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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Published: Jun 18, 2022 · Modified: Dec 10, 2022 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    clear class bowl full of ganache with spoon dripping ganache into bowl.

    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.

    vertical photo of clear class bowl full of ganache with spoon dripping ganache into bowl.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this recipe
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache
    • Serving suggestions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Top Tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
    • Connect with Smells Like Delish!
    • 📖 Recipe

    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.

    bowl of chocolate ganache.

    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.

    claer glass bowl with chocolate chips, a clear glass pyrex pitcher with bailey's irish cream, and some chocolate chips nearby.
    1. Pour your Bailey's Irish Cream in a microwave safe bowl or pitcher. Measure out your chocolate chips.
    hot baileys Irish cream in a clear glass bowl with some chocolate chips inside bowl starting to melt.
    1. 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.

    clear film wrap covering bowl of melting chocolate in hot Baileys irish cream with chocolate chips nearby.
    1. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (to keep the alcohol from evaporating) and let sit for 10 minutes.
    clear glass bowl with white spatula stirring irish cream into melted chocolate.
    1. 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.

    clear class bowl full of ganache.

    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

    Can you freeze this ganache?

    Yes, you can! Just let it come to room temperature. Don't rush defrosting with the microwave.

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      Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread
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      Dairy Free Blueberry Muffins

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    📖 Recipe

    clear class bowl full of ganache with spoon dripping ganache into bowl.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 6 votes

    Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache

    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 recipe is for a ganache made with Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur. It's not only delicious, but super easy to make. Try it with different flavors of Bailey's or other liqueurs for an extra special treat. Enjoy!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 188kcal
    Author: Kelly Bloom

    Equipment

    • 2 jars for gift giving or storing

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
    • 1 cup Semi sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 cup Milk chocolate chips
    • ⅛ cup heavy cream
    US Customary - Metric

    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

    Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword : Bailey's Ganache, Ganache, Hot Fudge, Hot Fudge Sauce

    Like this recipe? Be sure to share it, pin it, or add it to your collection! You can also post a comment below.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Dahn says

      January 01, 2023 at 12:20 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds so decadent! Love it.

      Reply
    2. Kelly Ayers says

      November 09, 2022 at 9:52 am

      from one Kelly to another, thanks for sharing this recipe! It's exactly what I was looking for to make filled chocolate candies.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Author photo for Kelly Bloom

    Hi, I'm Kelly! and I have a love affair with herbs & spices! Here at Smells Like Delish, I'm all about creating food that has three aspects: flavor, aroma, and texture - to create satisfying fare!

    More about me →

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