Call me an old lady but Bailey’s over ice has always been one of my “unwind” drinks. I love the flavor of Irish cream. So at St. Patrick’s Day, I seize upon every opportunity to incorporate Bailey’s into every recipe I can.
This boozy buttercream frosting is perfect for Irish coffee-inspired desserts because it’s a riff on my family’s famous buttercream frosting recipe that uses coffee instead of cream for the liquid. (Not a coffee lover? Even avid coffee haters like this frosting, so give it a shot before you write it off.)
This recipe does include actual Bailey’s Irish cream liquor, making it an alcoholic frosting and not suitable for kids. See Notes in the recipe below for a non-alcoholic version.
This recipe makes about 4 cups of fluffy buttercream frosting, enough to frost a layer cake or 2 dozen piped cupcakes.
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Bailey’s Irish Cream Boozy Buttercream Frosting
Sweet alcoholic buttercream perfect for St. Patrick’s Day desserts and more
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter, softened (1 cup)
- 1/4 cup cold-brew coffee or brewed cooled coffee
- 2 Tbsp Bailey’s Irish cream liquor
- 1 pound powdered (confectioner’s) sugar (approximately 4 cups)
Instructions
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Cream softened butter with coffee and Bailey’s.
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Add powdered sugar one cup at a time and mix on High speed.
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Frosting will be thick but fluffy, about 6 minutes of whipping on High.
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Frost as desired. Refrigerate leftover frosting for up to two weeks.
Recipe Notes
- If you want to make the same recipe minus the alcohol, use an Irish cream flavoring or Irish cream syrup instead of Bailey’s; just use 1 teaspoon instead of 2 tablespoons. (You may need to use 2 teaspoons of Irish cream syrup depending on the brand; taste to adjust.)
- For best results, refrigerate frosted baked goods after frosting. Remove from fridge and allow to come to room temperature before serve.
- If your audience is intimidated by boozy desserts, reduce the amount of Bailey’s in the recipe to 1 Tablespoon and add 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
I’m admittedly a frosting girl … and a Bailey’s girl … but this frosting is so good I could eat it off a spoon until I felt sick. It’s taking all my self-control not to go snag a spoonful of it straight out of the fridge right now.
What’s your favorite dessert liquor? Share your ideas and creations with #NeverDoneWithFun on social media and follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for daily ideas and inspiration! Spoiler alert: This frosting will be making a reappearance in another Celtic classic — Irish Coffee Boozy Cake Pops — later this week.
If you’re looking for more Irish-inspired fun for St. Patrick’s Day, check out easy gold cookie coins and leprechaun bait trail mix. Or, for a healthier twist on the holiday, blend a clean-eating mint shamrock shake smoothie for breakfast or dessert.
As they cheers in Ireland, Sláinte!
