Bailey's Irish Cream Brownies

Name: Bailey's Irish Cream Brownies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 1 1/4 sticks (140g) unsalted butter; 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar; 3/4 cup (75g) cocoa powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 large eggs (cold); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/3 cup (80ml) Bailey's Irish Cream; 1/2 cup (60g) plain/all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup (90g) chocolate chips; 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter (room temperature); 2 cups (250g) icing/powdered sugar; 2 - 4 tablespoons Bailey's Irish Cream; Sprinkles (optional)

Bailey’s Irish Cream Brownies – Rich, fudgy chocolate brownies infused with Bailey’s Irish Cream and topped with silky Bailey’s buttercream frosting! This indulgent dessert is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any celebration.

A Bailey’s Irish Cream brownie sitting on parchment paper, highlighting its thick frosting and decorative sprinkles.

If you enjoy the rich flavour of chocolate with a hint of Irish cream, these Bailey’s Irish Cream Brownies are a treat worth trying.

With a soft, fudgy texture and a smooth Bailey’s-infused buttercream frosting, they offer just the right balance of indulgence and sweetness.

Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you’re in the mood for a little extra flavour, these brownies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Whether served with tea, coffee, or on their own, they’re sure to be a delicious addition to your dessert line-up!

Looking for more brownies? Check out my Peanut Butter Cup Brownies, Fudgy Vegan Brownies, and my 3 Ingredient Nutella Brownies.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Rich & fudgy texture – These brownies are ultra-chocolatey and perfectly moist, delivering that dense, fudgy bite every brownie lover craves.
Bailey’s in every bite – With Bailey’s Irish Cream in both the brownie batter and the buttercream frosting, this recipe is packed with a smooth and creamy flavour.
Perfect for special occasions – Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or just want a fun, boozy dessert, these brownies are sure to impress.
Easy to make – No complicated steps here! This recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients, making it perfect for any skill level.

A close-up of sliced brownies with creamy white frosting, decorated with green and gold sprinkles, pearls, and sugar rods.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to make these brownies. You can find my recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list with their amounts.

For the brownies:

Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture, creating a soft, fudgy texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownies while also helping to create a shiny, crackly top.
Cocoa powder: Provides deep chocolate flavour; use high-quality cocoa for the best results. I love and use Dr. Oetker Fine Dark Cocoa Powder.
Salt: Enhances the chocolate flavour and balances sweetness.
Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together and contribute to the brownies’ structure and chewiness.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the overall flavour of the brownies.
Bailey’s Irish Cream: Infuses the brownies with a smooth, creamy flavour and a hint of Irish whiskey.
Plain/all-purpose flour: Provides structure while keeping the brownies soft and dense.
Chocolate chips: Melts into the batter, adding extra richness and gooey chocolate pockets.

For the frosting:

Unsalted butter: Creates a creamy, smooth base for the buttercream.
Icing/powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for a light, fluffy texture.
Bailey’s Irish Cream: Adds a deliciously smooth Irish cream flavour while making the frosting silky and spreadable.
Sprinkles: Optional, but perfect for special occasions!

How to make Bailey’s Irish Cream Brownies

To make these brownies, simply place the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt into a large microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds.

Stir well, then continue heating in 30 second intervals (stirring after each one) until combined and very warm/hot to the touch.

A glass mixing bowl filled with dark cocoa powder and chunks of butter, set on a light grey surface, ready to be melted together.

A glass bowl containing a thick, dark chocolate mixture being stirred with a pink silicone spatula.

Add the eggs and mix well until combined. Mix in the vanilla and Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Fold in the flour until fully combined, then fold in the chocolate chips.

A bowl with a glossy, dark chocolate mixture, showing small bubbles, being stirred with a spatula.

A close-up of the rich, liquid brownie batter in a mixing bowl, with a pink spatula partially submerged.

Pour the batter into a prepared pan and spread out evenly.

Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until the centre is no longer jiggly and a toothpick inserted comes out almost clean with a few moist crumbs.

Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.

A lined square baking pan filled with glossy, chocolatey brownie batter, ready to be baked.

A pan of freshly baked brownies with a slightly cracked surface, cooling in a parchment-lined square baking pan.

Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until creamy.

Add half of the icing sugar and beat until combined. Add the remaining sugar and beat until combined. Add the Bailey’s Irish Cream and beat until light and fluffy.

Spread the frosting over the top of the cooled brownies, top with sprinkles, then slice and serve!

A glass mixing bowl containing smooth and fluffy buttercream frosting, with a metal spoon partially submerged, ready to be spread onto the brownies.

A close-up of the finished brownies in the baking pan, covered in creamy buttercream frosting and topped with gold and green sprinkles for decoration.

The printable recipe card with the full list of ingredients, their measurements, and instructions can be found at the bottom of this post.

NOTE: For best results, I highly recommend using the gram measurements (with a digital scale), rather than the cup measurements. Cup measurements are simply not accurate enough, and I cannot guarantee the best results if you use them.

Substitutes & variations

Unsalted butter: You can use salted butter if that’s all you have, just reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.
Granulated sugar: Brown sugar can also be used here. It adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and extra moisture for even fudgier brownies.
Bailey’s Irish Cream: If you want a non-alcoholic version, swap Bailey’s for Irish cream-flavoured coffee creamer or simply use cream with a little vanilla extract.

This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

A rich, fudgy brownie with Bailey’s Irish Cream frosting, held up to showcase the moist chocolate interior and chocolate chunks.

Leftovers & storage

Storage: These brownies stay fresh, stored in an airtight container, at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Freezing: They also freeze well (without the frosting) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before topping and serving.

The frosting can also be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 3 months.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these brownies without alcohol?

Yes! Simply replace the Bailey’s with Irish cream-flavoured coffee creamer or cream with a splash of vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic version.

Can I add nuts to the brownies?

Absolutely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds add great texture and pair well with the chocolate and Bailey’s flavour.

How do I know when the brownies are done?

Insert a toothpick into the centre—if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they’re ready. If it comes out wet with batter, bake for a few more minutes. The centre should also be no longer jiggly, just set.

Can I skip the frosting?

Of course! The brownies are rich and delicious on their own, but the Bailey’s buttercream adds an extra layer of flavour and indulgence.

Tried this recipe?

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and hashtag it #simplybakeblog. I’d love to see!

A tall stack of brownies with creamy frosting, revealing layers of dense chocolate and Bailey’s-infused sweetness.

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