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 chocolate 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, Coffee Biscotti, Banana Sheet Pancakes, Pumpkin Pecan Waffles, or ice cream!
Why you will love this recipe
You only need four ingredients, and about fifteen minutes to whip up this decadent Baileys Irish cream ganache recipe. The resulting chocolate ganache 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!
Jump to:
- Why you will love this recipe
- Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache Ingredients
- How to make Bailey's Ganache
- Adjust Ganache Consistency
- Baileys Irish Cream Ganache Serving Ideas
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Top Tips When Making Ganache
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- Related Recipes
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
- 📖 Recipe
Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache Ingredients
You probably have the ingredients, and if you don't have Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur, you can get it at Costco. You can also use their store brand for just as delicious results.
Here's what you need to make this Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache:
- 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 Ganache
This Bailey's ganache recipe actually doubles as a decadent hot fudge sauce also! It thickens up on ice cream wonderfully.
Heat the Bailey's liqueur
- You can do this step with the microwave or on the stove top. Use short bursts so your chocolate doesn't seize.
- 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.
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.
Adjust Ganache Consistency
Depending on what you plan to use your ganache for, you may want it thicker or thinner.
To make ganache thinner:
- Add more cream. The more cream you add, the thinner the ganache will be.
- Use a thinner chocolate. Dark chocolate is thicker than milk chocolate or white chocolate. If you use a thinner chocolate, the ganache will be thinner.
- For temporary thinning, warm the ganache. Heating the ganache will make it thinner.
To make ganache thicker:
- Add more chocolate. The more chocolate you add, the thicker the ganache will be.
- Use a thicker chocolate. Dark chocolate is thicker than milk chocolate or white chocolate. If you use a thicker chocolate, the ganache will be thicker.
- For temporary thickening, chill the ganache. Chilling the ganache will make it thicker.
Baileys Irish Cream Ganache Serving Ideas
The consistency for this Baileys ganache 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, macrons, 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.
Some additional ways to use this Baileys Ganache:
- Drizzled over cake or cupcakes
- Dessert Fondue with fruit and mini cake squares.
- Used as a filling for truffles or other candies
- Spread on cookies or brownies
- Made into frosting or glaze
No matter how you use it, ganache is sure to add a touch of luxury to any dessert.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions
You can substitute the Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur with only 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 in this Baileys Irish cream ganache recipe. 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.
For some additional flavor ideas consider:
- Chocolate Orange Ganache - Use some Grand Marnier instead of the Bailey's Irish Cream.
- Raspberry White Chocolate Ganache - Try using Chambord, or Torani Raspberry syrup for a fabulous white or dark chocolate raspberry ganache.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache - Make your own version of Nutella with either Frangelico Liqueur, Fratello Liqueur, or Torani Hazelnut syrup.
- Chocolate Amaretto Ganache - Amaretto Disaronno, or any almond flavor syrup will make my absolute favorite chocolate sauce!
Additionally, homemade jars of Bailey's ganache make some of the best housewarming gifts for friends and family. Pour into small jars while still fluid and seal with a gift tag.
Equipment
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.
Storage and Reheating
To refrigerate this Baileys ganache, simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
When you are ready to use the ganache, simply let it come to room temperature before using it. You can also warm it up slightly in the microwave or over a double boiler.
Top Tips When Making Ganache
- Bring the heavy cream to room temperature before adding so it does not 'shock' and stiffen the partially mixed ganache.
- Use high-quality chocolate. The better the chocolate, the better the ganache will taste.
- Fill 4 oz jars while still fluid, this ganache makes a luscious gift as Bailey's Hot Fudge Sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ganache is a rich, creamy chocolate sauce or glaze made by pouring hot cream over chocolate and letting it sit for a few minutes before stirring until smooth. It can be used as a filling for truffles or other candies, or as a frosting or glaze for cakes and cupcakes.
The most common ratio of chocolate to cream for ganache is 2 parts chocolate to 1 part cream. However, you can adjust this ratio to your liking. If you use more chocolate, the ganache will be richer, thicker, and more intense. If you use more cream, the ganache will be lighter, thinner, and sweeter.
Yes, you can make chocolate Baileys ganache with milk. In fact, it is a great way to make a lighter, more delicate ganache that is still rich and flavorful.
Yes, ganache can be refrigerated. In fact, it is a good idea to refrigerate ganache if you are not going to use it right away. This will help to keep it from spoiling.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
Related Recipes
Connect with Smells Like Delish!
📖 Recipe
Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache
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.â…› 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 pour-able 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.
- Did you know you can whip ganache? Yes, when it is in a still thin, but slightly thickened consistency, set it under your stand mixer on medium high and whip it. You can fill a pastry bag and pipe it with a star tip as a decorative trim on cookies and cakes!
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.