The Ultimate Baileys Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe for Sweet Bliss

These decadent Baileys chocolate cupcakes spark pure indulgence with their rich, velvety essence.

Luxurious chocolate combines seamlessly with smooth Irish cream liqueur, creating an irresistible dessert experience.

Soft, moist cake layers promise intense flavor that melts deliciously on your palate.

Creamy frosting swirls bring elegant complexity to each delectable bite.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these cupcakes redefine ordinary moments into extraordinary celebrations.

chocolate lovers and liqueur enthusiasts will find themselves utterly captivated by this remarkable treat.

Grab your mixing bowl and prepare for a sensational culinary adventure.

Keeping Baileys Cupcakes Fresh and Moist

• Refrigeration: Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover the container with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent the cupcakes from drying out or absorbing other flavors.
• Room Temperature: Remove cupcakes from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow them to come to room temperature. This helps restore their soft texture and enhances the flavor of the Baileys frosting.
• Freezing: Wrap individual cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

Drinks That Pair Well with Baileys Cupcakes

• Pair with Creamy Irish Coffee: Warm, rich Irish coffee complements the Baileys chocolate cupcakes perfectly. The coffee's robust flavor and smooth whiskey notes enhance the dessert's decadent chocolate and Baileys profile.
• Match with Raspberry Liqueur: A small glass of chilled raspberry liqueur creates a delightful contrast. The fruity, bright notes cut through the cupcake's rich chocolate and creamy frosting, offering a refreshing palate cleanser.
• Serve alongside Espresso Martini: A classic espresso martini provides a sophisticated drink pairing. Its strong coffee essence and smooth vodka base amplify the cupcake's deep chocolate flavors and Baileys undertones.
• Complement with Dark Chocolate Stout: A robust dark chocolate stout beer mirrors the cupcake's intense chocolate characteristics. The beer's roasted malt and chocolate notes create a harmonious flavor experience that elevates the dessert.

Give Your Baileys Cupcakes a Flavor Twist

• Irish Coffee Kick: Replace Baileys with strong brewed coffee and add a shot of whiskey to the frosting for a bold, grown-up flavor profile.
• Nutty Chocolate Dream: Incorporate chopped hazelnuts into the cupcake batter and sprinkle crushed nuts on top of the ganache for extra crunch and depth.
• Salted Caramel Fusion: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce between the ganache and frosting layers, creating a rich and complex taste experience.
• Mint Chocolate Indulgence: Blend peppermint extract into the frosting and garnish with crushed chocolate mint candies for a refreshing chocolate variation.

Treat Yourself to Baileys Infused Chocolate Cupcakes

• Indulge in Rich Flavor Complexity: Baileys chocolate cupcakes deliver a decadent combination of deep chocolate notes and smooth Irish cream liqueur, creating a sophisticated taste experience that dances between sweet and luxurious.
• Master an Impressive Baking Technique: This recipe walks you through multiple layered steps like ganache filling, intricate frosting, and precise baking methods, allowing home bakers to elevate their culinary skills with professional-looking results.
• Celebrate Versatile Dessert Potential: Perfect for adult gatherings, special occasions, or weekend treat moments, these cupcakes transform an ordinary dessert into an elegant, conversation-starting delicacy that balances alcoholic sophistication with classic chocolate comfort.
• Enjoy Make-Ahead Convenience: Cupcakes can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, making them stress-free for party planning while maintaining maximum flavor and texture when served at room temperature within 2-3 days of preparation.

Essential Ingredients for Baileys Chocolate Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and soft texture for the cupcakes.
• Cocoa Powder: Gives rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cupcakes.
• Baking Soda: Helps cupcakes rise and creates a light, tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, tender cake texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a soft crumb.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture to the cupcakes.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances and deepens the chocolate flavor.
• Water: Helps mix the chocolate components smoothly.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, creamy frosting with perfect sweetness.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and smooth consistency to frosting.
• Shortening: Helps stabilize frosting and create a smooth texture.
• Baileys Irish Cream: Adds distinctive creamy, Irish whiskey flavor.
• Chocolate Chips: Creates rich, smooth ganache filling.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Helps create silky ganache and adds richness.

• Chocolate Sprinkles: Optional topping for extra texture and visual appeal.

Baking Baileys Chocolate Cupcakes from Scratch

Step 1: Prep the Oven Zone

Crank up your oven to 350°F (176°C). Grab a cupcake pan and line it with adorable paper liners.

Step 2: Whip Up the Butter Blend

In a spacious mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. This should take about 3-4 minutes of mixing magic.

Step 3: Egg Integration

Gently introduce eggs one by one, mixing briefly after each addition. Your mixture will look smooth and inviting.

Step 4: Chocolate Potion Creation

• Vanilla extract
• Water
• Cocoa powder

Blend until the mixture looks silky and rich.

Step 5: Merge Mixtures

Combine the chocolate potion with the butter blend. Mix thoroughly, scraping bowl sides to ensure everything gets incorporated.

Step 6: Dry Ingredient Assembly

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 7: Strategic Ingredient Blending

• First, mix in half the dry ingredients
• Pour in milk and blend
• Add remaining dry ingredients
• Mix until smooth

Step 8: Baking Adventure

Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full. Bake for 15-17 minutes until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool briefly in pan, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 9: Frosting Foundation

Beat butter and shortening until perfectly smooth.

Step 10: Sugar Dance

Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until creamy.

Step 11: Flavor Infusion

• Cocoa powder
• Vanilla extract
• Baileys

Adjust consistency as needed.

Step 12: Ganache Preparation

Place chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl.

Step 13: Cream Heating

Warm Baileys and heavy cream until just bubbling.

Step 14: Ganache Magic

Pour hot cream over chocolate chips. Whisk until gloriously smooth.

Step 15: Cupcake Filling

Core cupcake centers. Fill with luxurious ganache.

Step 16: Frosting Finale

Pipe Baileys frosting using a large round tip.

Step 17: Decorative Touch

Drizzle remaining ganache over cupcakes. Sprinkle chocolate bits if desired.

Step 18: Serving

Refrigerate until serving. Best enjoyed within 2-3 days at room temperature.

Cupcake Hacks for Perfect Baileys Flavor

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for ingredients to ensure consistent texture and flavor in your cupcakes.
• Mix Gently: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough, dense cupcakes; mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick at an angle to test cupcake readiness, looking for a few moist crumbs.
• Chill for Intensity: Refrigerate cupcakes to help Baileys flavors meld and intensify, creating a richer taste experience.
• Room Temperature Magic: Let cupcakes sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to maximize flavor and soften frosting.

Baileys Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Baileys chocolate cupcakes deliver rich Irish cream magic in a single bite. Moist chocolate layers mingle with smooth Baileys frosting, creating an indulgent dessert that whisks you to delightful culinary comfort.

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Ingredients

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Chocolate Cupcakes:

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (207g) sugar
• 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons (43g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder

Dairy and Eggs:

• ½ cup (112g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 6 tablespoons (90ml) milk

Other Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons (90ml) water
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Baileys Frosting:

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (460g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (112g) unsalted butter, room temperature

Cream and Flavor:

• ½ cup (95g) shortening
• 4–5 tablespoons (60-75ml) Baileys Irish Cream

Other Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (14g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate sprinkles (optional)

Baileys Chocolate Ganache:

Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons (75ml) Baileys Irish Cream
• 5 tablespoons (75ml) heavy whipping cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a cupcake pan with liners, ensuring even spacing.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cupcakes.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, gently blending after each addition to maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
4. Whisk vanilla extract, water, and cocoa powder in a separate bowl until achieving a rich, uniform chocolate mixture.
5. Merge the chocolate mixture with the butter mixture, thoroughly incorporating while scraping the bowl’s sides to ensure even distribution.
6. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate container, preparing the dry ingredients.
7. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk to create a silky, well-integrated batter.
8. Distribute the batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling approximately three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
9. Bake for 15-17 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge with minimal crumbs.
10. Transfer cupcakes to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature completely.
11. Whip butter and shortening until smooth and creamy in a large mixing bowl.
12. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, creating a stable frosting base.
13. Blend cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and Baileys into the frosting, adjusting consistency as needed.
14. Using a cupcake corer, remove centers of cooled cupcakes to prepare for filling.
15. Prepare ganache by combining heated cream and Baileys with chocolate chips, whisking until glossy and smooth.
16. Fill cupcake centers with the prepared ganache, ensuring even distribution.
17. Pipe Baileys frosting onto cupcakes using a large decorative tip, creating elegant swirls.
18. Drizzle remaining ganache over frosted cupcakes and sprinkle with chocolate garnish if desired.
19. Refrigerate until serving, allowing flavors to meld and frosting to set.
20. Serve at room temperature for optimal taste and texture, enjoying within 2-3 days of preparation.

Notes

• Elevate your baking game with these decadent Baileys Chocolate Cupcakes that blend rich chocolate and creamy Irish cream liqueur.
• Precise oven temperature and proper ingredient preparation are crucial for achieving the perfect cupcake texture and flavor.
• Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother mixing and a more uniform batter, preventing lumps and creating a silky-smooth consistency.
• Use high-quality cocoa powder and Baileys for an intense chocolate flavor and robust Irish cream undertone.
• When filling cupcake liners, aim for about 3/4 full to allow proper rising and prevent overflow during baking.
• Refrigerate cupcakes to help set the frosting and ganache, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving to maximize flavor and texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 396
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 60mg