Bailey's Irish cream ganache is a delicious, rich dessert topping that can be made in minutes. Ganache is a classic French chocolate sauce that can be used as both a filling and a frosting.
This ganache recipe is made with Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur. It's not only delicious, but super easy to make. Be sure to try this with our Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites, Banana Sheet Pancakes, Pumpkin Pecan Waffles, or ice cream!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Why you will love this recipe
You only need four ingredients, and the recipe can be whipped up in less than fifteen minutes. The resulting sauce is smooth, rich, and creamy, with the perfect balance of chocolate and Bailey's Irish Cream flavor.
It's perfect for topping cakes or cupcakes, or just eating by the spoonful!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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Ingredients needed
- Bailey's Irish Cream
- semi sweet chocolate chips
- milk chocolate chips
- heavy cream
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to make Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache
This ganache recipe actually doubles as a decadent hot fudge sauce also! It thickens up on ice cream wonderfully.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Heat the Bailey's liqueur
You can do this step with the microwave or on the stove top.
- Pour your Bailey's Irish Cream in a microwave safe bowl or pitcher. Measure out your chocolate chips.
- Add the chocolate chips directly to the heated Bailey's liqueur.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post
Melt the chocolate chips
Depending on how cold a day it is, you may need to do one or two 20-30 second microwave zaps to completely melt the chip. You want them to melt completely. Start with 20 second microwave zaps if you see tiny lumps after mixing.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (to keep the alcohol from evaporating) and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream and stir the mixture gently until it all comes together.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving suggestions
The consistency should be a glossy, shiny, smooth chocolate mixture. When thin, it is perfect for making the icing drips along the edge of a cake. Thickened, it is a filling or a frosting for cakes and other desserts.
Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache is a divine hot fudge sauce on ice cream and other desserts like our Turons, or Banana Lumpia. This decadent ganache is also perfect as a fruit or cookie fondue.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
You can substitute the Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur with heavy cream, if you prefer a non alcoholic base. A Rum flavoring extract would be a great way for this ganache to stay non alcoholic also.
Variations
We used both milk chocolate and semi sweet chocolate chips. You could use white chocolate chips, or all semi sweet chocolate chips for different chocolate intensities. White chocolate ganache would be beautiful dripping down a dark chocolate cake! Or, as a white chocolate sauce.
Additionally, there are many other flavors of liqueur, from Hazelnut, Orange, Coffee, and more. The variations are exciting! Another favorite is my Amaretto Chocolate Fudge Sauce, which is also this type of ganache chocolate topping. Put it in small jars and give it as a Holiday gift!
Equipment
- 4 oz Ball Canning jars
- 8 oz Ball Canning jars
You will want to share your Bailey's Irish Cream or other variations of this ganache. Small Ball Canning jars are just perfect for this.
Top Tips
- Bring the heavy cream to room temperature before adding so it does not 'shock' and stiffen the partially mixed ganache.
- Fill 4 oz jars while still fluid, this ganache makes a luscious gift as Bailey's Hot Fudge Sauce!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can! Just let it come to room temperature. Don't rush defrosting with the microwave.
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📖 Recipe
Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
- 1 cup Semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup Milk chocolate chips
- ⅛ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Heat Bailey's Irish Cream over stove top until hot, or in the microwave for 45 seconds.8 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
- Measure out the chocolate chips into a glass bowl.1 cup Semi sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup Milk chocolate chips
- Pour warmed Irish Cream over the chocolate chips.
- Cover with plastic film wrap and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream and slowly stir the mixture together with a rubber spatula.⅛ cup heavy cream
- Keep stirring until the ganache comes together. (Depending on the temperature of the room, one or two 30 second microwave bursts may be needed to fully melt the chocolate chips.)
- Pour the ganache into pretty 4 or 8 oz jars to store.
Notes
- For a pourable ganache to use as a cake drizzle: Add to piping bag once ganache is the consistency of a thick syrup.
- For thick ganache to use on a cake: Place ganache in fridge to fully cool and it will become a thick mixture that is pipeable. Leave in fridge a minimum of 45 minutes or until it's the consistency you would like to pipe with. Add to piping bag when it reaches the consistency you prefer.
Nutrition
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Dahn says
This sounds so decadent! Love it.
Kelly Ayers says
from one Kelly to another, thanks for sharing this recipe! It's exactly what I was looking for to make filled chocolate candies.