This is honestly the best Bailey’s Irish cream cake you have ever made. It’s a rich chocolate cake topped with whipped cream frosting. Even though it fits in perfectly on St. Patrick’s Day, you will want to make it every single month, all year long!
About a year ago, I stopped at our grocery store bakery and randomly picked up an Irish Cream Cake. Now I almost never shop at the bakery because I enjoy baking so much myself. But I just so happened to pick up this cake and it was good. Very good.
A few months later, I kept thinking about that delicious cake and stopped by again, but the price had practically doubled. I took that as a sign that I should try my hand at baking an Irish Cream Cake myself. The result is even more moist and flavorful and delicious than the bakery cake.
The Best Irish Cream Cake
I don’t make fancy cakes or desserts for everyday occasions, so Valentine’s Day was the perfect time to try out this recipe as a special dessert for me and the hubs. I barely tweaked the recipe at all because it was perfect.
A-mazing.
And thus I introduce to you the Best Irish Cream Cake.
The moist chocolate cake and flavorful real whipped cream frosting are so light, you’ll have a hard time saying no to a second piece of this Irish Cream Cake! And of course, it includes real Bailey’s Irish Cream, which gives the cake its perfect flavor.
{Hey, this mom’s not above the occasional adult beverage – sometimes you just gotta kick back and relax.}
And you would never guess how easy this from-scratch cake is to make. It doesn’t take much longer than whipping a boxed cake up, but it’s so much better!
How To Make Bailey’s Irish Cream Cake
I’ll often take photos to show you the steps for making a recipe. But this cake is so easy you don’t need me to show you a picture of flour and baking cocoa in a bowl.
Although, I do have to confess and warn you that you must add the sugar.
On Monday, I made the cake and it was just wrong. It was flat and weird and I thought I had burned it. Then it dawned on me – I had forgotten to add the sugar. #Fail. Apparently, that’s a pretty important part. {I totally blame the kids who were quite distracting that morning.}
How To Make Homemade Whipped Cream Frosting
Anyway, I did take a few photos to show you how to make the whipped cream frosting. Again it’s so easy.
Start by chilling your mixing bowl and whisk in the refrigerator. The cream whips better if everything is cold.
Begin whipping on med-high speed for 2-3 minutes. As the whipped cream slowly thickens, add 1/4-1/2 cup of Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Then gradually add 1/2-3/4 cup of confectioner’s sugar. The more sugar you add, the sweeter it will be, and the thicker it will be as well.
Keep whipping. It might take a while, but keep going. Believe me, this is why I love having a stand mixer. You can do this work with an electric hand mixer, but it isn’t nearly as easy.
The whipped cream frosting is done when it’s thick and holds its form. Look at the photo below – that is how you want your frosting to look.
That’s it! Now you just have to frost the cake.
Sprinkle on bits of broken-up milk chocolate chips for added color and flavoring. Yum!
Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
To prevent the cake from sticking to the pan, I suggest greasing the pan and then dusting it with flour before adding the batter. Another option is to lay parchment paper inside the cake pan.
If you run out of piping bags, you can use a plastic freezer bag. Just cut off the corner and use it instead.
That’s right – this is the best Irish Cream Cake you’ll ever taste. A-mazing. Did I mention it has real whipped cream?
How To Store Irish Cream Cake
Since this has whipped cream frosting, you are going to want to refrigerate this cake. Store it in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for about a week. I bet you’ll eat it up before that week finishes though.
Best Irish Cream Cake
The mouthwatering chocolate cake and flavorful real whipped cream frosting are so light, you’ll have a hard time saying no to a second piece of this delicious dessert!
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour, sifted
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup baking cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup oil
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (or sour milk*)
- 1/4 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 1 cup black coffee
Frosting
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2–3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4–1/2 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 1/2 cup chopped milk chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Beat the egg, oil, buttermilk (or sour milk), Bailey’s Irish Cream, and coffee together.
- Sift the dry ingredients together and add to the liquid mixture.
- Beat together for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour into two greased and flour 8 or 9″ round cake pans or a 9×13″ pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until tests done. Cool completely.
Frosting
- Beat all the ingredients together until the cream holds it’s shape and it’s a good frosting consistency. Frost the cake. Sprinkle with the chopped milk chocolate bits if desired.
Notes
*To make sour milk, add 2 teaspoons lemon juice to a glass measuring cup. Add enough milk to reach the 3/4 mark. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
© Musings From a Stay At Home Mom. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words and link back to this post for the recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 569
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 459mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 73mg
More Dessert Recipes
If you enjoyed this Bailey’s Irish cream cake with whipped cream frosting, then you enjoy these easy recipes next! They are some of my favorites.
- Gluten-Free Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Blueberry Dump Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Cherry Chiffon Cake
Save this recipe for later, by pinning the image below!
Source: Recipe credit goes to Food.com
© Living Well Mom. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words and link back to this post for the recipe.
Jenn @therebelchick says
This cake looks insanely delicious! Just one more reason I need to buy a bottle of Bailey’s!
Erika says
Ahh yes! I didn’t discover Bailey’s until recently when my brother introduced me. There’s no looking back now!
Amy Ma says
what is irish cream
Kathie says
It’s a liquor u wud purchase at a Liquor Store (in Canada anyways). There are several brands but the most popular is Bailey’s. It’s basically cream and Irish whiskey and is usually served either on the rocks or in coffee.
Tracey says
Does this taste of coffee its got a lot of coffee in it hasnt it lm not a fan can l change it for something else if its strong with coffee ta looks lovely but
Tracey
Erika says
No, you don’t taste the coffee.
Jane says
I made this cake for a potluck lunch since we are only a couple of days away from St. Patrick’s Day. It was absolutely delicious and everyone raved about it and wanted the recipe. I got quite a few “you made this?” comments. Yes I did and it was very easy. I’ve made a number of chocolate cakes over the years and I chose this one because another one I make from scratch has the coffee and buttermilk combo in it and everyone always loves that one. Will definitely make this again. The fact that it looks so elegant with so little effort is a huge bonus!
Clair Boone says
HAHAH Jenn! I’m right there with ya! Avoided buying one a couple of weeks ago as it was more than I wanted to pay but now I have cake to make too!
Jennifer Soltys says
This sounds so good I can’t even handle it. I need to find an excuse to make this ASAP! Hopefully it will look even 1/4 as good as yours. LOL
Erika says
Haha, thanks, Jennifer. It’s so easy to make it look pretty – whipped cream frosting is very easy to work with. But really, who cares about the looks? It’s going to get eaten quickly anyways!
kristin says
What a beautiful cake, almost too pretty to eat!
Erika says
Thank you, Kristin!
Candace says
Oh my, this is too pretty to eat…but I would. You had me at Bailey’s 😉
Erika says
Thanks, Candace.
Feliss (Two Little Cavaliers) says
Yum! I love chocolate cake with real whipped cream. Never had Irish Cream Cake before but adding Bailey’s to chocolate anything always has great results.
Erika says
I agree, Felissa. I’m the same way. 🙂
Nicole B says
Your cake turned out beautifully! I pinned it before even reading your recipe – based on picture along I want this cake. 🙂 The recipe (now that I have read it) sounds delicious. Chocolate and whip cream is a winning combo!
Erika says
Thanks so much, Nicole!
Mistee Dawn says
That cake looks so good. And I love Bailey’s! Thanks so much for sharing.
Erika says
Thanks, Mistee.
Susan says
I am sure my husband would love this! The cake looks amazing! I am now officially hungry.
Ellen Christian says
I love the way you decorated this cake! It looks absolutely elegant!
brett says
I’ve been great friends with bailey for a very long time. 🙂 over ice. not in cake. but now we’ll have to try a cake.
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says
This looks absolutely divine. I am a sucker for irish creme and real whipped cream. Perfect marriage.
Amber Edwards says
wow that cake looks absolutely amazing! And I LOVE the whipped frosting. That is my favorite. Though I’ve never had Irish Cream before. Is that a coffee cream or an alcohol of some kind? See, I’m so clueless.
Kathie says
It’s an alcohol. Basically cream and Irish whiskey. Very mild. Most often served on the rocks (with ice) or with coffee.
Brittany C. @ Mom. Wife. Busy Life. says
Your cake looks so delicious! I would have never thought to add the Bailey’s to it! I bet that adds some amazing flavor!
candice says
this looks insane. my mom’s birthday is next week and now i know for sure what cake i’m going to make. photos are beautiful!
Carly Peterson says
This cake looks fantastic. When I really want to spend my calories on something sweet, it has to be on something super good! This looks like it could definitely be worth the calories :)! Thanks for sharing and those really are beautiful photos!
Mindy Grant says
Oh, what an absolutely gorgeous cake! I have always dreamed of being a cake decorator, but I just don’t have the steady hand for it. My cakes always come out looking sloppy. I still make them, though, because I love to eat them! I’ll definitely try this recipe as I love Bailey’s!!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
Thats’ it – this is the next cake I’m making! I love your photos but I bet the taste is phenomenal!! the only question is, do I have to have an excuse to make it OR can i just make it and eat it myself? 😉
Pam says
That looks delicious! Just looking at the pictures is making my mouth water.
Courtney says
Call me crazy, I’ve never had any “Booze” in my life. This does look incredibly delicious though 🙂
Tammilee says
Excuse me while I wipe away the drool I am experiencing looking at this cake. I have never baked with Irish Cream but I am going to now. I just happen to have a fresh bottle in the kitchen that I will be using to make this recipe. YUM!
Jodi @ A Mom Having Fun says
Wow, you did such an amazing job decorating that cake! It looks so beautiful…and yummy!
Pauline Cabrera says
I am adding this to one of my favorite recipes! I can’t stop but drool with the photos. It is totally delicious and so yummy. I just hope I can make my baking as well as yours. Kudos! 🙂
Keara B. says
Holy cow, this looks amazing. I looove Bailey’s. (I’m Irish so it’s inevitable, right?) I think I might have to run some unplanned errands today just to get some irish cream and cocoa for the cake. Thank you so much for sharing!
Erika says
Hi Patricia, you can certainly try this without the Irish Cream, but it’s not going to have that amazing flavor that makes the cake so delicious. It will instead be more of a basic chocolate cake. But again, you could try it!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Jenny says
Did you use regular coffee or instant?
Marita says
Looks delicious and am thinking it will be great for St. Patrick’s day! Once it is frosted, does it need to be refrigerated? Just wondering if the whipped cream frosting can be made much in advance.
Danielle says
Yum! That looks so good, and anything with Bailey’s is a winner! I’d love for you to link up at my new party Idea Box! Check it out if you have a chance. 🙂
http://sundaesandspaghetti.blogspot.com/2015/03/idea-box-linkup-1.html
Cecilia says
Hello there! I’ve just made this cake for a bride shower tomorrow. We haven’t eaten it yet, but I tasted the cream and I must say I had to resist the temptation of not eating it all! Greetings and thanks from Uruguay south America.
Erika says
How fun! Thanks, Cecilia! Enjoy!
Marly says
Just made this cake, wow is it delicous and so moist. I congratulate you on this moist cake.
Erika says
Thanks, Marly. Glad you liked it!
Maria says
Hi! Going to try this cake tomorrow! I will be taking it to a friends house in the evening and need to bake in the morning… Will putting the cake in the fridge for 6 hrs plus because of the cream frosting alter the taste/consistancy/of the cake? Dont want it to go hard! Thanks!!
Erika says
You shouldn’t have any issues, Maria. Enjoy!
Carol says
I am so excited to find this recipe. It just sounds so beautiful and I have an opened bottle of Bailey’s that I would like to use up! This cake will be made PRONTO! cannot wait to taste it, and I am sure it will be a zillion times better than what I could get in any store or bakery!
Billie Ragner says
Erika, I contacted you a few moments ago to find directions for the Bailey’s cake but I found them.
Sharon McIlhargey says
Hi Erika,
Greetings from Canada. (Where we greatly admire Bailey’s Irish Cream & Coffee on our many sub-zero days!)
Wonderful recipe! So easy yet so elegant! My thanks in advance. Where did you learn cake decor?? Yours looks so professional.
I’m bringing this show-stopper to my boyfriend’s workplace on St. Patrick’s Day for the annual party. 9″ X 13″ double layer. Go big, go Bailey’s or go home! 🙂
Erika says
Hi Sharon, thank you for your kind words!
I worked part time in a bakery as a teenager so that helped, but I learned most of my cake decorating skills by experimenting at home. Good luck! 🙂
Bee Gianni says
I can’t wait to sample this. It looks and sounds fabulous;out and I’m pretty sure I won’t be disappointed.
Emily says
This cake is AMAZING!! I have made it for the past two years for St. Patrick’s Day, and my office mates LOVE it!
Erika says
That’s great to hear, Emily. Thanks for sharing!
Pamela says
Erika, are those two cups of flour measured before or after sifting? Recipe seems to indicate before sifting…)
Kaitlyn says
Can you make the cake and/or icing ahead of time (say two days) and store it in the fridge? Or is it better fresh?
Zeelomi says
Hi there. Is there any way to make a kid friendly version of this cake? I want to take it to an adults birthday party but there will be a few kids as well!
Erika says
You can leave out the bailey’s in the frosting and it will be kid-friendly.
Pat Landis says
I haven’t made this yet because I don’t know if I should use normal cocoa or dutch processed cocoa. If you pick the wrong one it can definitely have an effect on the rising of the cake. Can you please tell me which cocoa you used. I have both kinds, but prefer normal Hershey’s cocoa.
Erika says
I recommend normal Hershey’s chocolate – dutch chocolate would be too strong. Good question -thanks for asking, Pat!
Pat says
Thanks Erika, Hershey’s is always my preference too. I did not know until recently that one type of cocoa was alkali and the other one isn’t. Even at my age (70) I learn something new almost every day. I did make this
Bailey’s Irish Cream cake and it is one of the best cakes I have ever made. Thanks for the recipe.
Erika says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Pat! And yes, I learn something new every day too. We should never stop learning! 🙂
Cynthia Harrington says
I’m confused about the whipped cream. It doesn’t seem stable enough to even be spread on a cake. I whipped it to peaks then added the other ingredients according to the directions but it’s not solid at all. I even kept adding more confectioner’s to stiffen it up but it still has the consistency of a tub of cool whip that has been sitting out at room temp. If I spread this between two cake layers it will all just squish out. What did I do wrong?
Erika says
Hi Cynthia, that has happened to me before and it was because I didn’t whip it long enough. I would try whipping more. It also helps to refrigerate your mixing bowl and beaters (along with the whipped cream) because it whips more solidly when it’s cold.
How much additional confectioner’s sugar have you added? It’s possible you need even more.
Kristy Hartman says
Hi,
I am going to make this cake, it sounds awesome. I’d like to add some chocolate ganache on top. Should i do thinner layer of frosting on top or does it matter?
Thank you
Erika says
I’ve never tried this cake with chocolate ganache, but I’d probably do a thin layer of frosting first, let it dry a little, then drizzle the ganache on top. Good luck and please let me know how it turns out because this is a great idea! 🙂
Penny says
I only make cakes from scratch and since we were going to a ST Patrick’s day party, I, as always, signed up for dessert. Came across this. I did not decorate like the pictures but everyone just loved the cake. I used 1/4 C. Of the Baileys for the icing and i/4 cup in the cake. (Man is that stuff expensive!) I also used 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar for the icing. Personally, I like specifics when cooking, esp. when I am making it for the first time. Anyway, great cake and thanks for the recipe.
Erika says
I’m so glad you enjoyed this cake, Penny! Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
Bebe says
Baked this Bailey’s Irish Cream Cake yesterday. It is absolutely divine. Thanks so much for the recipe. It is definitely a Keeper.
Erika says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Maxine Rowe says
Best Bailey’s cake ever
Erika says
Thank you!