Name: Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Cuisine: Irish-American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter 227g; 2½ cups granulated sugar 500g; 2 tablespoons canola oil 30mL; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 5 large eggs; 1 cup all-purpose flour 130g; ½ cup + 1 tablespoon Dutch-processed cocoa powder 57g; ¼ cup black cocoa powder 25g; 2 tablespoons malted milk powder 20g (optional); ¾ teaspoon salt; 4 ounces chopped baking chocolate or ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 cup salted butter 227g, softened; 4 cups powdered sugar 520g; 2 ounces Irish Cream liqueur 60mL; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate 113g; 3 ounces heavy cream 90mL; 2 ounces Irish Cream liqueur 60mL; 1 tablespoon salted butter 14g

Imagine biting into a rich, fudgy brownie that’s been kissed with the smooth, creamy magic of Irish cream—sounds amazing, right? This Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe is my go-to for when I want something indulgent and a little special, blending classic chocolate goodness with a boozy twist that never fails to impress friends and family.

The image shows a stack of two square dessert bars, each with three layers. The bottom layer is thick and dark brown, rich chocolate cake with some chocolate chips visible inside. The middle layer is a light tan cream, smooth and fluffy in texture. The top layer is a thin, shiny dark chocolate glaze. Around the stack, there are more of these dessert bars, also square and stacked, placed on a piece of brown parchment paper on a white marbled surface. Some loose chocolate chips are scattered on the surface near the bars. The background is softly blurred, showing hints of green and other colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe has a special place in my heart because it brings together two things that make chocolate desserts unforgettable: that deep, fudgy texture in brownies and the irresistible boozy sweetness of Irish cream frosting and ganache. Once you make it, you'll see why it’s a real crowd-pleaser.

Decadently fudgy brownies: The texture is rich without being dry—thanks to a mix of cocoa powders and a touch of malted milk powder.
Irish cream frosting magic: The frosting is fluffy and perfectly balanced, adding a lovely boozy flavor that's not overpowering but so satisfying.
Chocolate ganache finish: The glossy ganache on top not only looks elegant but adds an extra layer of chocolate richness and shine.
Perfect for any celebration: Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day or a cozy night in, these brownies feel special and festive.

The image shows square slices of a rich chocolate dessert with three visible layers. The bottom layer is dark, moist chocolate cake with a rough texture. The middle layer is thick and creamy, light tan in color, looking smooth and soft. The top layer is glossy dark chocolate ganache, shiny and smooth, covering the whole slice neatly. One slice is upright showing the side view of all layers, and other pieces lie flat showing the shiny top clearly. The cake pieces are on white parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with some small green cloth and green round decoration in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses ingredients that complement each other beautifully—the combination of butter, cocoa powders, and sugar creates a luscious brownie base, while the Irish cream in both the frosting and ganache brings a smooth, boozy sweetness that lifts the whole dessert.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter with a pale yellow hue, a neat pile of granulated white sugar crystals, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear golden canola oil, a tiny white ceramic bowl holding rich amber vanilla extract, five whole large brown eggs with clean shells arranged in a row, a small mound of all-purpose flour with a soft white texture, a small pile of dark reddish-brown Dutch-processed cocoa powder, a slightly smaller mound of very dark black cocoa powder, a small heap of light tan malted milk powder, a pinch of coarse white salt grains, a small pile of chopped semi-sweet dark chocolate chunks, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar like fine snow, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy off-white Irish Cream liqueur, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth, pale yellow salted butter, a small white ceramic bowl containing bittersweet chocolate chunks, and a small white ceramic bowl holding thick heavy cream -- all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Using high-quality butter like Kerrygold really deepens the flavor and richness.
Granulated sugar: It helps make that classic chewy, fudgy texture in brownies.
Canola oil: Adds moisture and keeps the brownies soft without weighing them down.
Vanilla extract: A splash brings warmth and rounds out the chocolate notes.
Large eggs: These bind ingredients and add structure, making the brownies dense but tender.
All-purpose flour: Provides the right amount of gluten to keep brownies firm but still soft.
Dutch-processed cocoa powder: Adds deep chocolate flavor and a tender crumb.
Black cocoa powder: Intensifies the chocolate profile and gives a rich color.
Malted milk powder: Optional but it boosts depth and adds a subtle toasty note.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
Chopped baking chocolate or mini chips: Melts into pockets of gooey chocolate bliss.
Salted butter (for frosting): Softened, and it brings creaminess plus a slight saltiness that offsets the sweet frosting.
Powdered sugar: Essential for smooth, fluffy frosting.
Irish Cream liqueur: The star of this recipe, adding that unmistakable creamy, boozy character.
Bittersweet chocolate (for ganache): Gives the final decadent layer a luscious texture.
Heavy cream: Blends with chocolate to create silky ganache.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about the Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe is how adaptable it is—you can easily tweak the frosting's boozy kick or swap in different chocolate types depending on your mood.

Variation: I sometimes swap the bittersweet chocolate in the ganache for milk chocolate to add a sweeter note, which my kids absolutely love.
Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, try coconut oil instead of butter and a dairy-free Irish cream alternative for the frosting—it changes the flavor, but still delicious!
Spice it up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder to the brownie mix gives it a warm twist that balances the Irish cream flavor nicely.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe

Step 1: Get Started with the Perfect Brownie Base

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F and line your pan with parchment paper. I like to use a 9×13-inch pan for a good brownie thickness, and one trick is to layer the parchment crosswise so you can easily lift the whole batch out later—trust me, it's worth the little extra effort.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Sugar for That Glossy, Shiny Batter

Melt your high-quality unsalted butter on low heat, then stir in the sugar until it starts to emulsify—this shiny, syrupy mixture is your brownie’s secret weapon for that beautiful, crackly top. Let it cool for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to loosen the heat.

Step 3: Add Oil, Vanilla, and Beat in the Eggs

Next, stir in the canola oil and vanilla extract to keep the batter moist and flavorful. I add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to make sure everything blends smoothly—this step really helps create that perfect texture.

Step 4: Sift in Dry Ingredients and Fold in the Chocolate

To avoid lumps and get an even crumb, sift your flour, cocoa powders, malted milk powder, and salt directly into the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula just until the streaks disappear, then stir in the chopped baking chocolate or mini chips—you want to keep those pockets of melted chocolate inviting in every bite.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Pop the batter into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes if you're using the larger pan, or up to 45 minutes for smaller ones. The key here is to watch the edges—they’ll set while the middle remains gooey but not raw. Let the brownies cool completely before moving on; rushing this step can cause your frosting to slide off, and nobody wants that!

Step 6: Whip Up That Dreamy Irish Cream Frosting

While your brownies cool, cream the softened salted butter until smooth, then gradually beat in powdered sugar, Irish cream liqueur, and vanilla extract. The frosting comes alive when whipped on medium-high speed for a few minutes—whip until it’s light and fluffy with a pale beige color. Make sure you scrape the sides so no dry sugar hides at the bottom.

Step 7: Frost the Brownies

Spread the Irish cream frosting evenly over the cooled brownies using an offset spatula for that smooth finish. This part is so satisfying—you’ll want to get those edges crisp and frosting nice and even.

Step 8: Make the Ganache and Add the Final Touch

Chop the bittersweet chocolate and combine with heavy cream and Irish cream liqueur. Microwave for 1 minute, then let it rest before whisking until silky smooth. Stir in salted butter last to add extra shine. Pour the ganache over the frosting and spread to the edges. If you’re feeling festive, sprinkle fun toppings before it sets—trust me, it’s worth it! Let ganache set for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Top Tip

From the first time I made this Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe I realized a few key tips could make all the difference between great brownies and unforgettable ones. Here’s what I learned so you don’t have to do all the trial and error yourself!

Butter and sugar emulsification: Stir butter and sugar on low heat until smooth and combined before adding eggs to prevent grainy texture.
Egg additions: Beat eggs in one by one to avoid curdling and ensure a glossy brownie batter.
Cooling fully before frosting: If frosting hot brownies, it’ll melt and run—patience leads to perfect layers.
Ganache resting time: Let the chocolate and cream mixture sit after microwaving before whisking to get a perfectly smooth ganache.

How to Serve Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe

Irish cream brownie - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple so the brownies shine: flaky sea salt sprinkled on the ganache brings out the chocolate and Irish cream sweetness beautifully. For a party, I’ll add festive green and gold sprinkles or crushed peppermint for a holiday twist.

Side Dishes

A big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream makes for the perfect pairing. If you want something lighter, serve alongside berries or a simple green salad to cut the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served these brownies stacked on a rustic wooden board with drizzles of caramel sauce and edible flowers scattered around for color. Another favorite is cutting into bite-sized squares and skewering with festive picks for easy party snacks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover brownies covered tightly in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh and ganache glossy. They last about 4-5 days this way and honestly, the flavors meld beautifully after a day or two.

Freezing

Freezing works great too! Just slice the brownies first, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer bag. When you want a quick treat, thaw at room temperature with the wrap on for a few hours to keep the frosting intact.

Reheating

I don’t usually reheat these because the frosting and ganache are best enjoyed cool, but if you prefer warm brownies, pop one in the microwave for 10-15 seconds—not too long or the frosting will melt.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of Irish cream liqueur?

Absolutely! While the classic brands work nicely, any Irish cream you prefer will add that creamy, boozy flavor—just adjust the amount to your taste.

What if I don't want alcohol in my brownies?

You can substitute Irish cream liqueur with Irish cream-flavored coffee creamer or a mix of cream and vanilla extract to keep that flavor without the booze.

How do I know when the brownies are done baking?

Brownies are ready when the edges look set and the center still has a slight jiggle but isn't wet. A toothpick inserted might have a few moist crumbs rather than wet batter.

Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that works well in baking. The texture might be a bit different but still delicious with the Irish cream twist.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I think the Irish Cream Brownie Delight Recipe is one of those treats that’s just downright joyful to make and even better to share. It’s my little secret to impressing guests without fuss and enjoying a cozy moment with something truly special. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked just like I am.