These fudgy dark chocolate Baileys Irish cream brownies are baked to perfection and topped with a rich boozy ganache. Every bite has a hint of Baileys, and the smooth chocolate ganache is made richer with chocolate chips and heavy cream.
Not only is this Baileys brownie recipe perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s also the ultimate decadent dessert any time of the year.
Keep reading to discover why Baileys works so well in these brownies and how easy it is to make them at home, step-by-step.
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Why Baileys works so well in brownies
Baileys Irish cream isn’t just a tasty addition — it actually improves the flavor and texture of your brownies.
Rich, creamy flavor
The smooth combination of Irish whiskey, cream, and chocolate notes in Baileys enhances the chocolate in your brownies without overpowering it. Every bite gets a subtle, boozy warmth that pairs perfectly with the deep, dark chocolate.
Baileys adds moisture for fudgy brownies
Baileys contains cream, which adds extra moisture to the batter. This helps create brownies that are dense, fudgy, and perfectly chewy — even if you’re baking from scratch.
The alcohol lightly bakes out
While Baileys gives a gentle kick, most of the alcohol cooks off in the oven, leaving behind flavor without being too strong. This makes it enjoyable for adults and safe for casual occasions.
Versatile and forgiving
Whether you’re making these brownies from scratch or enhancing a boxed mix, Baileys blends easily into the batter, giving consistent flavor and texture every time. It’s also easy to pair with toppings like the delicious chocolate ganache in this recipe.
Ingredients for the Baileys Irish cream brownie recipe
To make these Baileys brownies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the brownies:
- ¾ cup of unsalted butter
- ¼ cup of Baileys Irish cream (use store-bought or try our homemade Baileys Irish cream recipe)
- ⅔ cups of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
For the chocolate ganache
- 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup of heavy cream
- ⅓ cup of Baileys Irish Cream
You’ll also need a mixer, parchment paper, and a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
Note: If you’re short on time, you can also use a boxed brownie mix with Baileys to make these brownies. Simply add Baileys Irish cream to the batter, then top with the rich chocolate ganache for the same fudgy, boozy flavor.
How to make Baileys Irish cream brownies
These brownies are very easy to make. Just follow these step-by-step instructions below.
Heat the oven and prepare the pan
Start by preheating the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Making the wet ingredients mix
Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it in the microwave.
Mix the cocoa powder with the butter. and stir in the Baileys Irish Cream. Set the bowl aside.
Making the batter
Whisk the eggs, sugar, and pure vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer.
Add the Baileys cocoa mixture and beat, so everything is well-combined.
Gradually mix in the flour, salt, and baking powder, and gently beat until the wet and dry ingredients are combined, being careful not to overmix. The batter will be thick and glossy.
Bake the brownies
Pour the Baileys brownie batter into the prepared baking dish, and bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven on the middle rack.
Remove the pan and allow the brownies to cool completely.
The edges of the brownies will be set, but the center will be slightly soft. The center will harden slightly as the brownies cool. Don’t return them to the oven ot cook longer, or they will be dry.
How to make Baileys chocolate ganache
This rich Baileys chocolate ganache uses equal parts Baileys and heavy cream (⅓ cup) to 1 cup of dark chocolate chips. It is very easy to prepare.
Heat the ingredients
Place the heavy cream and Baileys Irish cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture just to a boil, then add the dark chocolate chips.
Wait before you stir
Do not stir right away. Wait 3-5 minutes to let the flavors combine, and then stir the chip mixture until it is smooth.
Spread over the brownies
- Spread the chocolate ganache mixture over the cooled brownies.
- Let the Baileys ganache cool until it comes to room temperature to make sure that it develops a deep sheen.
- Serve the ganache plain, or use a citrus zester to grate some baking chocolate over the brownies for extra texture.
- Store the frosted brownies in the fridge until you are ready to serve them.
Tasting these Baileys Irish cream brownies
Perfect for grown-ups, these fudgy Baileys brownies are rich, chocolatey, and boozy — topped with decadent chocolate ganache.
Be sure to have a bottle of Baileys Irish cream nearby for your guests to enjoy while they taste these deliciously decadent brownies.
More brownie recipes to try
If you love these fudgy Baileys Irish cream brownies, here are a few more decadent brownie recipes to try:
- Heavenly Heath Bar Brownies – Delicious flavor with an irresistible chocolate ganache
- The Ultimate Reese’s Brownies – Rich, fudgy brownies with a peanut butter cup frosting
- Best Cookie Dough Brownies – Egg-free cookie dough layer topped with a chocolate glaze
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🍫 Fudgy, boozy, and oh-so-decadent! These Baileys Irish cream brownies topped with rich chocolate ganache are a grown-up treat you’ll want to make ASAP! 🥃✨Get the recipe on Recipes Just 4U. ➡️ #BaileysBrownies #BoozyDesserts… Share on XPin this post for fudgy brownies with a Baileys chocolate ganache
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Admin note: This recipe for rich fudgy brownies with a Baileys chocolate ganache first appeared on the blog in February 2022. This post has been updated with all new photos, a printable recipe card, and a slideshow video of other brownie recipes to try.
Fudgy Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe with a Chocolate Ganache
These rich, fudgy brownies are infused with Baileys Irish cream and topped with a luscious chocolate ganache — the ultimate boozy treat!
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- ¾ cup of unsalted butter
- ¼ cup of Baileys Irish Cream
- ⅔ cups of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
For the dhocolate ganache
- 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup of heavy cream
- ⅓ cup of Baileys Irish Cream
Instructions
- For the brownies:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
- Line the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Mix the cocoa powder with the butter. and add the Baileys Irish Cream.
- Set the wet ingredients aside.
- Whisk the eggs, sugar, and pure vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add the Baileys cocoa mixture and mix, so everything is well-combined.
- Gradually mix in the flour, salt, and baking powder, and stir until combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Pour the Baileys brownie batter into the baking dish, and bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven on the middle rack.
- Remove the pan and allow the brownies to cool completely. They may appear soft, but will harden slightly as they cool. Don't return them to the oven ot cook longer, or they will be dry.
- For the ganache topping:
- Place the heavy cream and Baileys in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring the mixture just to a boil, then add the chocolate chips.
- Do not stir right away. Wait 3-5 minutes and then stir the chip mixture until it is smooth.
- Spread the chocolate ganache mixture over the cooled brownies.
- Allow the ganache to cool at room temperature.
- Place the frosted brownies in the refrigerator.
Notes
If you’re short on time, you can also use a boxed brownie mix with Baileys to make these brownies. Simply add Baileys Irish cream to the batter, then top the brownies with the homemade rich chocolate ganache for the same fudgy, boozy flavor.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
20Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 358Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 3gSugar: 34gProtein: 5g
Nutritional information is approximate due to natural variation in ingredients and the cook-at-home nature of our meals.