Name: Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 38 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray; 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons; 1 cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup cocoa powder; ¼ cup Baileys Irish Cream; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature; Pinch kosher salt; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon Baileys Irish Cream

If you love rich, fudgy brownies with a boozy twist, you’re going to absolutely adore this Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe. I stumbled upon this gem when I wanted to combine two of my favorites—chocolate and Baileys Irish Cream—and I promise you, it’s a match made in heaven. These brownies are decadently moist, with a subtle, smooth Irish cream flavor that makes them feel special (and a little indulgent). Stick around—I’ll share my best tips to help you nail these every single time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Boozy flavor, not overpowering: The Baileys adds a smooth, creamy note that complements the chocolate perfectly without being too strong.
Fudgy texture every time: The combination of butter, cocoa, and chocolate chips creates a rich, melt-in-your-mouth brownie.
Easy to make: No complicated steps or fancy tools—perfect for bakers at any skill level.
Delicious frosting included: The cream cheese and Baileys frosting takes these brownies from good to show-stopping!

The image shows a dark brown chocolate cake cut into 12 square pieces, nine still together on the left side, and three separated on the white marbled textured surface to the right. Each square has a thick, smooth layer of white cream frosting on top, with gentle swirls creating a soft texture. A few dark chocolate chips are scattered at the top right corner, and some small white salt crystals are near the bottom right edge. The overall look is clean and inviting, with the contrast between the rich dark cake and the bright white frosting clearly visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Baileys Irish Cream Brownies, Irish Cream Brownies, Boozy Chocolate Brownies, Fudgy Bailey's Brownies, Easy Baileys Brownies

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in making these brownies just right. The Baileys Irish Cream is the star, adding that signature flavor, but the balance of cocoa, butter, and chocolate chips ensures you get that perfect fudgy bite. When shopping, look for good-quality cocoa powder and Baileys for the best taste.

Flat lay of a small pile of rich unsalted butter sticks, a mound of granulated sugar, a heap of dark cocoa powder, a small white bowl filled with creamy Baileys Irish Cream, a pinch of coarse kosher salt, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a scattering of glossy semisweet chocolate chips, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a square of fresh cream cheese, a small pat of unsalted butter at room temperature, a pile of powdered sugar in a white ceramic bowl, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Baileys Irish Cream Brownies, Irish Cream Brownies, Boozy Chocolate Brownies, Fudgy Bailey's Brownies, Easy Baileys Brownies

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted gives you full control over the saltiness; plus, it melts beautifully for that fudgy base.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownies without adding moisture.
Cocoa powder: I recommend Dutch-processed for a smoother, less acidic flavor, but natural works too.
Baileys Irish Cream: This brings the magic! Use your favorite Irish cream—full fat and original flavor gives the best results.
Kosher salt: A pinch helps bring out all the chocolatey goodness.
Large eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture, helping those brownies stay dense but tender.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors without stealing the spotlight.
Semisweet chocolate chips: These add bursts of melty chocolate inside every bite.
All-purpose flour: Just enough to hold everything together without drying out.
Cream cheese: For the frosting, creamy and at room temp is key for smooth, fluffy results.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting beautifully.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best things about this Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own tweaks. I love experimenting with mix-ins and sometimes swapping out ingredients to suit my mood or dietary needs—you should definitely try it your way!

Add nuts: I sometimes toss in chopped toasted walnuts or pecans for a nice crunch and extra texture that my family adores.
Use dark chocolate chips: If you prefer a richer chocolate flavor, this substitution amps up the intensity beautifully.
Make it gluten-free: Swap in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to accommodate gluten sensitivities—I’ve done this and loved the results.
Skip the frosting: If you’re short on time or want a less sweet option, these brownies are still fantastic without the cream cheese topping.

How to Make Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe

Step 1: Prep your pan and ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper—you want a little overhang on the sides to help lift the brownies out later. Then, give the parchment a quick spritz of nonstick cooking spray so your brownies come out perfectly without sticking. Prepare your butter, eggs, and cream cheese ahead of time to ensure they’re at room temperature for smooth mixing.

Step 2: Make the fudgy Baileys brownie batter

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until fully liquid—no need to brown it, just melted. Remove the pan from heat and whisk in the sugar, cocoa powder, Baileys Irish Cream, and kosher salt until everything’s smooth and glossy. This step always feels a bit like magic to me—the batter looks silky and rich already!

Next, whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined. Now, gently fold in the chocolate chips and flour just until you don’t see flour streaks. Beware of overmixing here; too much stirring can make your brownies tough instead of fudgy.

Step 3: Bake and cool

Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan and pop it in the oven. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes—start checking at 22 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out almost clean with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. Overbaking is a sin with brownies, so keep a close eye!

Once baked, transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the brownies cool completely for at least an hour before frosting. This cooling step is crucial so the frosting doesn’t melt when spread.

Step 4: Whip up the Baileys cream cheese frosting

In your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature cream cheese, butter, and a pinch of salt on medium speed for about 3 minutes until smooth and creamy. I love that silky texture—it’s going to be the perfect complement to those rich brownies.

Reduce speed to low and gradually add powdered sugar, scraping the sides occasionally so everything mixes evenly. Pour in Baileys Irish Cream and beat on low until incorporated, then bump up to medium speed and beat for another 1–2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Step 5: Frost and serve

Carefully lift the cooled brownies out of the pan using the parchment overhang and place onto a cutting board. Evenly spread the frosting over the top—it’s okay if it’s thick, trust me it’s delicious! Then cut into 16 squares and get ready to impress your friends or treat yourself. I recommend refrigerating any leftovers to keep the frosting fresh.

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Pro Tips for Making Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe

Butter temperature matters: Melt the butter gently to avoid scorching, which can make brownies taste bitter. I use medium heat and stir often.
Don’t skip cooling: I learned the hard way that frosting warm brownies leads to a melty mess. Cool at least an hour!
Mix batter gently: Overmixing flour can create a cakey texture—I stir just until combined and it’s perfect every time.
Use parchment over greasing: Parchment makes getting the brownies out alive so much easier and prevents sticking.

How to Serve Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe

Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little flaky sea salt over the frosting just before serving—it adds a sophisticated contrast to the sweetness. Sometimes, I dust with a touch of cocoa powder or shave some dark chocolate curls for a fancy finish. Whipped cream on the side never hurts either!

Side Dishes

These brownies pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. I also like serving them alongside fresh berries to cut through the richness, especially when hosting dessert for friends.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered crumbled brownies into parfait glasses with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle for a boozy layered dessert. Another favorite is turning these into brownie trifle bowls with some chopped nuts and caramel sauce—totally show-stopping and perfect for entertaining!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep that cream cheese frosting fresh. In my experience, they stay moist and tasty for about 3 days—though they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, cut the brownies into squares first, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. When thawed in the fridge overnight, they’re almost as good as freshly baked. I do this when prepping dessert for big parties.

Reheating

If you want warm brownies, I suggest removing the frosting first, warming the brownie gently in the microwave for 15–20 seconds, then adding frosting or a scoop of ice cream on top. This keeps the frosting fresh and prevents it from melting into a mess.

FAQs

Can I substitute Baileys Irish Cream in this recipe?

Yes, you can use other Irish cream liqueurs or even coffee liqueurs as a substitute, but the flavor profile will change slightly. For a non-alcoholic version, try using Irish cream-flavored syrup or extract—just reduce any added liquid accordingly.
How fudgy should these brownies be?

These Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe brownies are meant to be rich and fudgy, not cakey. They’ll have a dense texture with a slight chew. Avoid overbaking for best results.
Can I make these ahead for a party?

Absolutely! You can bake and frost the brownies a day before your event. Just keep them covered in the fridge and bring them to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
What kind of pan is best?

A 9×9-inch square baking pan is ideal here. I always line mine with parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up.

Final Thoughts

This Baileys Irish Cream Brownies Recipe has become one of my go-tos whenever I want something beyond ordinary brownies—a little festive, a little elegant, and totally crowd-pleasing. I love sharing these with friends because they spark compliments every time. You can make them exactly as written or tweak to your liking; either way, you’ll end up with a delicious, fudgy treat that feels worthy of any celebration or cozy night in. Give this recipe a try—I promise it’ll become one of your favorites just like it did mine!