instead of in the oven. When done, add final touches to the cooled pineapple shortcake jars and serve. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Change up cheesecakes with different liqueur flavorings. This “mudslide” version with coffee and Irish cream is my husband’s favorite. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
The brown sugar in this decadent bourbon ice cream gives a hint of caramel flavor, which complements the bourbon. When the custard is still liquid, before it goes into the ice cream maker, add more or less bourbon to suite your taste. —Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor
You may substitute additional eggnog if rum isn’t your thing. For a variation, try using one of the flavored eggnogs available around the holidays. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
One bite and everyone will propose a toast to this silky-smooth chocolate Guinness cake. The cream cheese frosting reminds me of the foamy head on a perfectly poured pint. —Marjorie Hennig, Seymour, Indiana
I took these lime and coconut air-fryer macaroons to our annual cookie exchange, where we name a queen. I won the crown! —Milissa Kirkpatrick, Angel Fire, New Mexico
I like to experiment and make new and unusual-flavored cheesecakes. When I tried RumChata at a friend’s party, I knew it would make a great cheesecake. For a pretty presentation, drizzle it with caramel syrup or topping, or sprinkle on some toasted coconut. —Christine Talley, Hillsboro, Missouri
For several years, our neighbor gave us a moist, whiskey-flavored cake. I’ve tweaked the recipe, and now my friends want this cake instead of platters of homemade cookies. Fair warning: This cake takes three days to make, but it is very easy to prepare. —Cindy Worth, Lapwai, Idaho
This rich pie is always on our Thanksgiving dessert table. Find more of my recipes on my blog, A Southern Grace.—Grace Mannon, Abingdon, Virginia
After a big Christmas dinner, we love the cool refreshment of a frozen lemon pie. Limoncello brings a little sophistication to each smooth, creamy slice. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine
A tower of creme de menthe-flavored puffs makes a spectacular centerpiece for your dessert table. Guests will have this sumptuous pyramid deconstructed in no time at all! —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
I love when fresh peaches are in season! This recipe is sweet from the peaches, yet it also has a slight tang from the whiskey. It stars as a perfect after-dinner treat but is just as good with morning coffee. It also makes a welcome gift for neighbors and friends. —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
My grandmother handed down the recipe for these gooey bars that we all love. The candied cherries are a must. —Deborah Pennington, Falkville, Alabama
This Kentucky bourbon pecan cheesecake will wow your guests and your taste buds. Serve in spring during the Kentucky Derby or at any other special occasion throughout the year. —Rashanda Cobbins, Taste of Home Food Editor
This Moscow mule cake is my favorite cake I’ve ever made from scratch. It’s so moist and flavorful, and it reminds me of my favorite cocktail. —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
This is an update to a recipe that’s been in our family for three generations. The combination of white chocolate and amaretto mingled with seasonal cranberry is my favorite way to end any celebration’s meal. —Jennifer Evans DaCastello, Virginia Beach, Virginia
The flavors in this cake really make it stand out as a special-occasion dessert. With raisins, fresh sweet pear chunks, rich spices, crunchy walnuts and rum, it’s a fine finale for your holiday spread. If you don’t cook with alcohol, try substituting apple juice for the rum—it will still be delicious! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
My mother makes incredible apple crisp, and I’ve added a few twists of my own. We think it’s best warm, with ice cream on the side. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Growing up in Cyprus, we would see this melomakarona cookie everywhere during the holidays. Every year my mother, Thelma, would make plate after plate of these all Christmas long. It’s just not the holidays without them. —Paris Paraskeva, San Francisco, California
This layered bar hits all the sweet spots: It’s airy, creamy, crunchy and the perfect mix of cool mint and rich chocolate. It has a vintage dessert appeal that no one in our family can resist. —Marilyn Blankschien, Clintonville, Wisconsin
I added pumpkin and subtracted some of the coffee flavor in a tiramisu I developed for a special holiday dinner. A new Christmas tradition was born! —Heather Clary, Downingtown, Pennsylvania
We use creme de menthe liqueur (the term means “mint cream” in French) to add a cool touch to these impressive mascarpone-frosted cupcakes. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
Red wine and chocolate make an amazing pairing, especially in these rich, elegant cupcakes made for my mother’s birthday. She adores them! —Candace Cheney, Fort McMurray, Alberta
This recipe is a great way to change up your desserts for the holidays. Try it and see how many complements you receive from friends and family.—Gertrudis Miller, Evansville, Indiana
Remember the days at Grandma and Grandpa’s house when you made these wonderfully traditional treats? We love these Kentucky Derby bourbon balls—the blended taste of bourbon and pecans is irresistible! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
My favorite apple cake is made with a shot of brandy and drizzled with caramel to set off the wonderful flavors. If alcohol is a no-go, use orange juice instead of apple brandy. If you’d rather follow a chocolate route, add mini chocolate chips to the cake and use chocolate ice cream topping for the drizzle. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Time to give rum cake a little competition! If this boozy take on monkey bread is too strong for your taste, cut back on the bourbon or use milk as a non-alcoholic substitute. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
This pie has a mellow bourbon flavor that’s not too strong and not too sweet. And it is easy, crunchy and chewy—just what you want in a pecan pie. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
These stout brownies are so rich and fudgy. I love how quickly they come together. They’re perfect for a busy weeknight. —Mandy Naglich, New York, New York
We like a touch of rum for the holidays, and this orangy rum cake is decadent alone or with big swoops of whipped cream. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
This is my version of a recipe I tasted years ago—my family loves it. The flaky cookies are filled with a scrumptious combination of dried cranberries, cinnamon, lemon and a hint of port wine. —Leslie Forte, Oakhill, Virginia
I am a pecan pie lover…this is my twist on pecan pie. I use almonds instead of pecans and golden syrup instead of corn syrup. Both chocolate and Armagnac make this tart really special. Don’t skip on toasting the almonds, it brings out the nuttiness of the pie. — Phoebe Saad, Framingham, Massachusetts
I get tired of people bad-mouthing holiday fruitcakes. It’s one of my favorite holiday flavors and I look forward to it every year. This year, I decided to combine it with everyone’s favorite, upside-down cake. Try to say no to this fruitcake; I dare you! —James Schend, Dairy Freed
I love a tangy gimlet when the weather turns steamy—but these bars are just the thing when the craving hits and summer seems too far away. Add more lime zest if you want these a bit tangier. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
These grilled bananas are the perfect dessert following a cookout. My family was skeptical at first, but everyone tried the recipe and they all agreed it was delicious. I use coconut rum from the Bahamas. —Lori Wendt, Mahomet, Illinois
You can’t beat the combination of almond flavor with cherries. These light and fluffy dumplings are heavenly. Topped with the sauce and ice cream, it makes for a scrumptious dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This is my version of my great-grandmother’s original pecan pie recipe. You can easily make this pie without the bourbon by using 3 tablespoons of melted butter in its place. To make it lighter, leave out the chocolate. —Sarah Varner, Santa Rita, Guam
Your adult guests will love the flavor of this cool and creamy margarita fruit dip recipe. Serve the kabobs either as a snack or dessert. —Michelle Zapf, Kingsland, Georgia
I don’t drink alcohol, so after I’ve had company over for dinner, I have to do something with the leftover wine. These unusual jelly candies make a nice hostess gift during the holidays. I make the mulled red wine version for the winter holidays, and a white wine variation in spring and summer.—Jennifer Mack, Pensacola, Florida
Santa’s eyes twinkle when he finds this very adult brownie on the cookie tray. With chocolaty liqueur and other spirits, it’s definitely a merrymaker for grown-ups. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
I was running out of ideas on what to make for a friend for her upcoming 50th so I made this cake and she was ecstatic. I knew that after dinner she enjoyed a glass of milk with an ounce of Grand Marnier mixed in, so what better way to surprise her than with this decadent birthday cake? —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontarior
My mom has made rum balls for as long as I can remember. They look beautiful on a dessert spread and can be packaged in a decorative tin as a gift. I swapped coconut rum for the traditional rum and added shredded coconut. —Jana Walker, Macomb, Michigan