Get ready to discover your new favorite dessert. These Baileys Buttercream Brownies are the absolute pinnacle of decadent treats. We start with a base of intensely rich, fudgy chocolate brownies and top them with a silky, luscious buttercream frosting infused with the unmistakable flavor of Baileys Irish Cream. This is the adults-only dessert you’ve been dreaming of, perfect for holidays, parties, or any time you need a truly special indulgence.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe is designed to be straightforward and deliver perfect results every single time. The contrast between the dense, chewy brownie and the light, creamy frosting is simply divine.
Why This Baileys Buttercream Brownies Recipe is a Must-Try
You’ll fall in love with this recipe from the very first bite. The brownies are deeply chocolatey, made with both melted chocolate and cocoa powder for a complex flavor. They have that perfect crinkly top and an ultra-fudgy interior. But the real star is the buttercream. It’s not just sweet; the Baileys Irish Cream adds a warm, creamy, and slightly boozy note that elevates these from simple brownies to a gourmet dessert experience. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
This recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can dress it up for a fancy dinner party or keep it simple for a cozy night in. Looking for a perfect holiday treat? Consider making these alongside some festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Baileys Brownies
Achieving the perfect texture and flavor comes down to using the right ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create these unforgettable treats.
For the Fudgy Brownies
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter is the secret to a fudgy, dense texture rather than a cakey one.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to that classic crinkly brownie top.
- Eggs: Act as a binder and add richness and moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Unsweetened Chocolate: Use a good quality baking chocolate, melted, for the richest flavor base.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure. Be careful not to overmeasure!
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds a deeper layer of chocolate flavor.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
For the Silky Baileys Buttercream
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for the creamiest frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Sift it to avoid any lumps for an ultra-smooth consistency.
- Baileys Irish Cream: The star ingredient! You can add a little more or less to control the flavor intensity.
- Vanilla Extract: Complements the Baileys and butter flavors.
- A Pinch of Salt: Cuts through the sweetness.
How to Make Baileys Buttercream Brownies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to bake the most incredible boozy brownies you’ve ever had. We’ll make the brownies first, let them cool completely, and then whip up the frosting.
Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Batter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to easily lift the brownies out later. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Stir in the melted unsweetened chocolate until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough brownies.
Step 2: Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan. This is a crucial step – do not try to frost warm brownies!
Step 3: Whip Up the Baileys Buttercream
While the brownies are cooling, prepare the buttercream. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until it’s incorporated, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat for another 3 minutes until very smooth.
Add the Baileys Irish Cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix on low speed to combine, then beat on high speed for 2 more minutes until the frosting is incredibly light and airy.
Step 4: Frost and Chill
Once the brownies are completely cool, spread the Baileys buttercream evenly over the top. For the best results, chill the frosted brownies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the frosting to set, making them much easier to slice cleanly. Once set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan and slice them into squares.
Pro Tips for the Fudgiest, Most Flavorful Brownies
- Don’t Overbake: The key to fudgy brownies is to pull them from the oven when they are slightly underdone. The residual heat will finish the baking process.
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: This helps them incorporate more easily into the batter, creating a smoother, more uniform texture.
- Quality Matters: Use a good quality chocolate and cocoa powder. It makes a significant difference in the final flavor.
- Let Them Cool Completely: I can’t stress this enough! Cooling is essential for the texture to set and for the frosting to not melt into a puddle. For another dessert that needs to be perfectly set, check out this No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake.
Fun Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, you can easily customize it. For a festive touch, try adding some holiday sprinkles over the frosting. For an even more intense flavor, add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the brownie batter. Or, for a different kind of sweet and savory treat, you might enjoy these Rolo Pretzels.
Storing Your Baileys Brownies
Because of the buttercream frosting, these brownies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. You can serve them chilled directly from the fridge, or let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly before enjoying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. These brownies are a great make-ahead dessert. You can store them, frosted and uncut, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before you plan to serve them.
Yes, you can substitute the Baileys Irish Cream in the frosting with heavy cream or milk and a 1/2 teaspoon of rum or irish cream extract for a similar flavor profile without the alcohol.
Yes, if you’re short on time, you can use your favorite fudgy brownie box mix for the base. Just prepare the Baileys buttercream frosting as directed in the recipe and frost the cooled, baked brownies.
A crinkly top is formed when you dissolve the sugar well into the butter and eggs, creating a thin meringue-like layer on top. Whisking the sugar and melted butter thoroughly at the beginning of the recipe helps achieve this.
For the richest flavor, we recommend using a high-quality unsweetened baking chocolate bar that you melt yourself. This provides a deep chocolate flavor that balances the sweetness of the sugar and frosting.
More Decadent Desserts You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these Baileys Buttercream Brownies, you’re sure to love some of our other rich and satisfying dessert recipes. Indulge in some amazing German Chocolate Pecan Brownies or try our classic Hot Fudge Sundae Brownie (coming soon).
This recipe for Baileys Buttercream Brownies is a true showstopper. It’s the perfect blend of rich chocolate and creamy, boozy frosting that will have everyone asking for the recipe. I can’t wait for you to try it! If you do, please leave a comment below or share a picture on Pinterest!
Baileys Buttercream Brownies Recipe
Baileys Buttercream Brownies: The Ultimate Fudgy Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the brownies out later. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, then stir in the vanilla extract and the melted unsweetened chocolate until smooth.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan.
- In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar. Once incorporated, increase speed to medium-high and beat for another 3 minutes.
- Add the Baileys Irish Cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix on low until combined, then beat on high for 2 more minutes until the frosting is light and airy.
- Spread the Baileys buttercream evenly over the completely cooled brownies. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
For clean slices, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe it dry between each cut.
Store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
